15 December 2010

Psalm 119:49-72; Isa. 9:8-17; 2 Pet. 2:1-10a; Mark 1:1-8

The self-confidence of the people is exactly what is being judged. They have not trusted in the Lord but in themselves and it is this that has brought about their ruin. As we saw before Ahaz was trusting in the protection of foreign kings and nations and here the people believe in themselves in ways that are reminiscent of the people of Babel in Genesis. They have forgotten that all that they have and all that they are has come from the Lord and He is their strength and their shield, their defense and their offense and until they return to Him they will continue to experience judgment. In spite of the promise of the first verses of this chapter, they will not see their fulfillment until they turn to Him.

Mark’s Gospel begins with John the Baptist as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. This Gospel is linked with the prophetic word of old, it is not something completely new and unexpected. John fulfills the role foreseen by Isaiah and Malachi for one who will come preceding Messiah to prepare the hearts of the people to receive Messiah. John’s message is unadorned and there is nothing but the message to attract people to him. His message is simple, repent of sin in order to greet the holy one. His message is for the Jews alone, he is preparing them to see the fulfillment of the promises of the prophets. John is clear that he is not the important one, that the one who will come so greatly exceeds him that he is not fit to even serve Him. Our mission is not unlike John’s, preparing the world to greet its creator and redeemer and judge but we can tell them how to prepare and how to know for certain they are prepared.

Peter speaks of false prophets as Isaiah’s prophecy was against those false prophets who lead the people astray. We tend to be relatively easy to lead astray if you promise the right things and practice flattery. We like to be told we are right not wrong and we have desires that if you promise they will be fulfilled we will follow you anywhere. In the church today we see this dynamic at work in the health and wealth gospel which is not a gospel at all, and in the blessing of sexual desires as not sinful but godly love. These preachers appeal to our carnal desires and pretend these are godly and many are willingly deceived. Others preach that our words somehow bind God if we are Christians when we are to be bound by God’s Word. We must cling to the Word and the Spirit which interprets the Word to us in order to remain in Him who is Truth. No matter its popularity or unpopularity, we must join Isaiah and John in proclaiming the truth of the judgment of God.

You have dealt well with your servant,
O LORD, according to your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.