This is the outline of the sermon delivered in Japanese by Rev. Musubi Tabuchi to the congregations of Ashiya Christian Church and Unfinished Community on Sunday, December 8, 2024, and draws from Luke 3:1-6.
One of the characteristics of the Gospel according to Luke is that it tries to connect the Gospel with the world political situation of the time, specifically, the rulers of the Roman Empire and the Jewish Kingdom. In today's passage, the Gospels introduce the men who stand for the emperor at the time; the governor of Judea - really the king of the puppet kingdom of Judea - and one of the central figures of Judaism.
The most famous of these powerful men is Pilate, the governor of Judea.
He was appointed as governor-general over the Jews and the high priests of Judaism, those who would eventually seek the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus comes at a time when these people are in power, and John the Baptist prophesies here at the beginning of Jesus' while ministry, saying that “the crooked and bumpy road will be made straight.”
The meaning of Jesus’ appearance here, which is what is described in the beginning of Handel’s masterpiece “Messiah,” was to challenge and rectify the misgovernment of earthly rulers not by obliterating them with political power, but by speaking the gospel truth to those who suffer, who grieved, and those who are oppressed by the misgovernment of those in power. When we focus on big political movements, we lose sight of the individuals who live in the midst of those moments. The gospel of Christ was given as a message to these people specifically.
Let us pray, beloved God, we pray for peace in this second week of Advent. May your peace be with each and every person who is overlooked in the “big talk” of world peace. In the name of Jesus Christ, Lord of Peace, we pray, Amen.
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