June 24, 2001
|
|
|
|
June 24,2001 Gospel Luke 1: 68 - 80 A Father’s Joy How the Lord guides
Zacharias, who was a priest, had great visions for his son. He thought of him as a prophet and one who would prepare the way of the Lord. He should prepare the coming of Christ. Zacharias was very proud and happy because he and Elizabeth as elderly people at last gave birth to a son. Family and neighborhood gathered to celebrate. They asked about the name of the child. They were exciting about what this child would turn out to be? Zacharias did not hesitate to perform a premier-song about the event. It was a surprise to all that the child was named "John". No one in the family connection was called by this name. Was the father out of touch since he wanted his son to have a brand new name? The name "John" means "God’s gift" or "God is gracious". This was what the Lord told the child to be named and it was an expression of the parent’s gratitude and joy. Therefore, Zacharias sings a Hymn of Thanksgiving "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has graciously visited his people and brought deliverance for them". This event and Zacharias’ Hymn of Praise has a powerful message about God who intervenes and guides. He is the ruler of history and the one who takes leadership of human life. It is not always easy to see how God is acting. But it is Christian faith that God really is the one who controls the history and our life as human beings as well. He has the whole world in his hand. He has a certain goal for the history of the nations. The Bible testifies to this in many ways. You may just think of the Gospel for Christmas "At that time the Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire". The Bible also conveys many testimonies from individuals who share their experience of how God intervened and took leadership in their lives. From the Psalms just a few examples: "You guide me with your instructions and at the end you will receive me with honor" Ps 73: 24 "He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths, as he has promised" Ps 23:2-3 "The Lord says, "I will teach you the way you should go; I will instruct you and advise you" Ps 32: 8. " I will always guide you -" Isaiah 58:11 You can read by yourself from Isaiah 44: 1-5, a powerful message about God sending his blessing into every new generation. If we have faith in these promises it should give to us great joy and a feeling of safety. Life is not a coincidence. By his love God cares for his children and takes action in their lives that they might reach the final goal and have a safe journey home. In spite of this we do not always know the way. Life offers many difficult choices and decisions for us to make and sometimes very painful things happen to us apparently with no good meaning to us. But God’s word and his promises stand firm, and he will remain close to us and be with us always and he will always guide us on the right path. How is God guiding? His Word gives instructions for the good life. Christian knowledge teaches us about God’s will. When we pray and listen, he will talk to us. The advice from other people may be God’s voice. What occurs in our life might convey a spiritual message. This was the case of Zacharias and Elizabeth. This is what people always have experienced. This is not once upon a lifetime experience. The life pilgrimage is quite a journey and takes many steps. God’s way of doing this is to prepare us for the next. The entire life is a kind of preparation. God is working in many ways to lead us to Christ and to prepare us for his coming. He is coming today and at the end of time. This is how the Gospel for today says about this, "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace". Verse 76-79. About John it is said, "The child grew and became strong in spirit". This is God’s target in our life. In Jesus’ name.
|
The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church · 924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 · (612)874-0716 |