December 6: The Second Sunday of Advent
So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife. And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. And Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my servant to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me!†But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please.†Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her. –Genesis 16:3-6
Abram is a hero of the faith. There is no question about it and he is a major part of the great cloud of witnesses which inspires us to run the race set before us. Thankfully scripture includes stories of his fallibleness too. This is one of them. Sarai suggests they not believe the promises made to them and set out in their own strength and understanding. In a real way, she suggests they should justify themselves rather than wait on the Lord to do it. Rather than pastor her, Abram basically says, “Sure, whatever.”
Then, as these things are wont to do, it goes awry quickly and he has two very unhappy women on his hands. Rather than step in and pastor them both, he turns on the evening news, so-to-speak, and lets them go at each other. What a pastoral and family disaster!
Our Great Shepherd, our True Pastor, Jesus Christ is not like this. By his Spirit, he constantly reminds us of his promises when we doubt them and start leaning on our own understanding. After we mess it up, he gets involved and continues speaking to us in the word as it is preached. He never takes the hands-off approach, but leads us in paths of righteousness, because, after all, it is for his name’s sake.
And that’s the gospel. Come hear it preached and enacted in the supper with Jesus this second Sunday of Advent.
The related hymns we’ll sing are:
O Worship the King
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Sunday school for children (in Genesis) and adults (on Reformed Treasures) is up and running! Coffee and other treats are served at 9:15, teaching begins at 9:30, and we break to get ready for worship at 10:15.
Visitors are always welcome!