GET READY - JESUS IS COMING!

(This is an abridged version of the preached at Epworth Chapel, Baltimore on 12/11/11.

Mark 13:32-37

I don’t know about you, but as I look around, I believe that God has to be up to something. With every act of violence, it is evident that God has to be up to something. With every war, and every rumor of war - it is very apparent that God has to be up to something. I sense that God is looking down on the disarray of our world, and God sees that there is a need to work in our midst.

I know that this might seem like “pie in the sky” optimism - but for people of faith – for those of us who are looking at the condition of our world through eyes of faithfulness - we know that God never leaves us hopeless. Even amidst the blues and the blahs of this world – we know that God never leaves us hopeless. For we know that where there is faith, there is always the possibility of life.

As is the case today, at the impending birth of Jesus – the world was likewise in turmoil. Rome had occupied Jerusalem – and had assumed control of the life of the persons who lived there. Persons were not free to worship their God.

The condition of the world at the Lord’s birth should remind us that suffering and oppression - the trials and tribulations of this present day – are not unique to today’s world.

Certainly, AIDS afflicts millions of children and adults across the globe. Violence of many types continues to afflict our communities. Drugs and addiction remains rampant among us. Corruption and scandal seems to pervade the corporate world, to permeate our government, and has even infected many parts of the church.

Many people find themselves in emotional and relational distress – looking for love and happiness in all the wrong places.

And yet - God sent Jesus. God’s divine love for the world was evident in that God broke into the human condition, and came to dwell with us in the person of God’s only begotten Son. In the midst of a broken world – Jesus (God incarnate – God ‘in-flesh’) came with a purpose. Jesus came to offer peace to the world.

And Jesus came with a promise. He promised that he would never leave us or forsake us – that whatever might trouble us – if we believe in him – he would be with us. (God Immanuel – God with us)

In Mark’s gospel, Jesus said, “Be on guard! Be alert! For you do not know when that time will come… what I say to you, I say to everyone, Watch, (keep awake) for I am coming.”

Jesus beckons us today to “Get Ready” for he is coming to be present with us.”

The season of Advent serves to remind us of the imminent coming – the imminent appearing - of Jesus.

Why do we need to be reminded of this today? Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it is easy for us to move – very quickly from Thanksgiving to Christmas – with no time of spiritual preparation in between. Indeed, it is distressing to witness how excessive commercialism and unhindered consumerism …. shopping malls and shopping frenzies …the media and the hype of the season have so many people hooked. Hooked to the point where too many persons have forgotten – if they ever really knew – the real meaning of Christmas – the true reason for the season.

Advent calls us to a time of anxious anticipation – a time of expectant waiting - for Jesus. During this Advent season, we should be expecting Jesus to enter into our lives in new and exciting ways.

Advent calls us to the discipline of waiting on God. If you know like I know, the discipline of waiting on the Lord is not easy. Waiting is always a test of our patience, and an act of ceding our need for control, to circumstances that are often out of our control.

If you’ve ever waited on a waitress… waited on a bus… waited on a plane, waited on a taxi-cab - you know of the difficulty of waiting and being patient. If you’ve ever waited for guests to arrive… waited for graduations to come… waited for diplomas to be earned…waited for a paycheck to show up…waited for a loved one to return – you know of the difficulty of waiting.

For those of us who have had to wait for a decision on a job application…or had to wait for a diagnosis in the midst of illness - we know that waiting is often filled with anxiety. Advent beckons us to the discipline of waiting on God.

And furthermore, Mark reminds us that as the Church – as persons of faith in Christ – as we wait on the Lord’s appearing, we are to prepare ourselves for his coming. We are reminded of our need to be spiritually prepared for Christmas.

Advent waiting is about doing those things necessary to prepare – to get ready – for the coming of the Lord Jesus into our lives.

As we prepare, spiritually, for Christ’s appearing:
• Let us commit ourselves during Advent to spending quality time with God – time in prayer, and study, and worship.
• Let us commit ourselves to spending quality time with family and friends.
• Let us commit ourselves to serving those less fortunate than us, and showing genuine concern for the least, and the lost, and the left out among us.

And as we prepare ourselves for the Lord’s appearing – as we ready ourselves for God’s advent in our lives - we can sing out loud with the confidence and assurance of the saints of God:

Come thou long-expectant Jesus,
Born to set the people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee…