Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 19:28-40

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

There’s no one with a better memory than a child who was just promised a treat or extra play time. The child will cling to that promise as long as they need and will remind you until they get it. Of course, as we all know, sometimes we make promises that we just can’t keep. We regularly break our promises for both good and bad reasons. The hurt and harm of a broken promise will become evident with a child through tears, sadness, and possibly anger.

Think about, then, all the promises that God has made. This is just another reason why we regularly say to have faith “like a child.” We’re supposed to cling to it, hold onto it, and let that promise motivate us until it’s received. For consider what Jeremiah writes, “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,” Jeremiah 33:14. Unlike us, God doesn’t break his promises. He doesn’t ever go back on his words to us. He fulfills them all in their proper time.

So, let us also consider our Gospel lesson. As we enter the beginning of a new church year, we read again of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This event is so important because it is God finally fulfilling his promise. “In 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,” Jeremiah 33:15. Jesus riding into Jerusalem is the symbol of Jesus coming to be their king. Jesus is the righteous branch from David. Thus, the people cheer, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:38. Jesus is coming to be the king that God had long promised. 

This is the foundation for our faith. The past promises of God which Jesus fulfilled should give us hope and motivate us to trust in the future promises of God. In Advent, we focus on the “advents” (coming) of Christ. Just as Jesus came in the manger as long promised and foretold, he will also come again at the last day as he has promised us. Don’t let time keep you from believing in God's promise. Indeed, we must be prepared to greet our coming king. 

As we hear again of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, let us also remember his coming in the manger. Jesus left his throne on high to come to us as God had long promised. Jesus comes with justice and righteousness to be the king long foretold. He comes to reign over you in his holy kingdom. But Jesus didn’t come to sit on some earthly throne. He came to take up the cross. That is Jesus’ throne. It’s what he came for and also why he will come again. God promised that Jesus would heal us and forgive us of our sins and even give us a new heart that we may worship him in holiness and purity forever. Indeed, by Jesus’ death on the cross, he does all this and much more. For so, let us now cling to these promises of God, knowing that he will fulfill them for us when Christ comes to us on the last day! 

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!