Psalm 118; Isa. 11:1-9; 1 Cor. 2:1-13; John 14:21-29
This passage from Isaiah is a prophecy concerning Messiah and we read it during Advent as we consider the situation in the world and long for the coming of Messiah to change it all and establish God’s kingdom for which we pray in the Lord’s Prayer. We long for the peaceable existence described in verses 6-9 where all things live in harmony with one another. The reality is so different from the fantasy that we pray with fervor that prayer that asks that God’s kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it already is in heaven. We want that life, now. Why would this passage be in our lectionary for Pentecost, are we longing for Jesus all over again? No, the passage is here today because by the power of the Holy Spirit we are to be the body of Christ, living lives that continue the work of Jesus. We are those upon whom the Spirit of the Lord rests, the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord. We are those whose delight is to be in the fear of the Lord. We are the ones who are not to judge by sight but by righteousness we are to be characterized by faithfulness. The kingdom of God should be seen in us and through the church, the body.
Wait a minute, I thought the new covenant was about grace and not keeping law? Jesus says several times here that keeping His commandments matters in the new covenant. Is this some sort of bait and switch thing? Entrance into the covenant is indeed through grace, eternal life is based on grace and not works but along the way, once we have entered the covenant, God has expectations of our lives and the way we live says something about what we believe and how amazing we understand grace to be. We are to be those whose lives are characterized by obedience to God’s will for human life. The old covenant has shown that fallen human nature is not able to live according to His commands but here Jesus says that we will have the Holy Spirit, whom He describes here as the Helper to enable us to live as God desires. It is always about grace but keeping the commandments of Jesus is to be characteristic of those who have received grace.
There is a difference between the wisdom of humanity and the wisdom of God. That does not mean that we cannot learn anything from human philosophy but we need to know the difference between the thoughts of man and the thoughts of God is vast (see Isaiah 55). Paul recognizes that the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus are a stumbling block and offense to human reason and yet this is the power and wisdom of God. Paul also asserts that we cannot know spiritual truth without a new Spirit. If we would know the things of God we must have the Spirit of God. If we are to advance in our knowledge of Him we need to ask for more of His Spirit to guide us into all truth. Do we live by the Spirit of God or the spirit of man? How can we change without a change of nature?
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity.
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