The Third Sunday of Advent
Obedience and Faith
The third Sunday of Advent typically emphasizes joy in this season of darkness. We have joy over the coming of Christ. We celebrate the incarnation of God as a human coming to take away the sin of the world. Before joy, though, is obedience and faith opening our hearts to the presence of God's joy.
Zechariah
Read: Luke 1:5-25, 57-80
The Gospel of Luke begins with the pronouncement of John the Baptist's birth; the one foretold who would prepare the way for Christ. John's parents were Zechariah and Elizabeth, an older couple who were righteous and lived a blameless life. However, they had had no children, which was a difficult reality for them in their culture and time.
At the point when they were beyond hope for a child, Zechariah receives a message from the angel Gabriel, “‘who stands in the presence of God’" (Luke 1:19), who tells Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth will bear a son named John. Gabriel reassures Zechariah that God has heard his prayers, that God has joy and delight in store for him. John will "‘make ready for the Lord a prepared people’” (1:17). Yet Zechariah doubts, “‘How can I know this?’” (1:18), he asks. I love the angel’s response, “‘Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time’” (1:20).
Zechariah was terrified, and in his fear, he doubted God. Perhaps Zechariah had been praying for so long, he prayed without genuinely believing. And now, his consequence was silence because he believed God’s silence was already an answer. In the consequence of silence, there was also a gift, the gift of time. Zechariah had time to ponder Gabriel's message from God, reflect on his faith, and repent of his unbelief. Once the baby was born, John had another opportunity to be obedient. When the people asked what the baby was to be named, he wrote on a tablet, “‘His name is John’” (1:63), and then he opened his mouth and praised God.
Mary
Read: Luke 1:26-56
Juxtaposed with Zechariah's story is Gabriel's appearance to Mary and his announcement that God favored her, and she would bear a son named Jesus. Gabriel announced, "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end" (1:32-33). Such a startling announcement should surely bring absolute terror into the heart of a young girl, but we are told Mary was troubled and agitated but not terrified in the same way as Zechariah. Her questions were not founded in doubt but in awe and wonder. Upon hearing Gabriel’s answer to her questions, she simply replies, “I am the Lord’s servant…May it be done to me according to your word” (1:38). Mary responds to God with obedience and humility.
When Mary visits her relative Elizabeth, Elizabeth blesses her saying, “‘Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!’” (1:45). Elizabeth would have experienced the consequences of Zechariah's doubt and fear through his approximately ten months of silence, so she could recognize Mary's obedience and bless her for her faith.
Mary’s faith is extraordinary. She listens and obeys in awe and wonder. One of the first things Gabriel tells her is, "'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.'" (1:30). We are told in Hebrews 11, "Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For by it our ancestors won God's approval" (11:1-2). Mary found favor with God because of her faith.
In considering both Zechariah and Mary, I find myself reflecting on my faith. Do I believe God with awe and wonder? Or am I lukewarm, saying the right things but not truly believing God's goodness? So here, in the third week of Advent, let us contemplate our faith and continue preparing our hearts for the birth of Christ.
A Song: “When You Believe”
A Prayer:
Gracious God, you have done so much for us
And we so little in return
You ask for humility
And we are often a proud people
You ask for willingness
And we are often a stubborn people
You ask for repentance
And we are often a deaf people
You ask for service
And we are often a busy people
Gracious God, you want the best for us
Teach us obedience
Grant us forgiveness
That we, like Mary
Might be your willing servants. Amen.
