Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 21:1-11

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

This week begins a new Church year for us as we enter into the season of Advent. We’re reminded that while Christmas might be right around the corner, it isn’t Christmas yet. We need time to prepare that we may be ready to celebrate the coming of our Savior properly and with much joy. 

For what kind of preparation is required? It always takes time to prepare for anything. Time to gather food and gifts for the family gathering over the holidays. Time to spend with family and friends. Time to head to church. We must properly prepare our time that we have time to celebrate. Money too. It is no surprise that it takes money to do almost anything these days. Money for food. Money for decorations. Money for gifts. Money, which is in short supply, must be prepared for that which is needed most. 

Of course, Advent is about more than our time and money. The preparation our Lord seeks is rather of the heart and mind. We are to be ready for our Lord to come, our divine King to make his appearance. It’s again an ordering of the things that are most important. We’re not to hold in our heart or mind anything higher than the Lord. But this is why we must cry out this Advent, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Matt. 21:9. The sad reality is that we haven’t prepared ourselves fully. We must repent of the sin that has reordered our lives around ourselves than the Lord. For our cry is for salvation from our Lord.

Yet, this is why we read the Triumphal entry. It reminds us that our Lord is the Lord who comes. He comes even out of necessity. The Lord had need of the donkeys to ride into Jerusalem for he had need to come to his people as their Savior. We should find the language of divine necessity of great comfort for it reminds us of what our Lord has ordered as most important. He had need of you! So, he comes, “humble and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden,” Matt. 21:5. 

This Advent, we must prepare ourselves for our Lord’s coming, or rather be prepared by our Lord’s word to order our lives around him and his word. For this is the true preparation our Lord desires. He desires repentance which leads to life! He has need of it. He has need of saving you! This is why the Son of God left his heavenly throne, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, that he may even live and die upon the cross. Out of necessity for you, our Lord has ordered your salvation above all else. For let us rejoice, even saying, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Matt. 21:10. 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!