2023 Advent 2

Throughout the story of the bible, things were not always going incredibly well for God’s people. In fact, the majority of the Bible deals with people who are in trouble, people who are broken, people who are oppressed, and so on. But in the middle of all of those, for hundreds of years, one thought would carry them. And that thought was of God’s promises. God promised to free them and restore them and to provide for them and send someone to save them and lead them. And this advent season, We are going to recount all of the ways in which God remembered and fulfilled those promises in Jesus. And as we do that, we remember that these promises are for us too. and just as the ancient people waited for the savior to be born, we wait for Him to return.

And today’s promise is the promise of a king.

Israel’s judgment and promise:

Our first scripture for today is from Isaiah. And in his day, Israel has had a pretty strong record of rebellion, disobedience, and terrible leadership. And it got them in huge trouble, it led them into captivity, it was their downfall. God told them this would all happen as a judgment against them for turning away from Him, to purify them, to refine them into a new people fit for Him. and as harsh as it was and needed to be, God did exactly that.

But the book of Isaiah is also a book of promises. Lots of them. And after that punishment has been dealt, God reminds His people of today’s promise as he calls them to look ahead and celebrate their coming king:

Isaiah 40:9–10 ESV

Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.

Do you know how good this news is? The people have been run over by another country, they have had this leader and that leader, some good, some bad, always the little country, Punished by God himself.

And now you’re telling me we are going to have a sovereign, supreme, all powerful king? A mighty ruler in the eyes of the nations? Someone to bring recompense, that is justice for us and against our enemies? Oh yes! God keeps promising this even though we all know the people don’t deserve it.

But that’s not all that this King is going to be. He’s not just powerful and mighty and strong! That’s what some kings like to portray themselves as these big, mighty, strong men. Even world leaders today with big military parades.

But this king is not like the others. Even though he is the most powerful, the most supreme, and doesn’t have to obey anyone, he still cares deeply for His people. He loves his them and he does everything for their benefit. Isaiah goes on:

Isaiah 40:11 ESV

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Of course we know who this King is. Because He is our king too. It’s Jesus. Here’s a fun fact, Christ means King, it is not the last name of Jesus, it’s his title. King Jesus.

And Jesus fulfills both of these prophecies and more.

Jesus, as the son of God and God himself, has all of the power in the world. Nothing is beyond his reach or ability. We know of the power of God from all of his works from the creation of the world to His miracles, to His act of salvation. God is powerful. Jesus is powerful.

We know that he is the one who rules over everything because he made everything.

But here’s how he is different. If there we a king who was all powerful, who was completely in charge, who had no one to fear and no equal adversary, how do we find Jesus arrested by his own people and about to be sentenced to death by a mere local governor?

And strangely, it is in one of the moments where Jesus seems weakest and the least in control, that he reveals to us that His kingdom is so far beyond our expectations that he doesn’t even seem like a king, and a the same time appears to be the greatest king of them all.

John 18:33–37 ESV

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

We know by His passion, by his arrest, trial, and his execution, that Jesus rules with perfect justice. He didn’t just sweep our sin under the rug, he didn’t just dismiss our guilt or cancel our punishment, instead he took all of those upon himself! So that we could be saved, and God’s justice would be carried out, all at the same time.

We know by his passion that Jesus is the good shepherd. He has come to us to save the lost, to heal the sick, to restore the broken, to adopt the orphans. He is the one who acts in our best interest. He is not a selfish leader, nor is he a sinfully proud ruler. He is at the same time a master and a servant. In a way no one else could be. Jesus is the promised King.

This is the news God’s people received,T this is why they are supposed to shout their joy from the mountains. Even in their rebellion, because God keeps his promises no matter what. His word is good. He is trustworthy. He still loves us. And we need to hear that today just as much as the ancient israelites needed to hear it back then.

Are we not always looking for the perfect king? An amazing ruler? The best representative of the people? How many times has that worked up to this point? Sure, some nations have supreme rulers with all of the power, but they are oppressive dictators, sure, some nations have elected rulers with checks and balances, but they don’t truly represent everyone and they have a hard time getting things done. And some people have no ruler, which technically makes everyone their own ruler, with no direction at all. But no matter what system of authority we have or who is in charge, absolutely no merely human authority has been able to rule with absolute power and justice and sacrifice for the people of this earth.

You know, even the Israelites thought they could find the perfect ruler, a great king, like the other nations had. And they complained to God about not having a cool king and how they wanted one really badly, and Eventually, God said yes. But little did they know they didn’t need a king because God himself was their king and their ruler. God was the one who led them in battle, God was the one who made them prosper and lead them for their benefit. That’s why God sent Jesus to save us, So that we would once again have God directly as our king, our ruler and leader. Because Human rulers could never measure up to God’s incredible leadership.

We are feeling that sting right now, in the middle of another impeachment process. Don’t worry, this is not a political sermon. No president can live up to God’s perfect standard. Or even people’s standards. So we haven’t found a perfect leader, but we are desperate for one. Aren’t we? Someone who will do everything the right way, for our benefit, and cannot lose his reign.

I want you to remember today that the God of Israel is our God. Their promises are our promises, and their king is our King. And our perfect, powerful, and loving King Jesus is ruling over all of creation right now and forever. All things are in His control. His Holy Spirit leads us and strengthens us, he uses His power for us.

So we don’t need to look for any person to be all of those things for us. We don’t have to depend on anyone who is flawed, we don’t have to put our trust and hope in anyone who is sinful.

This advent season we remember that we have Jesus as our King because God was generous enough to send Him. We celebrate that God has come through on His word. And we worship our king Jesus, who was humble enough to become like us and to serve us. May His power leave you in awe, his presence and grace comfort you, and His Word lead you as we continue to prepare our hearts. Amen.

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