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Advent 3, 2023
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 17, 2023
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28
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Our Gospel reading today is some selections from the beginning of the Gospel of John, but lifted out of its context I think it loses some of its meaning. Just before our reading we hear, John 1:1–5 (ESV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Jesus is the Word. Jesus is the life. Jesus is the light. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There is a cosmic battle of darkness against light that has been going on for thousands of year. The darkness does all it can to snuff out the light, but the darkness cannot win against the light. Light drives away darkness, but so many do not understand the light so God has a plan to prepare the world for the arrival of the light.
John 1:6–8 (ESV) 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
John the Baptist is sent by God to be a witness to the light. You have heard this passage before, it sounds familiar, nothing really new here, but there is something a little off about this being a witness to the light. Why would you need to tell people about light? If it is dark and you light a candle, everyone can see the light of the candle. You do not have to tell anyone about light…unless…unless they are blind. A blind person would not know that you lit a candle in the darkness because they are always in the darkness. For a blind person you would have to tell them about the light.
The people of Jesus’ time are spiritually blind. They need someone to tell them about who Jesus is. Jesus is the light of the world, but Jesus does not glow in the dark or send forth beams like a searchlight. He is the light, but He looks like an ordinary man. John 1:10-11 (ESV) 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.”
John is sent to prepare the way for Jesus. He is sent by God to be the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’” John is letting them know about the light, which is Christ, and is fulfilling Isaiah 9:2 (ESV) 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”
John is the witness and confirms that Jesus is the Son of God. John 1:29–34 (ESV) 29 The next day [John] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” John is sent to prepare spiritually blind people for Jesus’ arrival.
You are not spiritually blind, you are a follower of the light. Now, you were born spiritually blind, dead and an enemy of God but now you are a baptized child of God. At your baptism you were given a lighted candle to show that you have received Christ…who is the light of the world. Live always by the light of Christ.
You know Jesus is the light. You know He is God in flesh who died for your sins and rose from the dead to conquer death. Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV) 14 “You are the light of the world. … let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” You are the light of the world, you know Christ is the light, but you still have blind spots.
Some of the younger folks may not know this, but when driving there are blind spots on the sides of your car. A vehicle passing from behind goes into the blind spot when it disappears from your mirrors but is not yet visible beside you.
I learned to drive in 1982 which does not seem so long ago, but the kids assure me that it is. Back then, in the 1900s, cars had amazing electronic technology like an AM/FM radio, maybe a cassette player if you were lucky. When I learned to drive, our family had a 1973 Ford Ranch Wagon and a 1980 Chevy Citation 4 speed. Somehow, neither of these cars made the cut to be classics.
When I learned to drive these cars, I was taught to always check the blind spots when changing lanes by turning my head and looking out the window. So far this technique has served me well.
Jeannette’s new truck has special blind spot mirrors that allow you to see cars on both sides in the blind spot, and it has blind spot warning lights on the mirrors if a car is in the blind spot, and an alarm sounds if there is a car in the blind spot and you put your blinker on to change lanes. I still turn my head and look out the window to make sure.
Spiritually, we all have blind spots. You know Jesus is the light of the world, but there is great temptation to let some areas of your life remain in the darkness. Like when you let anger fester and grow and you do not forgive the way that you have been forgiven. You hide your anger and lack of forgiveness in the darkness of your blind spot, but it does not go away. It is there, waiting to wreck you.
Or your blind spot of what you do online when you sink into the dark side of the web to indulge your lusts. Or your overindulgence in alcohol. Or your lack of generosity as your resources increase but your gifts do not. Or your prideful boasting that causes you to insist that you are right. Or your disobeying of your parents. Or your cheating at school.
Today we hear about John the Baptist being witness to the light. You know Christ is the light of the world, but you still need to check the blind spots of your life and repent of those stubborn, hidden sins.
There is the blind spot this time of year of the expectation of finding fulfillment and joy in the decorations and presents and visits with family and having shattered expectations crowd out the true joy of the season found in the newborn Lord in Bethlehem.
There is the blind spot of looking at your fairly together life and comparing yourself to others who look like they are falling apart and thinking that you are a better person because of who you are and what you have done.
What is lurking in your blind spot?
Today we hear about John the Baptist being witness to the light. You know Christ is the light of the world, but you still need to check the blind spots of your life and repent of those stubborn, hidden sins.
You need the light of Christ. John 8:12 (ESV) 12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” And, Psalm 119:105 (ESV) 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
To know which way to go you stay in the Word of God and you stay active at church so you can keep checking the blind spot and making sure there is nothing lurking there trying to wreck you on your journey along the straight and narrow path to eternity. Keep checking your blind spot and repent and believe the Good News that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world...who takes away your sin.
For a long time in America it seems that we talked a lot about having a personal relationship with Jesus. This may have been well-intentioned to get people to turn away from the idea that they are saved because they show up at church a minimum number of times, or their names are on the church roster and they have put their hope for salvation in membership rather than in Jesus. While you do not want to put your trust in membership, the problem with talking about a personal relationship with Jesus is that it can sound like it is a good idea to be a lone ranger Christian, a do-it-yourself Christian setting up your own system of belief that fits you. It can lead you to creating a Jesus on your own terms; your own personal Jesus. A Jesus that says, “Have it your way.”
You never want to rely on church membership for your salvation but you do need to be a part of the church so you receive ongoing witness to the light of the world. You receive ongoing teaching as to the vital questions of, “who is Jesus?” and “what did He do?” You are admonished to check your blind spots and not let hidden sins fester and grow. Together, you encourage each other to beware of the traps of the devil, the world and your own sinful flesh.
Together, you follow Jesus. You do not walk in the darkness, you have the light of Christ. Keep going on the straight and narrow and keep checking your blind spots so nothing wrecks you on your way. John 1:5 (ESV) 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” You walk in the light of Christ… you are the light of the world. Amen