Matthew 6:33

Advent
December 16, 2014

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house…. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established forever. — 2 Samuel 7:10-11, 16

The Kingdom promised to David in our scripture today is the same Kingdom promised to us all. The book of Matthew takes great pains in listing the genealogy of Jesus tying him, not only back to David, but all the way back to Abraham.

In our scripture today, the One God, Creator of All People, Ruler over the Universe turns the table on David who wanted to make a house for God, but God in response promises to make a house for David and all his heirs forever. And God is building that house through his Son, Jesus Christ, who was also a son of David. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16) Our legacy through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is to be a part of the Body of Christ in the world today continuing that building project as we are actively engaged in developing the Kingdom of God now, while awaiting the fulfillment of this promise.

In such a Kingdom God’s people will live in their own places so we strive to help the refugees while trying to return their homelands to places of safety; evildoers shall affect God’s people no more so we work to combat oppression and injustice wherever we find it; and God’s people will rest from all their enemies so we work to assure that all people have opportunities to be self-supporting and self-sustaining, earning a living wage and laboring in safe environments away from hunger, disease, and lack of hope.

Prayer: Creator of all, if we are so privileged to not see the oppression all around us, open our hearts to the needs of those being oppressed. If we are among those who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, without clothing, sick, or in prison, give us the gifts of hope and perseverance. Make all of us whole and make all of us one. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.