( Isaiah 40:1-11 ) - [ Deutsch ] - [ Akündigungen580.19 KB ]
"Prepare the way of the Lord: for, behold, the Lord God comes with power," is the watchword for the week beginning today, taken from the sermon text in Is. 40, combined from two verses of this 40th chapter in the book of Isaiah.
Read Bible text: Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
The historical situation, dear congregation, can be summarised in a few words. Far away from home, the deportees from Israel lived in Babylonian exile. Chapter 40 marks the beginning of something new in the book of Isaiah. They are about to head back home! The long time of lamenting and weeping is followed by a new future. The prophet Isaiah is commissioned to proclaim this to the people. He chooses images that people can relate to: Hills and mountains are to be removed, deserts and steppes get a road. Nothing should obstruct the way home. A clear path for God. Thanks to Him, the prisoners can go home again. The night is well advanced, the new day is no longer far away.
Let us sing the first verse of hymn 16:
Congregation sings EG 16,1 “Die Nacht ist vorgedrungen“
Today, on the 3rd Advent 2022, is the 80th anniversary of the death of the poet of the hymn we have just sung: Jochen Klepper. This gives reason to remember him and his loved ones.
Jochen Klepper, his Jewish wife Hanni and their daughter were threatened with arrest and death under National Socialism in Germany.
The family chooses suicide in order to avoid arrest and murder, which they considered certain. Shortly before his suicide, Jochen Klepper writes, "In the afternoon, the trial at the security service. We die now, ah, that too lies in God's hands. We are going to our deaths together tonight. Above us in the last hours stands the image of the blessing Christ, who is struggling for us. Under whose eyes our life shall end."
Jochen Klepper wrote his poem "Die Nacht ist vorgedrungen" as early as 1937. He titled it "Weihnachtslied" (Christmas Carol) for its first publication. It is rich in biblical allusions.
The wandering star of Bethlehem shows the way and leads out of the darkness. Thus the Kleppers go to their death, knowing that there they will meet God, who dwells in the darkness, full of hope in the blessing Christ "who struggles for us". They die in the confidence that the star of God's grace is with them. In his light, darkness no longer has a grip on them.
Let us sing the fourth verse.
Congregation sings EG 16,4 “Noch manche Nacht wird fallen“.
The ancient biblical images of hope speak to people who worry about the future. They should be reminded anew: Where God is your companion, you are not alone.
The Israelites experienced this again and again in their long history with God. On their long journey through the desert, they are protected. Between bondage in Egypt and the Promised Land lies the never-ending period of great challenges and long stretches of thirst. Even if individuals forget God during this time - God does not forget his people. He gives a future and hope where some no longer dare to hope.
And then, centuries later, the time of the Babylonian captivity. Led away into exile, the Israelites find themselves in a foreign land, seemingly abandoned by God. Until this prophet appears, ”In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low.” (Isaiah 40:4)
Again, it will not be good "just like that". Again, they must first dare to leave, to commence their journey. And again a way through the desert lies ahead for the people.
But they should not be afraid of it. For God will take care of his people. It is a double homecoming story. The deported shall be allowed to return. And with them God returns to his land and to his house. He wants to dwell where it is dark and thereby light up the darkness.
BUT: Before the return home lies the way through the desert.
All of this is not possible without the people setting out. People have never longed for the desert. But where a way through the desert lies ahead, fear of it would be a bad advisor. And again, in order to prevent all worries from rising in the first place, the promise of a good outcome begins with the double invitation "Comfort, comfort my people". Martin Luther understood this as follows:
"This is the true office of bishops and pastors or preachers, that they should teach, raise up, and comfort, that they should reach out and communicate the balm of Holy Scripture to afflicted and sorrowful hearts, and say to them, Fear not." The "Fear not" of the angels on Christmas night already sounding in our ears.
Comfort, comfort my people. These are strong words for sad people. Again and again in my life I need comfort. Only in this way can I survive my life. What is my comfort in life and in death? is the first question in the Heidelberg Catechism. In classic language, it then says: "That in life and in death, body and soul, I belong not to myself, but to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ."
I am not alone, I am not abandoned when I am in despair. God comes into the world and to me. He is by my side, with the child in the manger, as the one who shares my burdens. He knows what he is doing, he himself has carried a cross. To live Advent means to perceive that I need comfort in order to live, to accept comfort, to comfort others. Comforting is not something harmless, unimportant, comforting is more than words and gestures; it is true help. Consolation changes a situation and helps to leave an oppressive situation behind and to open up for life anew.
Every service gives consolation - with familiar sounds and songs, in the fellowship of others, in a space where the hopes and prayers of others form part of my surrounds, as it were, where I am embraced by the confidence: God's consolation comes. God himself comes. He comes as a child and a servant and wants to dwell in the darkness. For my salvation. With him the darkness becomes light.
I can trust in that. Amen.
