Thursday December 12 Advent 2
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Psalm 37 Part 1
It’s tempting to want to be as successful as evil people, but seeking God’s justice will fulfill us, and God will defeat evil completely.
Isaiah 7: 1-9 What’s Isaiah about?
Ahaz, the king of Judah, the southern part of the country around Jerusalem, is under attack by two kings of Israel, the northern part of the country. They have formed alliances with Assyria, a country that does not know the God of justice, hoping that Assyria will support and protect them. Ahaz is terrified of this unstoppable military alliance, but Isaiah is told to assure Ahaz that his trust in God’s commitment to Jerusalem will ensure he is not defeated.
Luke 22: 1-13 What’s Luke about?
The entire country is about to celebrate the festival celebrating their escape from slavery in Egypt. It is four days since the Roman army entered Jerusalem to head off the potential revolt which might be precipitated by the festival, and since Jesus arranged his simultaneous and highly popular peaceful entrance into the city. It is no wonder that the Romans with the cooperation of the religious leaders want Jesus executed. On the day before the great festival Judas is paid to betray Jesus. Jesus has arranged for his community of disciples to eat the Passover, the ceremonial meal commemorating the escape from Egypt.
This week’s collect:
Almighty God,
who sent your servant John the Baptist
to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah,
inspire us, the ministers and stewards of your truth,
to turn our disobedient hearts to you,
that when the Christ shall come again to be our judge,
we may stand with confidence before his glory;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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