2008-12-07 Advent 2

Advent 2 “Be Comforted My People” Is. 40:1-11

In the Name of Jesus. Amen. “Comfort. Comfort My People.” Not a wish, a desire, a hope or a dream. This is God’s command spoken to the prophet Isaiah to speak to His people. Comfort is SO important to God that He chooses these words to begin the second half of Isaiah’s prophecy. Previously God had used Isaiah as His mouthpiece to speak of impending punishment and the need for repentance. Today God uses His pastors to do so. The Word of God’s Law is still necessary, for like Israel of old, we have become lethargic in our love for God and lazy in our worship. If you doubt it, consider how much time you spend on work, family and gathering around the TV compared to time spent in prayer and being gathered around God’s Word. God spoke seriously to Israel of old and still does, but today we hear Him speaking softly—telling out Good News—promising consolation, salvation and comfort through the Messiah who is to come. God’s people needed to hear these words—for though times were good when Isaiah spoke, soon they would be taken into captivity. Their bondage to sin would be illustrated by their slavery to the Assyrians and Babylonians. These words would bring them comfort. Like them we are also in bondage, slaves to sin. We are captive to materialism, and greed. We are selfish and self-centered. Though we may not know it, or care to admit it, it is true. Sin is all around us, and within us. It is easy to see sin and its effects internationally in places like Iraq or India or other countries still reeling from savage acts of terror. 1

It is easy to see sin nationally, people trampled under foot— literally due to the decadent desire to get a good deal—and figuratively due to the greed of a few which results in many losing their jobs, their homes, their livelihood. It is more difficult to see sin in our own lives, our own homes, our own community called Peace With Christ. But it’s here. Even you, dear children of God, experience the pain and hurt and suffering that comes from living as fallen people in a fallen world. We are born into sin, beset with sin, by the world the devil and our own fleshly desires. If it weren’t so, why would we, like the world, be seeking comfort in so many counterfeit sources? Why would we delight in popular placebos that promise to provide temporary escape from the pain and discomfort of daily living? For example, do we depend on pills, drugs or drink to get us through the day? During these tough economic times people have cut back on spending, and giving, with one notable exception. Can you guess what that is? Liquor. Yes, it appears that people are seeking comfort of the southern kind. Lutherans often make light of drinking—but addiction is no laughing matter. In my experience in the ministry many problems people have are either created or exacerbated by the use of alcohol and other drugs. They are one form of comfort, but not the only. Sometimes we seek comfort and consolation from people. It is good to be comforted by others—as we will hear later. But the comfort that is too often sought is beyond the ability of mere mortals to provide. We are incapable of serving as eternal saviors. It was a very difficult lesson for me to learn. Early on in my ministry I was counseling with a couple who had marriage problems. They shouldn’t have gotten 2

married in the first place. Love has a way of causing us to see only what we desire to see in other people. They had each brought their problems to the relationship, subconsciously, I am sure, hoping the other person could solve them. They couldn’t—and their disappointment and desperation brought them finally to me. I sought to help them—thought I could be their savior—but I couldn’t. The most I could do was to direct them away from me—and themselves—and to the font and source of comfort. To the One who does provide deliverance on a daily basis. To the One who came to give His life so that we can have life. To the One that Isaiah is directing us towards today. The Lord of Life and Savior from all sin—Jesus Christ. Isaiah speaks of Him in many places and in many ways. But here he prophesies of John the Baptist who would prepare His way; In verse eleven he gives a gentle description of the kind shepherd who will tend His flock, gather His lambs, carry them in His bosom, and lead the nursing ewes, and in the last chapter of this book The savior speaks in the first person--As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. The One who is Himself comforted as a baby lying in the arms of His mother Mary is the very One—yes the ONLY One capable of providing lasting comfort for us! What kind of comfort? The forgiveness of sins. Speak kindly to Jerusalem, and call out to her that her warfare has ended, her iniquity has been removed. God’s people would be delivered from their captors and returned to their homes. We have been delivered from our sins—from whatever is holding us captive. In Christ we lack no good thing, thus we need not seek comfort in making people or material things into our gods. 3

In Jesus Christ we have been rescued eternally—it’s called salvation—and is spoken of by Isaiah in a previous passage of his prophecy: You will say on that day I will give thanks to Thee O Lord; for though you were angry with me, your anger has been turned away and you comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid. For the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” This Salvation, while earned on the cross, is personally delivered to us by the Holy Spirit. Who, not surprisingly, is called The Comforter by Jesus. That is the meaning of the word “paraclete”—which you have heard as another name given to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives comfort to Mary when she hears the news from the angel that she is to be the mother of the Lord. “Fear not, Mary, for that which is conceived in you is of the Holy Spirit” The Holy Spirit gives comfort to the disciples after the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. And the Holy Spirit gives comfort to you. How? Through the Word! “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.” There are countless examples of God’s Word that are especially comforting: Psalm 23—“yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 46—“God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in time of trouble.” 4

John 16—“In the world you have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the word.” Romans 8—“All things work together for the good of those who love God. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.” Just a few familiar examples—but there are so many more to be found in God’s word, which is why the study of God’s Word is central in the life of every Christian. God’s Word provides comfort when we hear it proclaimed. John the Baptist was the voice of one crying in the wilderness. The sound of God’s Word that came from him was both harsh—speaking law; and helpful—speaking Gospel. But all of it was comforting for he was pointing people to Christ. The same can be said today. For what is preached from the pulpit may at times fall hard upon our ears like a hammer hitting stone; and at times falling softly upon our ears like the winter snow this past week fell upon the earth. The Word of God is comforting—for it shows us our savior and brings us His salvation. It is not only the pastor who speaks God’s Word of comfort—it is God’s people as well. You have been given the gift of God’s Word to speak comfort to one another. One of the “tasks” that some people sign up for in through HIH is to be a reader at some of the Sunday services. It provides people an opportunity to participate in the service. But there is a much greater opportunity, a much more valuable service that is needed in the church and that awaits each of us every day. It is the opportunity given each of us to speak words of encouragement to others. To share the Gospel with those who are hurting or in need of help, whether they be members of the body of Christ or not; whether 5

they be close friends or complete strangers. The people with whom the pastor may never come in contact, who we may never see in church, but that you see every day. It is your privilege, your calling, to speak God’s comforting word with them. Listen to what St. Paul says about this in 2 Corinthians—(Read 1:3-7 and expound) Paul makes it clear that we are to comfort others. But He also says that Christ comes to us in our suffering. For Christians it is acceptable to suffer—even to embrace it—for we know that it is then that we share in the sufferings of Christ that we are most comforted with His Gospel. Today is December 7th. A day that will, in the words of FDR, live on in infamy. For it was the day that Pearl Harbor was bombed and the US was thrust into WWII. Some of you might remember that day, the tragedy that occurred then and that would follow—and the comfort that was needed by all of those who suffered so intensely during those times. The president spoke reassuring words—“We have nothing to fear but fear itself”. Those words helped—for a time. But almost seventy years later we still live in fear of being attacked. Human words cannot erase that reality. And that is why December 7th is observed in the church for another reason—it is the day traditionally reserved to remember St. Ambrose, the Christian Bishop of Milan who lived in about 350 AD. He is revered for leading the church through the Arian controversy—and leading St. Augustine to the faith; Speaking not His own words—but the words of Jesus. He is remembered because of many of the hymns that he wrote which put God’s Word to music and provide comfort for the ages.

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Hymns like that found on page 332 of our hymnal—“Savior of the Nations Come”—the sixth verse of which reads “For You are the Father’s Son, Who in flesh the victory won. By Your mighty power make whole, all our ills of flesh and soul.” Comfort, Comfort my people. Thus says your God. Amen.

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