Unchained
1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. (Mark 1:1-5)
Before Jesus began his earthly ministry, his cousin John was preparing the hearts and minds of the people by calling them to repentance and baptizing them. Both were necessary - getting baptized without repenting would be like bathing without soap, all wet but not actually clean. People flocked to John because the desire for a freash start was as compelling then as it is now. We love the thought of a clean slate, of moving into the future unburdened by the past. This is why the story, A Christmas Carol, has remained popular for decades. Unfortunately, we often want the Christmas morning joy without the deep dive of the three messengers. With the help of the messengers, Scrooge did the work of repentance. He faced his past and owned the effect it had on him and on his relationships with others. Because of that honest disection he was able to, not just apologize for his previous behavior, but also grow and have the change of heart necessary to truely become a new and improved version of himself. Without this experience Scrooge would have remained as chained to his past as his deceased collegue, Bob Cratchit.
We have an opportunity, this Advent season, to do the work of repentance to prepare our hearts for the coming again of our Savior. We don't do this to become perfect, but to become open to the good that God has for us. May we yield ourselves fully to God so that we can walk unchained into the hope-filled future God has in store.
8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. 11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? 13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. 14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15a and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. (2 Peter 3:8-15a)
