FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
December 1, 2024
Jeremiah 33:14–16
1 Thessalonians 3:9–13
Luke 19:28–40
The Lord Jesus Comes in Humility to Redeem Us
The season of Advent focuses on the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and this first Sunday establishes this theme for the rest of the season. The Son of God came long ago to be our Savior, “a righteous Branch” descended from David (Jer. 33:15). As He then came into Jerusalem, riding on a lowly donkey to sacrifice Himself for the sins of the world (Luke 19:28–40), so does He come to His Church today in the humility of Word and Sacrament to deliver the fruits of His Passion: the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. He absolves us and establishes our hearts “blameless in holiness before our God and Father” (1 Thess. 3:13). The same Lord Jesus, who came to Jerusalem then and who comes to us now in peace, will come again with power and great glory on the Last Day. Then there will be “distress of nations in perplexity,” with “people fainting with fear.” Yet, as we anticipate that great and terrible day, He bids us to rest securely in Him: “Raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:25, 26, 28).
INTROIT Psalm 89:6, 14-16, 18; antiphon Zechariah 9:9b
P Behold, your king is coming to you;
C righteous and having salvation.
P Who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
C Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord?
P Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
C steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
P Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
C who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
P who exult in your name all the day
C and in your righteousness are exalted.
P For our shield belongs to the Lord,
C our king to the Holy One of Israel.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
P Behold, your king is coming to you;
C righteous and having salvation.
OLD TESTAMENT READING Jeremiah 33:14–16
14“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’”
EPISTLE 1 Thessalonians 3:9–13
9What thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 19:28–40
28When [Jesus] had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Summary of Sermon given by Pastor John Riebhoff
When I was 10 years old there was a boy named Allen who lived down the road from me. Back in those days we would sit and watch western shows. We then would go outside and re-inact what we have just watched on the show. Every Christmas and Birthdays we would ask for Cowboy and Indian gear. We have toy guns, toy bow and arrows, western shirts, jeans, boots, and cowboy hats. The only thing missing was a horse. At Christmas time Allen asked for a horse. His dad bought him a Shetland pony. Allen named the pony "Trigger". Oh he was so excited to go out and ride him. But because it the winter and it was cold and the wind howled everyday, he couldn't ride the pony. Trigger was so calm and quiet in his stall in the stable. One spring afternoon, Allen's dad took him and the pony into the yard. Allen's dad help Allen into the saddle and gave him instructions on how to use the reigns. He also told him to lightly tap the pony to get him to move. Allen I guess tapped Trigger a little to hard because Trigger went running full speed for the fence. Trigger was trying to buck off Allen. Well eventually Allen did fall off the pony. He wasn't hurt other than his pride and spirit. Makes you wonder if Trigger was actually trained or not?
Our gospel lesson today is about Jesus riding on a colt into Jerusalem. Jesus told two of his disciples to go into town and untie the colt and bring him to Jesus. This colt had never been ridden. It would surely buck Jesus off the moment he got on. But, the colt accepted Jesus and calm let Jesus get on him. He was accepting the king of creation. What a miracle Jesus is the king of all creation and the Prince of Peace. Jesus gives peace to all of his creation including this colt. The colt was honored to be carrying the king. As he rode into the town, people were praising and singing to Jesus. If they wouldn't have the very stones would sing about the king and his majestic ride.
But in one weeks time the praises and cheers would become jeers and taunts by the same people. Jesus is like us, he was born as a man in flesh. But he is a man without sin. Jesus experiences highs and lows just like we do. His high points are the cheers and praising of people who believe in him. His low points are the taunts and shouts of anger from those that reject him. He knows what it is like to live life with ups and downs. Some high points for us may be things like a birth, our baptism, confirmation, weddings, graduations, retirements, a new job, our favorite sports team winning, etc. Just like a rider getting bucked off a horse, we have down times as well. Examples death of a loved one, terminal illness, divorce, loss of a job, devastations, or loss of spirit.
A wild ride can be thrilling. Sometimes the ride of sin can also be thrilling. Things like getting even with someone who has insulted us or gluttony in eating a large holiday meal. The bucking of the horse is like sin bucking you off. You feel remorse, guilt, turmoil, God's law holds us to judgement. There is no way to break sin like there is with a horse. With sin, there is no feel of peace with God and with his forgiveness.
During this season of Advent we are to humble ourselves and focus on our sins and the forgiveness of sin by God. It prepares us to focus on Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Our baptism washes way our sins giving us peace. When we pray the absolution after confessing our sins, it gives us peace. Holy Communion is reminds us about Jesus body and blood, as well as Christ dying for our sins, giving us peace. We are burden with sins and guilt, God shows us his mercy and the forgiveness of sins, giving us peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and he broke sin and death, so that we may have eternal life with him in heaven.