 |
 |
       |
|
 S
P I R I T U A L F O R M A T I O N |
|
·
CHILDREN'S EDUCATION |
SERMONS The
Second Sunday of Advent By David Christian Someone once asked the composer Leonard Bernstein what he thought was the most difficult instrument to play. Mr. Bernstein replied without hesitation, "Second fiddle." He went on to explain, "I can always get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who plays second violin with as much enthusiasm or second horn or second flute?-now that's a problem. And yet, if no one plays second, we have no harmony." "Second fiddle" describes perfectly the role of John the Baptist. And it is a role that he played perfectly, with spirit and conviction and enthusiasm. John was an important figure in first century Palestine. He was a powerful preacher and drew great crowds to him. The Jewish historian Josephus described him as "a good man [who] had exhorted the Jews to lead righteous lives, [and] to practice justice towards their fellows and piety towards God." Josephus went on to say that Herod became alarmed by John's popularity and eloquence and had him arrested and put to death. And yet, for all of his power and popularity, Matthew tells us that John claimed "one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals." We remember John as the forerunner. He was the second fiddle. He did not draw attention to himself but used his popularity to announce the coming of Jesus. He set the stage, and then withdrew. He provided the context, the harmony, for the beginning of Jesus ministry. And Jesus himself also, in a way, played second fiddle. Throughout his earthly ministry he proclaimed a consistent message, the kingdom of God. He did not seek to draw attention to himself; he did not seek to set himself up as someone special. Rather he attempted through his message and his life to be faithful to the will of God. He attempted to make God's love visible to the world. And it is because God's presence was so palpably evident in his life and teaching that he attracted the following that he did. As Paul told the Romans, "Christ [became] a servant ... on behalf of the truth of God in order that ... the gentiles might glorify God for his mercy." This role of John the Baptist is an important one for us as followers of Christ. For we also are called to play second fiddle. We are called to show Christ in our lives. We are called to get ourselves out of the way so that God's love can shine forth through our lives. We are called to become icons, windows, through which a needy world can come to see their Savior. Paul showed this in his own life when he declared to the Galatians that "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God." And this is the life to which he called the Christians in Rome when he said, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may discern what is the will of God." This is the message of John the Baptist: "Prepare the way of the Lord." And this is the message of Advent. A time of preparation, a time to make room in our hearts and lives for the coming of the Prince of Peace. And this is a time for us to play second fiddle. A time for us to let Christ shine through our lives so that a "material world" can come to see that Christmas is not about things but about a person. About a baby who alone can satisfy our deepest desires and fill the emptiness that no material wealth can fill. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Isaiah
11.1-10 |
Chapel
of the Cross · 674 Mannsdale Road · Madison, Mississippi
39110 · (601) 856-2593
Copyright © 2001, Chapel of the Cross