Advent Devotions: Week 2 Thursday

Readings given are: Psalm 145: 1-4,8-13, Isaiah 41:13-20, and Matthew 11:7-15.


Jesus plainly tells us here, that John the Baptist was indeed a prophet for the people. John, He tells us is one of the great leaders of Israel. What does that mean Jesus is? For those who have ears to hear He is telling us that He is indeed the Messiah. The Son of Man whom the sons of Jacob have waited for a very long time, at the very least since Isaiah. And those listening almost certainly heard Him and understood that is exactly what He meant. But as we found out in the last few days, none of them expected Jesus to do what He did. Certainly none of them dreamed that He would end up on a Cross in Jerusalem. But as St. Paul tells us (1 Corinthians 1:18-19):

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Here St. Paul is trying to explain why so many of the people Jesus talked to didn't understand Jesus plan and message. Many people today still fail to see what he was trying to say. During this Advent season, we will prepare our hearts and minds to receive the message Jesus was born to give.

Let us pray:

Jesus help us to don the armor of light and spread your message to those around us by our example. Let your Spirit fill and inspire us so that all we do is for the glory of Your name.
Amen.