1st Sunday in Advent – Sermon 167

In the same way, when you see all this happening, you may know that the end is near, at the very door.’

Advent- is the start of a new church year – and the beginning of the first season in the Church calendar

a season when we anticipate Christs coming in to our world – and into our hearts-

but what is perhaps – surprisingly – for this first Sunday – we join Mark’s gospel not at the start – as we might have expected – but at the events leading up to the passion and death of Jesus

we don’t seem to look back to the beginning but forward to the end –

The first level of meaning – is about the imminent destruction of the Temple

He uses the parable of the fig tree to warn them that there will be crucial events – or signs – that will occur – when God takes back His ‘vineyard’ as He described in ‘the parable of the wicked tenants’-

God the vineyard owner is waiting at a distance – l sees His vineyard producing wild grapes-

So He sends His servants – the prophets – to warn them to put things right – but they beat them – and ignore His requests –

Then He sends His Son – ‘They will respect Him’ – – but they seize and killed Him – and fling His body out of the vineyard –

Jesus would soon fulfill this prophecy – when they crucify Him – outside the city walls –

What was the owner to do? – He will come and put the tenants to death – and give the vineyard to others-

The others in the first instance – will be the foreign armies – who will come and trample down the vineyard – when this happens the end is not far away –

The generation that rejects the Son’s message – will be the generation on whom the end will fall –
His word will stand – but all else will pass away –

The temple authorities and its laws – who had opposed and crucified Jesus – will feel the wrath of God – through the destruction of the temple building and the temple way of life –

The precise day or hour will be the owners decision –

The distress that will be caused – the climax of it all – the destruction of the temple – could only be spoken of in prophetic words –

‘The sun will be darkened – the moon will not give her light – the stars will come falling from the sky – the celestial powers will be shaken’

How else do you explain -what history – now records – untold hardship and misery on those that were left in the city – people starved – Jews killed Jews just for a few scraps of food –

Deceivers ran riot – leading many astray – promising rescue – and wonders – just to get a following – but all would come to nothing –

In the same year violence – murder and civil war would be inflicted on Rome – 4 Emperors would be murdered – and thousands of Jews crucified –

Many in Jerusalem would think – or wish it was the end of the world – but the fall of the temple will be the sign to the world – that God has vindicated Jesus as the true Messiah – the image of Jesus on a cloud – is about Jesus coming to God – after His suffering

Point 2          

But His message is not only aimed at the Christians – of the disciples generation – it also has a meaning for us today –

As we look forward to celebrating Jesus’ first coming – we must also alert ourselves to the significance of these words to His second coming –

the same words apply – but the vineyard now is the whole world

there will be no one after Him to give a warning

the generation that offends will be the generation that suffers

like the destruction of the temple – when it happens people will realise its significance –

‘ Yet about the day or hour no one knows – not even the angels in heaven – not even the Son – no one but the Father’

His message for us – like the first century Christians – is to keep watch – for the signs – and to stay awake –

‘for we do not know when the master of the house will come’

A tourist visiting the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy – came across a castle – and a friendly old gardener -who opened the gate and let him in

He showed him the grounds which he kept in perfect condition

‘When had the owner of the castle last been hear?’ he asked – 12 years ago – said the old man –

Does he ever write? – No
Who gives you you’re instructions-then? – Oh his agent in Milan
Does he come? – never!
Who comes here then? – I’m always here – said the gardener – and once and a while a tourist comes

But you look as if you keep this garden in such fine condition – that you expect him to come tomorrow –

Today Sir, Today!

Regardless of how we solve the mystery of signs and timing – Jesus urges us to keep His dwelling place – ourselves – in tip top condition – expecting His return –

Point 3     

Waiting for Christmas can keep some children excited and on their best behaviour for weeks –

Expectation is also on the lips of Isaiah – as he calls for God to reveal Himself again to His people

He reminds God – how He has helped them in the past – and He petitions Him to ‘come down’- to them again

but he knows that such an event will not be triggered – by prayer alone –
the barrier of sin must also be broken – through confession – and repentance –

Advent is – not just about counting the days to Christmas – it comes around each year to remind us – that we all need to start afresh – in our relationship with Jesus – to rethink where we are – and what we must do to grow and strengthen the bond we have with Him –

To make sure that when we look again at the Christmas message and story – we look again at our own situation and our own relationship with God –

We have a God who is faithful – and unchanging
and because of faith – we are given His grace –
a grace without bounds – free and endless –

God doesn’t expect us to be perfect – but He does expect us to offer – our hearts – and lives – to Him – so He can reshape us and make us His own

We are in a season that is dark and cold – and we need to turn it into a time of light and warmth –

It is one of the busiest times of the year – presents to be bought – friends and relatives to see – church services to attend – don’t forget tonight’s Carol service – but its also a time – when the Gospel message needs to be preached the loudest and the widest –

Paul rejoiced and gave thanks for the faith of the Christians at Corinth – Like them – we too – need to be reminded that – God is truly – on our side – and will – direct all our ways – increase our love – make it overflow onto others

Conclusion

Biblical interpretations of the last days – can stir up peoples imaginations- particularly when the Middle East or terrorism is in the news –

In todays Gospel reading Jesus shows us how to keep a balance by being properly informed and obedient to His instructions –

a fig tree has the fewest leaves in winter – so its obvious when the season is changing – in the same way Jesus tells us that the signs will be obvious when He returns – we just have to be ready – for when that day – arrives

Advent calls us back to the heart of what it is all about – to refocus our expectations on Jesus –

To be reminded – that the predictions and promises – that Jesus made – 2000 years ago – will come true – and to be ready – for when He calls –

Jesus brings new life on a world wide scale – He has opened the way to salvation to all who believe in Him –

Lets not waste any more time – lets make this Advent – the time when the Christ child really does become a new beginning for us all –