Second Sunday in Advent: Gospel, Luke 3:1-14 

Luke 3:1-14 

Advent and Christmas bring wondrous readings from the Scriptures as the church gathers to listen with God’s blessing. The nativity narratives, the entry of the King into His city, and the linking of the people of God through both testaments. The gospel for Advent 2 is just such a reading. While the Savior here is an adult man on the brink of entering formally into His ministry, it awaits the announcement of His cousin-prophet, John. And John declares one of those links mentioned above.

Questions swirled about the Baptist’s appearing at the Jordan. “Is this the Christ?” Is this wild figure our Deliverer?” One can imagine the anticipation for the word of the Lord had been silent for four hundred years. At least no new light had come from heaven in that stretch since Malachi penned his Old Testament finale. But now cries of “Repent,” and talk of the coming Kingdom, calls to righteous living and connections drawn to the prophets must have had the people buzzing.

One line, just one quoted by John answers all the questions in my opinion and it comes from Isaiah 52. Made more potent by its position just before the declarations from Isaiah regarding the suffering Servant.

“And all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6).

God has made a promise to His people, indeed to all the world. The world of sinners for which He yearns. Amazing isn’t it? All flesh shall see His salvation. For the child to be born to Mary and Joseph, the One who is about to step into His baptism for us is God’s salvation. Veiled in His first appearing, there will be no such cloaking in His second. Our task now is that in living out our vocations and declaring the grace of God which we have received, those whose sight is still clouded may have open eyes and ears that hear His call and see His glory. God grant it.