Time for a Beating (AW1)

It’s interesting to watch the races and the jockeying, isn’t it? No, not the horse races, but the house races. I have not heard anything yet, but in years past there was a TV show on in December called the “Christmas Light Fight,” or something similar. People entered a competition on decorating the outside of their homes with Christmas lights, seeking a grand prize. They are always very elaborate and quite beautifully decorated; and each season seems to be better than the one before. The jockeying continues with each homeowner trying to beat out the others for the most beautiful lights of all.

Based on Old Testament Readings from Isaiah

1. Time for a Beating ()

2. Provision for the Improbable ()

3. Overtaken by Joy ()

4. The Peaceful Invasion ( [15–171)

Liturgical Setting

The season of Advent prepares God’s people for the Savior’s coining in his incarnation and at the end of time. As such, Advent turns our eyes to the past and to the future. Texts from Isaiah are particularly appropriate for Advent since Isaiah called the Israelites to look back at the Old Covenant God made with Abraham (and to repent of their sins in not keeping that covenant) and to look forward to the New Covenant he would establish with the coining of the Messiah.

The Gospel reminds us that the day of the Lord’s return will be a time of “normalcy,” a time when people will go about their daily tasks. Since no one knows when the Last Day will be, believers should be prepared every day to greet the Lord.

The Epistle teaches us that the time of the Lord’s return is nearer now than it was in the past. Since history is marching toward a final conclusion, now is the time to put on our Christian armor and engage the battle against temptation and sin. Our armor, however, is not the weaponry of military might or political power, but the perfect protection of faith in Jesus: “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” ().

The Old Testament reading looks forward beyond the prophet’s time, describing what will happen in the “last days.” The hearers of our time, however, are living in the messianic age foretold by Isaiah, the time ushered in by the work of Jesus. Yet those same hearers still await the final consummation, when all things in heaven and earth come together under Christ ().

The key hermeneutical principle is the “now/not yet” character of the kingdom of God. What Isaiah looked forward to is here now, present for the current hearer in the person and work of Jesus (). The fullness of the kingdom, however, is not yet upon us. Isaiah’s words, then, apply to our future hope in the kingdom yet to come, but they also apply to our present situation within the kingdom of God. We live in the time of the resurrection, the time of the New Covenant, when God and sinners are reconciled through the “once for all” atonement of Christ. This great victory (ours now in faith) moves us to live as disciples in this present fallen world, looking forward in hope to the not yet of heaven.

This evening, however, I’m not going to talk about Christmas lights—as beautiful as they can be—but instead, the best view of all:

V 1: “This is what Isaiah” is literally, “The word that Isaiah . . . ” hadabar can mean “word, message, speech, matter, thing” and is parallel in this respect to the Greek logos (which the LXX uses in this verse). What Isaiah received was part of the revelation of that Word that was becoming flesh in Christ.

“[. . . ] to Judah and Jerusalem.” Prophesying in the eighth century B.C., Isaiah was speaking to an Israel divided into northern and southern kingdoms. The northern kingdom would soon meet its end by the “rod of Assyria” wielded by an angry God against his godless people (). In this context of warfare (the Assyrians would soon knock at Jerusalem’s door []), Isaiah speaks a message of comfort and hope: for those who flee to the Lord’s holy mountain, the weapons of warfare will give way to implements of peace.

V 2: God promises that the mountain of Yahweh’s temple would be chief (literally, head) of the mountains, elevated above the hills. It is interesting to note that the temple mount was actually lower in elevation than the surrounding hills (“upper” Jerusalem to the west and the Mount of Olives to the east). The promise to make Zion the head of the mountains previews the principle of the messianic kingdom, in which the least will be made the greatest and the last made the first.

V 3 makes clear people will flock to God’s hill because there Yahweh himself will teach them. The verb for “teach” is yarah. “Torah” comes from the same root. While Torah is often translated as “law,” that term should not be limited to its dogmatic definition. The Torah that goes forth from Zion in this verse is clearly life—giving, and, hence, a Gospel message. Perhaps a better translation of Torah would be “teaching, instruction.” In this verse, God’s Torah and God’s Word dabar comprise a synonymous parallelism.

Zion and Jerusalem are the places from which God sends his true teaching to enlighten the nations. The events of Pentecost fulfill this prophecy. The New Testament makes clear that the imagery of Jerusalem and Zion includes more than geographical location. In their fullness these terms speak of the home of believers, the church on earth (; ) and the church in heaven (; ). As the church continues to proclaim the Word of God in the present time, it stands in the line of fulfillment of this prophecy, bringing the life-giving teachings of the Lord to all nations. New converts in particular delight at tasting God’s truth and are eager to grow in the Word; declaring, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD. He will teach us his ways!” (Might Jesus have had this passage in mind as he found a place to deliver the Sermon on the Mount?)

V 4 describes the blessing of submitting to the Lord’s judgments. History shows that human judgments often lead to war, bloodshed, and oppression. However, under God’s reign of peace, the implements of war are no longer needed, and are thus beaten into instruments of planting and harvesting. In the messianic age, disputes are solved not by determining who is strongest on the field of battle but by walking in the Lord’s path of love (). Could there be clearer announcements of the arrival of the messianic age than Jesus’ words to Peter, “Put your sword away!” () and his words to all believers, “Ask the Lord of the harvest . . . to send out workers into his harvest field” ().

The words of this verse are inscribed on the cornerstone of the United Nations building. Certainly, to bring an end to the “guns vs. butter” debate in favor of “butter” is an admirable goal, but the final fulfillment of that promise awaits the final unveiling of the Messiah’s rule. Until that time, in the kingdom of the left, God still wields his “sword” through human governments to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer ().

V 5 is a closing exhortation to abandon the darkness of disobedience and to walk in the light of Yahweh, the light of his forgiveness and the way of his truth. Here we rightly think of Jesus’ declarations, “I am the light of the world” () and “I am the way and the truth and the life” (). Jesus is the Word, the Torah, the Light, the Way/Path; his coming, his advent, is the focus of all our preaching and labor in the church. We declare to the world, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,” for there we find a gracious Savior who teaches us his love.

Sermon Outline

It’s interesting to watch the races and the jockeying, isn’t it? No, not the horse races, but the house races. I have not heard anything yet, but in years past there was a TV show on in December called the “Christmas Light Fight,” or something similar. People entered a competition on decorating the outside of their homes with Christmas lights, seeking a grand prize. Most were beautifully decorated; one house better than the one before. The jockeying continues with each homeowner trying to beat out the others for the most beautiful in town.

The Mountain of the Lord

Believers in Christ have already been assured of the most beautiful place forever.

God promises that on the Last Day he will establish his holy mountain as the place of supremacy.

(1) God promises that on the Last Day he will establish his holy mountain as the place of supremacy.

(2) Isaiah isn’t referring to a spot of real estate, but to God’s dwelling with his people, the church.

Isaiah isn’t referring to a spot of real estate, but to God’s dwelling with his people, the church.

(3) On this holy mountain believers in Jesus will be given that perfect view of God known as the beatific vision, the vision of God’s loving face assuring us of the blessings of life and peace so that all memories of sorrow and sadness from our present days are overwhelmed by gladness.

On this holy mountain believers in Jesus will be given that perfect view of God—the most beautiful scene of all—the vision of God’s loving face assuring us of the blessings of life and peace so that all memories of sorrow and sadness from our present days are overwhelmed by gladness.

(4) On this holy mountain believers will rejoice in the perfect instruction of the Lord. No longer will earthly shepherds struggle to explain the wonders of God’s love; in heaven the Lord himself will teach us all things in perfect clarity.

On this holy mountain believers will rejoice in the perfect instruction of the Lord. No longer will earthly shepherds struggle to explain the wonders of God’s love; in heaven the Lord himself will teach us all things in perfect clarity.

(5) On this holy mountain there will be no war or strife, for all instruments of warfare will have been beaten into instruments of peace.

On this holy mountain there will be no war or strife, for all instruments of warfare will have been beaten into instruments of peace.

On this holy mountain believers from every nation will be present with no hint of division; as the unified people of God, we will walk forever in the light of the Lord.

(6) On this holy mountain believers from every nation will be present with no hint of division; as the unified people of God, we will walk forever in the light of the Lord.

This view is guaranteed for believers because Jesus has given sin and death a beating.

B. This view is certain for believers because Jesus has given sin and death a beating.

When a sword was raised in Jesus’ defense in the Garden of Gethsemane, he told Peter to put it away, for Jesus’ plan to beat sin and death would take a different path, the path of the cross.

(1) When a sword was raised in Jesus’ defense in the Garden of Gethsemane, he told his disciple to put it away, for Jesus’ plan to beat sin and death would take a different path, the path of the cross.

When a spear pierced Jesus’ side, it looked as if Jesus was beaten. In fact, however, it was Jesus who gave the beating, beating that spear into a pruning hook by his death on the cross, a death that pruned away all our sin.

(2) When a spear pierced Jesus’ side, it looked as if Jesus was beaten. In fact, however, it was Jesus who gave the beating, beating that spear into a pruning hook by his death on the cross, a death that pruned away all our sin.

(3) On Easter morning Jesus demonstrated that he had given sin, death, and Satan a beating that we should never forget, for through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus we gain forgiveness and acceptance into the family of God.

On Easter morning Jesus demonstrated that he had given sin, death, and Satan a beating that we should never forget, for through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus we gain forgiveness and acceptance into the family of God.

Through Baptism into Jesus’ victory we have been called to our place on God’s holy mountain. We no longer fear that God’s face will condemn us in anger (as we deserve). For the sake of the beating Jesus gave to sin and death, God’s face is ever shining upon us in blessing.

(4) Through Baptism into Jesus’ victory we have been called to our place on God’s holy mountain. We no longer fear that God’s face will condemn us in anger (as we deserve). For the sake of the beating Jesus gave to sin and death, God’s face is ever shining upon us in blessing.

(5) Through faith in Jesus we now have an unobstructed view of salvation. No sin, guilt, present hurt, or scheme of Satan will be able to block our view of God’s shining face because Jesus has given every such obstacle a beating, sharing his triumphs with all who believe in him.

Through faith in Jesus we now have an unobstructed view of salvation. No sin, guilt, present hurt, or scheme of Satan will be able to block our view of God’s shining face because Jesus has given every such obstacle a beating, sharing his triumphs with all who believe in him.

Walking in the Light

When we first came to know that glorious Gospel message, we were thrilled with the Lord’s teaching.

But when we face the trials and tribulations of life in this fallen world, we sometimes lose the zeal of our faith. We learn the television listings better than the Scriptures, as the time of Jesus’ return seems more distant.

(1) But when we face the trials and tribulations of life in this fallen world, we sometimes lose the zeal of our faith. We learn the television listings better than the Scriptures, as the time of Jesus’ return seems more distant.

Advent shakes us out of our doldrums, reminding us to be ever watchful in our faith.

(2) Advent shakes us out of our doldrums, reminding us to be ever watchful in our faith.

(3) Today’s Gospel teaches that the day of Jesus’ return will be a normal day, without any special sign of his imminent arrival; thus, be prepared to meet Jesus every day.

Today’s Gospel teaches that the day of Jesus’ return will be a normal day, without any special sign of His imminent arrival; therefore, we must be prepared to meet Jesus every day.

Today’s Epistle teaches that the day of Christ’s return is nearer than when we first believed. Since the clock is ticking, put aside your deeds of darkness in order to walk in the light. Dear Holy ones, it’s...

(4) Today’s Epistle teaches that the day of Christ’s return is nearer than when we first believed. Since the clock is ticking, put aside your deeds of darkness in order to walk in the light.

B. Time for a Beating

Time for a Beating

(1) What better way to walk in the light than to give people on earth a glimpse of what life will be like on God’s holy mountain?

What better way to walk in the light than to give people on earth a glimpse of what life will be like on God’s holy mountain?

Start now to beat our swords into plowshares, our spears into pruning hooks.

(2) Start now to beat our swords into plowshares, our spears into pruning hooks.

(3) Some of the “swords and spears” we sometimes wield:

Some of the “swords and spears” we sometimes wield:

(a) The sword of a grudge held over another person, refusing to free that one with forgiveness.

The sword of a grudge held over another person, refusing to free that one with forgiveness.

(b) The spear of our words hurled at one another—even within the church—doing more damage and hurt than any sharpened steel.

The spear of our words hurled at one another—even within the church—doing more damage and hurt than any sharpened steel.

The weapon of deafening silence, closing our ears to the pleas of others for our help and understanding. Such callous indifference cuts others down and shreds them into tiny, unimportant pieces as surely as any sword or spear would do.

(c) The weapon of deafening silence, closing our ears to the pleas of others for our help and understanding. Such callous indifference cuts others down and shreds them into tiny, unimportant pieces as surely as any sword or spear might do.

(4) We have wielded these weapons with skill, but our skill hardly fits our status as saints. Those who have seen the shining face of Jesus wish to walk on the path of his instruction.

We have wielded these weapons with skill, but our skill hardly fits our status as saints, His holy ones. Those who have seen the shining face of Jesus wish to walk on the path of his instruction.

(5) Thus, Advent reminds us that it’s time for a beating.

This is why this first Wednesday in Advent we are reminded that it’s time for a beating.

(a) It is not time for God to beat us because of our sins; Jesus took that beating for us on Calvary, beating sin and death once for all for us.

NOT for God to beat us because of our sins; Jesus took that beating for us on Calvary, beating sin and death once for all for us.

(b) Advent reminds us that now is the time for us to give a beating to our old ways of sin by repenting of them and trusting in Christ to forgive us.

Advent reminds us that now is the time for us to give a beating to our old ways of sin by repenting of them and trusting in Christ to forgive us.

Just as Jesus has done for us, it’s time for us to beat that grudge-sword into the plowshare of forgiveness, planting seeds of love and reconciliation in the heart of another.

(c) Just as Jesus has done for us, it’s time for us to beat that grudge-sword into the plowshare of forgiveness, planting seeds of love and reconciliation in the heart of another.

(d) It’s time to beat those spears of hurtful words into the pruning hooks of the harvest, into words that build up.

It’s time to beat those spears of hurtful words into the pruning hooks of the harvest, into words that build up.

Yes, it’s time for a beating, the beating of sin that comes by the Gospel of Jesus. Receive that Gospel message yourself in faith. Then put Jesus’ love to work in your life. Beat down your old sinful habits by the power of the cross. Create new tools of peace that give witness to the kingdom of God. In so doing, you will call all those around you to come to God’s holy mountain, to walk in the light of the Lord, and to behold the best view of all: Jesus and his love.

It’s time, isn’t it? Time for a beating.

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.