Advent Readings: Malachi 3:1-3 and Matthew 11:7-15

PEACE 🕯🕯

Malachi 3:1-3 
3:1 “See, I am going to send my messenger, and he will clear the way before me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to his temple, the Messenger of the covenant you delight in—see, he is coming,” says the Lord of Armies. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will be able to stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s bleach. 3 He will be like a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.

Matthew 11:7-15
11:7 As these men were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? See, those who wear soft clothes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.[Mal 3:1]

11 “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and the violent have been seizing it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you’re willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come. 15 Let anyone who has ears listen."

CSB

Advent Readings: Psalm 2, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-5, and Mark 11:7-11

PEACE 🕯🕯

We are nearing the end of the week of Peace. I was thinking about how often this word is used in the New Testament. Specifically, Jesus uses the word numerous times. The ones that come to mind for me are when he says "Peace be with you" to His disciples, "Go in peace" to two different women, and "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." The peace that Jesus gives us is reconciliation, wholeness, forgiveness, and spiritual certainty. When I am having a moment of spiritual doubt, when I am feeling unworthy, I remember this gift of peace. I am forgiven, I am made whole, I am made righteous through the blood of Jesus, and I am reconciled to God. "Peace" or "peace out" were slang terms when I was a child. It's just language. But when the word "peace" was used so casually, as it was then, it lost its true meaning. This week of the year, this week of Advent each year, we remember God's definition of peace, and how Jesus gave this to us. May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you today.

Old Testament

Psalm 2:6 

“I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”

Old Testament

Zechariah 9:9 

The Coming of Zion’s King

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem!
Look, your King is coming to you;
he is righteous and victorious,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

New Testament

Matthew 21:1-5 

1 When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, 2 telling them, “Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied there with her colt. 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 at once.”

4 This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:

5 Tell Daughter Zion,
“See, your King is coming to you,
gentle, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt,
the foal of a donkey.” [Is 62:11;Zch 9:9]

New Testament 

Mark 11:7-11 

7 They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their clothes on the road, and others spread leafy branches cut from the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted:

Hosanna!

Blessed is he who comes

in the name of the Lord! [Ps 118:26]

10 Blessed is the coming kingdom

of our father David!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!

11 He went into Jerusalem and into the temple. After looking around at everything, since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

CSB