The Second Sunday in Advent

December 8, 2024

Luke 3:1-6

A Real Christmas—

A Real Christmas Is Rooted in Repentance!

1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
5Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
6And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’ ” (NIV1984)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Has it started to sink in yet? I’m talking about the pre-Christmas frenzy. Many of us have calendars that are filled with all kinds of Christmas events that we want and/or need to attend. Many of us have a Christmas “to-do list” that’s as long as our arm. Many of us might even be stressing over the fact that Christmas is just a little over two weeks away. And when we found out that our worship service today revolves around repentance, many of us may have groaned that we now have one more thing we have to do, one more source of stress as we strive to get ready for Christmas.

Today the Holy Spirit puts our hearts to rest when He reminds us that repentance is the opposite of work. Repentance is the candid and honest admission that the only thing our own work can accomplish is to distance us from God. Repentance is the bold and joyful trust that all the work that needed to be done has already been done— by the Child of Bethlehem! (Pointing to the cross)

Our goal today is to see that the call to repentance is a much-needed escape from our futile efforts to be and to do all that is “expected” of us. Rather than one more demand to do just a little bit more, repentance is God’s gracious invitation to set down our work in order to make way for His work. With that goal in mind, today let’s see that: A Real Christmas Is Rooted in Repentance!

The very familiar portion of Scripture that serves as our text for today begins in a way that would be very easy for us to overlook. Luke tells us, “In the fourteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar— when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.”

Why did the Holy Spirit make sure that Luke recorded the historical setting of both John’s ministry and by extension Jesus’ ministry? There are two answers to that question. The first answer centers on the fact that Luke wrote his Gospel account for a man he addresses as, “most excellent Theophilus.” Theophilus was either a Roman official, hence the title “most excellent,” or he was a person who had a prominent position and was wealthy. Luke assured Theophilus that he had “thoroughly investigated everything from the beginning” (1:3). Including the historical information about who was ruling where and when gave Theophilus the confidence that what Luke was writing to him was indeed factual.

For us these historical details assure us and remind us that Christianity is an historical religion. Luke— and all the other New Testament authors— are writing to us about real people and real events that took place at a specific time in history. The historical details that the Holy Spirit had Luke record for us dismisses any notion that either John the Baptist or Jesus the Christ were not true historical people. These historical details are yet another testimony to the trustworthiness of the inspired Word of God.

After establishing this historical context Luke then goes on to describe for Theophilus the ministry of John the Baptist. He writes, “The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

“The word of God came to John.” With these words Luke establishes John the Baptist as the last prophet in a long line of prophets that God had sent to proclaim God’s Word to God’s people. Like the prophets of old John did not take this mantle upon himself. Like the prophets of old John did not come up with the message that he was proclaiming. Like the prophets of old God gave to John the precise message that God wanted him to proclaim to God’s people! And what was the message that God gave to John to proclaim? It is the message that is automatically associated with John the Baptist right down to this very day! It is the Advent message that is focused on: “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”!

The word that is translated here as “repentance” very literally means: “to have a change of heart,” or “to turn from one’s sins,” or “to change one’s ways.” Repentance is a complete about face. Repentance involves turning away from our sins and turning toward the One who cleanses us from our sins. (Pointing to the cross) Repentance empowers us to change our mind about sin. Instead of finding pleasure in sin, repentance leads us to realize that sin only and always leads to eternal condemnation. Repentance also leads us to change our mind about salvation. We no longer think that we can get to heaven on the basis of the works that we do. Instead, we turn to Jesus and trust in the work that He has done for us. (Pointing to the cross)

Luke also very clearly states the saving purpose of John’s baptism of repentance when he says that John’s baptism was, “for the forgiveness of sins.” A more literal translation of this phrase would be, “for the purpose of the sending away of your sins.” Baptism is one of the “means,” one of the “tools” that God the Holy Spirit uses to take all of our sins, all of the “transgressions” that we have committed against God and “send them away— as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). Do you know what this means, my friends. It means that your baptism is not just a “sign” of forgiveness. It means that your baptism is God’s visible tangible guarantee that your sins are forgiven. It means that when you were baptized with water in the Name of the Triune God, you were baptized “for the purpose of the sending away of your sins.”

Now look at the second half of our text, verses four to six. Luke continues, “As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, “Prepare a way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.”’”

Luke quotes from the prophet Isaiah (40:3-5) to prove that the ministry of John the Baptist was a part of God’s eternal Plan of Salvation for this world. Hundreds of years before John was born Isaiah’s words beautifully picture John as God’s own voice, preaching God’s message of repentance in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Savior of all people. Just as a messenger was sent ahead of a king to get the people to repair the road on which the king was to travel, so John was sent out ahead of God’s Son to prepare for the arrival of Christ the King!

Note very carefully, my friends, that in both Isaiah’s and John’s picture it is God who comes to us, and not us to God. We cannot even meet God halfway! Also note that the “way” that is to be “prepared” must be perfect. Both Isaiah and John portray a straight, smooth and even road. This is something that only God can do— using His powerful message of both Law and Gospel. Only God’s Law and God’s Gospel can work the changes that are necessary in our hearts so that Christ our King can come in.

A Real Christmas Is Rooted in Repentance! How do we “connect the dots” between our theme for today and our text for today? While the specific answer to that question will vary from one child of God to another, there are some general truths that apply to each and every one of us.

First, let’s make sure we remember that last Sunday we focused on the fact that A Real Christmas Requires Remembering Why Christ Came into this world. The reason the Child of Bethlehem was born is summarized in the words that the angel spoke to Joseph: “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). The general truth that applies to each and every one of us is that we were conceived and born in sin. (see Psalm 51:5) The general truth that applies to each and every one of us is that we sin against the God of heaven each and every day. When we humbly acknowledge these general truths then it becomes crystal clear to us that: A Real Christmas is Rooted in Repentance!

Preparing ourselves to celebrate a real Christmas includes recognizing the fact that repentance does not come to us naturally. Repentance is something that our God works in our heart. Repentance is something that our God brings about in our lives— once again, through His powerful message of both Law and Gospel.

Using God’s holy Law as a mirror which shows us our sins enables us to put to death the sinful habits of our sinful hearts. And as you and I both know, those sinful habits die hard. It’s always easier to love and serve ourselves than it is to love and serve our God. It’s always easier to put our own needs and our own wants ahead of the needs and the wants of the people around us. It’s always easier to lash out in anger when someone hurts us, to return evil for evil, to repay injury for injury. It’s always easier to dislike someone and to cut them down rather than to love them and build them up. It’s always easier for our sinful heart to curse and swear, to lie and deceive by God’s Name rather than to use God’s Name to pray, praise and give Him thanks.

This is why repentance leads us first to the foot of the cross (Pointing to the cross) so that we can see and remember what the Child of Bethlehem has done for us. That’s why the life of a child of God is a life of daily repentance. That’s why repentance leads us to embrace the inspired words of the apostle John, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purity us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8, 9).

Once we have taken those general truths to heart, then in the privacy of our own heart we can fill in the specific details of how Isaiah’s words apply to us as individuals. “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” What is “crooked” in your life, my friends? What do you need God to “straighten out”? From God’s perspective are the priorities of your life “straight” or “crooked”? From God’s perspective are the goals of your life “straight” or “crooked”? From God’s perspective is your understanding of the difference between “needs” and “wants” “straight” or “crooked”? Whatever you might need to have “straightened out” in your heart and in your life, turn to the Child of Bethlehem and ask Him for the guidance and the strength that you need!

Isaiah also tells us, “Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.” Are you struggling with any “valleys” in your life? Do you ever get stuck in a “valley” of depression or in a “valley” of hopelessness? What “mountains” or “hills” are hindering your preparation for the birth of your Savior?” Is it the “mountain” of pride? Is it the “hill” of self-reliance? Whatever “paths” and whatever “crooked roads” need to be “straightened out” in your life, whatever “valleys” need to be “filled in,” whatever “hills” or “mountains” need to be “made low,” whatever “rough ways” need to be made “smooth” — whatever it is, the Child of Bethlehem can and will use His powerful Law and His glorious Gospel to achieve what needs to be done. Turn to Him! Trust in Him! He will not let you down!

Has it started to sink in yet? Have you started to feel the pre-Christmas frenzy? If so, then stop. Stop and take a deep breath. Stop and look beyond the cradle to the cross. (Pointing to the cross) Stop and look beyond the cross to the empty grave in the garden. Stop and remember that your preparation for Christmas is on a totally different level than the world’s preparation for Christmas. The world is preparing for one great big blockbuster day of indulging itself in all kinds of “stuff.” And when that day is over— it’s over. All that’s left of Christmas on December 26 is a big pile of wrapping paper and trips to the store to return unwanted gifts and maybe see what’s available in after-Christmas sales.

Not so for us. When we know that a Real Christmas Requires Remembering Why Christ came into this world, when we know that a Real Christmas Is Rooted in Repentance then for us Christmas continues on! For us Christmas continues on through Epiphany— the Christmas of the Gentiles. For us Christmas continues all the way through Lent, into Easter and includes the entire Season of Pentecost.

May God grant that we are indeed preparing to celebrate a Real Christmas!

To God be the glory!

Amen