Advent 2 December

2 December - 1 Sunday in Advent

“Don’t suppose that I came to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I did not come to do away with them, but to give them their full meaning. Heaven and earth may disappear. But I promise you that not even a period or comma will ever disappear from the Law. Everything written in it must happen.  If you reject even the least important command in the Law and teach others to do the same, you will be the least important person in the kingdom of heaven. But if you obey and teach others its commands, you will have an important place in the kingdom.  You must obey God’s commands better than the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law obey them. If you don’t, I promise you that you will never get into the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 5:17-20

Readings:

Psalm 103: 10-12,
Malachi 2:17-3,3a,5

Matthew 5:17-20

Reflection

Here we see a link between the Old and New Testament. In this passage Jesus makes it perfectly clear that He did not come to abolish the law of the Old Testament. Instead He came to fulfil it. This means that the entire law as articulated in the Old Testament finds its completion in the person and work of Jesus Christ

Indeed our Saviour is the “long-expected Jesus,” foretold and foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament. He is “Israel’s strength and consolation,” as they looked to Him for atonement for their sins, as we do as well. And He is the “joy of every longing heart,” because the only real relief for our deepest longing is a right relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ. May that joy transform us into men and women who rejoice in our Saviour’s first coming and gladly anticipate His second coming.

May that transformation direct our lives and impact our relationships. 

Prayer

Loving God,

I remember your coming again in Jesus Christ,

Your gift to humankind,  your sharing of flesh and blood and honouring of age-old promises.

I thank you for the reminder at this time of the year that you are a God I can depend on. May your Kingdom come—may you will be done.  Amen