John is preparing us, and God is preparing the way so that everyone may see salvation. Except in the gospel text for Sunday, the implications of John's proclamation aren't so comforting for everyone. We start in Luke 3, and the author of Luke takes painstaking measures to make sure we know exactly when and where this is happening. Again, theologian and scholar Mark Allen Powell writesEvery valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low,and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
from simonlucas.co.uk
Luke wants to emphasize that what he reports is of global significance. The birth of Jesus means 'peace on earth.' One implication of this emphasis is that for Luke politics and theology merge into one. The listing of political rulers (also in [Luke] 2.1-2) suggests that what God is doing has political, not just spiritual, significance. Or, to put it another way, what God does affects society, not just individuals. If we were reading Luke's gospel straight through, the Magnificat (1.46-55) would still be fresh in our minds when we read these verses. We would then realize that all the powers named in verses 1 and 2 have one thing in common. Some of them are Romans and some of them are Jewish; some of them are secular authorities; others are religious. But they are all going to regret the advent of Christ that John is about to announce.*
Woah - politics and theology merging into one? Whatever happened to separation of church and state? Whatever happened not mixing politics and religion? Yet there it is, in Mary's song of praise, He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
Mary's song clearly states that the rulers will be overturned and that those in power will be cast to the bottom while the lowly are lifted up. And yet this isn't even the most extraordinary aspect of these six, short verses in Luke. The amazing thing is that there is nothing anyone can do about it.he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
God has promised to come. God has promised to make a way. We often hear these words from John as an admonition to prepare better. Rather than worrying about the food, presents, cards, decorating, we should focus more on Jesus. Rather than spend money on gifts for our family we should spend money on those who need it. Rather than preparing our homes, we need to prepare our hearts.
The only thing is that with this thinking gospel turns to law. Anytime you add a 'should' or 'need' to a statement about faith and our relationship with God you have taken grace out of the equation. It is no longer anything that is freely given or without strings. So if this is about mixing politics and religion, and about preparing but not preparing, what is the good news and how is this good news for everyone?
The good news is that Christ is coming! And the even better news is that there is nothing we can, should, or need to do about it. God's work is to prepare our hearts. Our work is to be open to it. God's work is to bring about God's reign on earth. Our work is to watch for it, and see it when it happens. God's work is to bring Christ into the world. Our work is to enjoy Christ's coming.
And by this work, the work of God alone, Christ comes and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. So what do you think? Christ is coming! Is this good news for everyone?
*Powell, Mark Allan. Advent 2 - Preparing the Way, in Emphasis, November-December 1997. p 44
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