Advent: Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Isaiah 2:1-11

We see here a contrast between what God wants to do and what the people. He wants to teach the people His way. He wants to instruct them. He wants to help them to live in peace and love and righteousness. He wants good things for them.

The people want to consult idols and diviners. They want to do it their way. They want to walk by their own wisdom, not by Gods. They want their truth to be truth. Instead of coming humbly to God, they stand proudly on their own.

And, because of that choice, they fall into sin, and they will be judged. Today, will follow the wisdom of God's teaching, or the folly of our own?

New Testament Lesson

1 Thessalonians 2: 13-20

We see here that Paul commends the people for being imitators of other churches. There's an old saying that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and while I don't know if that is true, there is something to be said for doing what others are doing. If someone is Godly, watch what they do, and do as they do. If someone is mature in the faith, what what they do and do what they do. If someone is doing great things for the Lord, what they do and do what they do.

We, through must be aware, that others are watching us. Let us live in such a way where they can say, now that is a Christian, let me do as they do!

Gospel Lesson

Luke 20:19-26

We see here that they tried to trick Jesus, but He was able to see what they were doing. Friends, do we try to trick Him at times ourselves? Do we try to pretend that we are better than we really are? Do we try to portray ourselves as much righteous than we really are? He could see through them, and He can see through us. Let us not play games with Jesus, but come to Him as we truly are. And in that, He will give us the grace that we truly need for this hour.