Verse for the week: Prepare the way of the
Lord...behold, the Lord comes with might.” Isaiah 40:3,10
Prayer for the 2nd week of Advent: “Lord,
accept our prayer and supplication, and grant that we may heed the call of John
to prepare the way for your Son, and receive him into our hearts, that we may
become your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (K. B.
Ritter, Gebete fur das Jahr der Kirche, 2nd ed. Kassel
Bible
reading for the day: Mark 1.1-10 (note: Mark opens his gospel by letting us
know that in Jesus Christ, God is keeping the promise made centuries before to
redeem his people)
The
beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As
it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold,
I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
4 John
appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism
of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And
all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being
baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now
John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his
waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And
he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap
of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I
have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit.”
9 In
those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in
the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the
water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the
Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a
voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well
pleased.”
Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and
almighty Lord, from ancient days indeed, from before the beginning of time, it is
your will to forgive and redeem your people. Thank you for sending Jesus, your
own Son, to get the job done. Repent me of taking myself as my starting place
and putting myself above my baptism. Give me and your whole church the
down-to-earth humility of John who confesses that he is not worthy of your
sandal strap… and simultaneously give us the confidence that confesses that in
Christ alone we are your beloved sons and daughters. I ask this in Jesus’ name,
amen.
Music: Follow
this link to a scene from Handel’s “Messiah” which gives further voice to
today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmknWYFr6Xk
“What gifts or benefits does baptism bring?”
It brings about forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and
the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe, as the Word and
promise of God declare.
What is this Word and promise of God?
It is the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in the
last chapter of Mark, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but
whoever does not believe will be condemned” Mark 16:16. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin
Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
Benediction:
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom
I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 147.10-11
*There are many patterns for devotions. This pattern has been followed by God’s
people for centuries.
**The T.R.I.P. approach to
prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray. It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid
Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria , MN
R:
regret (repentance)
I:
intercession (asking God to take a specific action)
P:
plan or purpose
Reading a biblical text and
then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s
prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s
Word and talk to God.
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