Lectionary readings for December 8th

John the Baptist in the wilderness - made in Rouen, France (1510)



Isaiah 11:1-10. This is one of the many Old Testament prophecies which the early Christian Church reinterpreted as a prediction of the coming of Jesus Christ.  Without question it envisions a messianic figure born "of the stump of Jesse."  This colorful phrase refers to Israel's ancient hope for another king born of David's line. However, this passage was composed at least six centuries before the birth of Jesus.  

The passage includes a remarkable vision of a peaceful and just world over which the Messiah will reign.  This is the Shalom we shall be hearing about in sermons and Sunday school lessons through the Advent and Christmas seasons.
   Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 (UMH 795)  Another messianic poem, but probably written for some royal occasion such as the monarch's coronation or as a liturgical celebration of the new year when the king was reaffirmed as God's chosen leader of Israel.

Romans 15:4-13  The church in Rome in Paul's time included both Jews and Gentiles.  Paul appears to be justifying why Jesus had to be a Jew by quoting from the Jewish scriptures.  He also claims that this was so that Gentiles as well as Jews might be faithful to God through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 3:1-12.  John the Baptist appeared as the fulfilment of the prophecy in Isaiah 40 that the Messiah would be preceded by a forerunner calling Israel to repentance.  John's message was particularly harsh.  The baptism he offered was the symbol of a sincere repentance and moral renewal in preparation for the coming of the Messiah/Christ.

It is entirely possible that Jesus was not only related to John the Baptist as Luke 1:36 implies, but may have spent some time as a disciple of John.  In John 1:36 39 we also find that some of John's disciples left John and joined Jesus' followers.