Advent Hymn
1. On Jordan’s bank, the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Awake, and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of kings!
2. Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
Make straight the way for God within;
Prepare we in our hearts a home
Where such a mighty Guest may come.
3. For Thou art our Salvation, Lord,
Our Refuge, and our great Reward.
Without Thy grace we waste away,
Like flowers that wither and decay.
4. To heal the sick stretch out Thine hand,
And bid the fallen sinner stand;
Shine forth, and let Thy light restore
Earth's own true lovliness once more.
5. Stretch forth thine hand, to heal our sore,
And make us rise to fall no more;
Once more upon thy people shine,
And fill the world with love divine.
6. All praise, eternal Son, to Thee
Whose advent sets Thy people free,
Whom, with the Father, we adore,
And Holy Ghost, forevermore.
The Collect for Advent Sunday
(The First Sunday in Advent)
Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when He shall come again in His Glorious Majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to Life Immortal, through Him who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
The Epistle Romans 8:8-14
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbour.
Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light.
13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
The Holy Gospel of St Matthew 21:1-13
21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers”.
Bishop Ian’s Thoughts
Today’s Epistle Reading is taken from St Paul’s Epistle to the Romans Chapter 8, Verses 8-14.
In this portion of Scripture St Paul rejoices in the Truth and Blessings of the Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus, and, as a result of the Holy Gospel, he exhorts the Roman Christians to always show forth, in their lives, firstly, the love of God, and secondly, as a consequence of their love of God, love for all other people.
St Paul opens by issuing a command in the manner of the Lord Jesus:
“8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”
This instruction is typical of the commands given by the Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry. It is a positive affirmation of how a Christian believer should respond to the great debt of Love that every person owes to God as a result being redeemed by the Holy Blood of the Lord Jesus from all sin, both inherited and actual.
St Paul is restating the Lord Jesus’ teaching that just as we have been forgiven our sin, by His Work of the Holy Gospel, then we should readily and unreservedly forgive all who sin against us.
St Paul continues by reminding us of the Law of Moses:
“9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbour.”
St Paul then summarizes the quality, scope, and breadth, of Godly Love:
“Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.”
Godly Love is not a fleeting emotion such as the “love” expressed in many modern novels, films and TV shows.
Godly Love is an eternal, active, intellectual and emotive mindset in which Christians are bound to the Lord Jesus by belief, trust, adoration and motivation.
Christians must show forth this Love in their lives, and in doing so confirm the Truth of the Holy Gospel, before all people, and to serve God in whatever way He leads us.
St Paul urges the Roman Christians, and all, who read his Epistle to awake from the slumber, in which we previously lived our lives, and to prepare for the Glorious Second Coming of the Lord Jesus at the Great Day of Judgement:
“11And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light.”
Also St Paul strongly urges us to prepare for the Return of The Lord Jesus, and be found, at that time, good stewards, and vigilant watchmen of our Master.
St Paul’s exhortation to be prepared for the coming of their Lord reminds us of The Lord Jesus’ anguished request, made to His Disciples, to “keep watch” with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, as recorded in the Holy Gospel of St Matthew 28:35-45:
“36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
“39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
“40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
“42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
“43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.”
“45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
The Disciples were sadly lacking in this instance. Tiredness, and a failure to understand the importance and significance of the moment, took their toll on the disciples.
In a like manner the daily cares of our lives and our preoccupation with things of the present, can cause us to lose focus on the ultimate truth and consequence of the Holy Gospel, which is the return of the Lord Jesus to gather His Redeemed people, and to Judge all mankind, prior to the establishment of His Eternal Kingdom.
St Paul concludes today’s Epistle Reading with some very forthright warning against specific sins which can overtake the careless and unthinking person.
These sins can even be found in the Christian Church, so St Paul’s warning is for all people:
“13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy."
St Paul’s warning is followed by the means of protection and redemption from all sinfulness, given so that any believer who falls into sin can seek God’s forgiveness and be restored to a right and pleasing relationship to God:
“Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”
This is the great blessing of the Holy Gospel. We, and all other people, past, present, and future, who have believed, and will believe in the Holy Gospel are forever clothed in the Righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Even though we all continue to sin every day we will always be forgiven, provided we are penitent of heart, and ask God’s forgiveness for our sins, through faith the Holy Gospel.
God judges us by the Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus, in which we are clothed through faith in the Holy Gospel, and God’s verdict is always “innocent” on account of the death of the Lord Jesus, as payment for sin, on our behalf.
May God give us all penitence of heart, and strong faith in the Holy Gospel, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, Our Holy Saviour, and may we look forward, with anticipation, to His Second Coming, which brings about the end of this age. Let us also thank God that we, through faith in the Holy Gospel, are forever clothed in the Holy Righteousness of the Lord Jesus which makes us most pleasing in the sight of our Holy God. Amen.
Today’s Holy Gospel Reading is taken from the Holy Gospel of St Matthew Chapter 21, Verses 1-13.
In this portion of his Holy Gospel St Matthew recounts the triumphant entry of the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem where He was proclaimed, by many people, as the long awaited Messiah.
St Matthew opens His account by telling us of the Lord Jesus' procuring of a donkey to carry Him into Jerusalem:
“21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
The village “ahead of you” may have been Bethphage or Bethany, as these villages were quite close to each other. The donkeys that were tied up in the village may have been prearranged by the Lord Jesus. His instruction to the Disciples to answer, if questioned, “The Lord needs them” may have been also a prearranged answer.
St Matthew continues:
4 This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
The use of a donkey to carry the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem fulfilled the prophecy of the Old Testament Prophet Zechariah, as recorded in his book Chapter 9, Verse 9:
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
The status of the humble donkey was, without doubt, raised to the ultimate level among animals of transportation. Great horses may carry kings, but the humble donkey carried the “King of Kings!"
The riding of a humble donkey is in keeping with the humility and servant-like manner of the Lord Jesus during His First Coming into this world. He was born in a stable with sheep, goats and cattle watching on, and He spoke with humility and gentleness, but yet He spoke with Great Authority.
The Lord Jesus surrendered His Pure, Perfect life in the service, and salvation, of ordinary people, like you and I.
The Lord Jesus’ Second Coming will be in very sharp contrast to His First Coming.
The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus will be as the King of Kings, with power and great glory.
The Holy Gospel of St Luke Chapter 21, Verse 25-28 tells of the Second Coming:
“25 There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.”
“27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
The Book of the Revelation (of St John) Chapter 19, Verses 11-16, also tells of the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus :
"11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself."
"13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God."
"14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the wine-press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:"
"King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
The humble donkey, in today’s Gospel Reading, had a great story indeed to tell about his Holy Rider, that long ago day in Jerusalem!
St Matthew continues with preparations for the Lord Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem:
“6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.”
During the Lord Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem many of the people laid their cloaks (outer garments) onto the road, while others cut down palm fronds and laid them on the road. This was sign of a royal welcome, given by those faithful believers, as a sign of respect for the Lord Jesus’ arrival as the Messiah (Mighty Deliverer).
The great crowd that followed shouted praise to the Lord Jesus:
“9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
This passage of Scripture signifies that the Lord Jesus was being welcomed, by many believing people, in fulfilment of the prophecy that King David wrote, in psalm 118, Verses 22-27, of the welcome of the God’s Messiah:
22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
23 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
25 Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
27 The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
The word Hosanna means "Lord save us" or simply "save us".
"Hosanna" was a most appropriate greeting to the Lord Jesus Christ who by entering into Jerusalem was beginning His journey to the Cross and the Crafting of the Holy Gospel.
The Great Truth of the Lord Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, riding on a lowly donkey, was that God’s Holy Messiah had arrived, in fulfilment of all the ancient prophecies.
God’s Great Act of Deliverance of His people, The Holy Gospel, was unfolding before their eyes!
St Matthew records the enthusiasm of the crowd who asked among themselves:
“10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The answer was quickly given:
“11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Immediately on entering the city the Lord Jesus’ went straight to the Jewish Temple and drove out those people who were conducting commerce in the outer court (Gentile’s Court) area of the Temple:
“12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.”
The Temple tax, paid annually by all Jews who worshiped in the Temple, could only be paid in image free coins.
The exchange rate for the changing of foreign coins to pay the Temple tax, and the price for buying animals for sacrifice, greatly favoured the merchants.
This is the reason that the Lord Jesus drove them out is that they had literally made God’s House of Prayer, a “den of robbers.”
As we reflect on the triumphant entry of the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem on what is now known as “Palm Sunday,” let us give thanks to Almighty God for the Gift of His own Son, Who would become the sacrifice for our sin, and Who will return, on the Great Day of Judgement, to gather us into His Eternal Kingdom. Amen.
Bishop Ian