Overtaken By Joy (AW3)

A television commercial seen this time of year shows a family on Christmas morning with packages unwrapped and children enjoying their new gifts. Mom and Dad are contentedly observing the happy scene when Dad pulls from the pocket of his robe a small box and gives it to his wife. Inside she finds a magnificent diamond necklace. The voice-over says, “This year, be the Santa of her dreams.” The commercial fades to black as we watch a tear fall from the wife’s eye; she is overtaken by joy. Wives, can’t you just wait?

Sermon: Advent 3

December 13, 1998

Other Lessons: ; ;

Theme: Series: 3. Overtaken by Joy

Goal: That the hearers be encouraged by their joy in Jesus to be instruments of joy while they wait the full consummation on the Last Day.

Suggested Hymns: LW 29, 82, 455; TLH 66, 59, (72); LBW 35, 87, 553; CW 12, 93, 540

Rev. Charles W. Blanco, pastor, Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Fort Lupton, Colorado

Advent Pericopal Series: Visions of the Last Days

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

What has been written in the preceding two studies (Advent 1 and 2) applies a fortiori to the present text. The “blooming desert” is ours now in the bubbling waters of our Baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection, but not yet fully as we still live in “desert drear” (I’m But a Stranger Here). The “now/not yet” paradox gives us present joy and future hope that will carry us through our pilgrimage.

The Epistle gives excellent counsel for God’s pilgrims: “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. . . . Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” We persevere because of Christ’s present victory on the cross and because of the glorious descriptions in the Scriptures (such as our text) of the future joy prepared for us in heaven. In pastoral practice it is easy to leap quickly to our heavenly hope when dealing with people who are distressed. Often this quick and easy leap to a distant future fails to help someone who needs a hand now (see ). However, let us not overcorrect. Often the greatest consolation we have for those with weak hands and knees () is the blessed hope of heaven.

James 2:14–16 NASB95

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

Isaiah 35:3 NASB95

3 Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble.

In the Gospel Jesus draws on our text. By healing the blind, deaf, lame, and mute Jesus was declaring that the messianic age and the “great reversal” promised in Isaiah had begun. His message: “Look nowhere else but to me, for I alone can turn the tables on the devil and death.” We have his triumph now in this Easter age of resurrection, but we await its full experience on the Day of Resurrection.

Textual Notes

Vv 1–2: The first verse describes how people commonly conceive of the land of Canaan: desert and wilderness. The southern and southeastern parts of the land, with its arid and semiarid climate, fit the description. Few springs flow constantly in these regions. When it does rain, the dry and hardened ground cannot absorb the moisture, resulting in a rush of water down a wadi, sometimes with destructive force. Isaiah contrasts this locale to the north and northwestern parts of Palestine: the Carmel mountain range and the agriculturally productive Plain of Sharon, and further north in the forested areas of Lebanon. These regions offer lush and rich growth, remaining green and beautiful even during the summer months. Only God could bring about such a climate reversal, demonstrating his great glory and majesty. By initiating the messianic age in his incarnation, Jesus ended the drought of this fallen world and showered all nations with his life-giving forgiveness.

Vv 3–4: Because God is able to reverse our ill-fortune, we have hope. Despair is pictured by “weak” hands and knees that totter just before giving out. “Fearful hearts” in v 4 is literally “hurried hearts,” that is, hearts that are racing with anxiety, a common experience in our “culture of death.” The message for the weak and fearful: “Behold your God!” We who live in the time of God’s revelation in Christ Jesus must point people to the Savior and his work at the cross: “He will come to save you.”

Isaiah emphasizes particularly the crushing defeat this saving God inflicts on his enemies. Apart from God’s mercy in Jesus, we would fall under his vengeance and retribution, but God delivers us by grace. Satan and his followers, however, will find no mercy. In a world where so much crime and evil go unpunished (a cause for despair), we are reminded that God will not let evil escape its due reward in the final accounting. This message helps us endure current injustice, but it will always be received by believers with the humble acknowledgment: “There but for the grace of God go I.”

Vv 5–7 describe in delightful terms the great reversal that will come fully in the resurrection. When Jesus did miracles of healing he was declaring the presence of the messianic age in his own person. Jesus did not heal all the blind or deaf while he was on earth, nor should we expect healing for every believer now. When the fullness of the kingdom is revealed in the resurrection, though, then indeed the full impact of the great reversal will be revealed as every disease and malady will be undone.

Vv 8–10 deal with the “kingdom’s highway.” Isaiah is fond of the “highway” metaphor to describe the path God makes—sola gratia—for people to come to him (see particularly 11:16; 19:23; 40:3; 49:11; 62:10, all using the same root as in v 8, a raised road for ease of travel). The chief characteristic of the highway is its holiness. As God is holy, only those who are holy are able to travel on his highway (cf. ), raising the question, “How does one gain holiness before God?” We who live in the “fullness of time” know that holiness comes only through faith in Jesus. He has paid the toll for us to travel on God’s holy road. Because it is a holy road, it is also a safe road, for the wicked are banished. For those who humbly travel the holy road of faith in Jesus, no robber can ever “snatch them out of my Father’s hand” ().

The travelers are referred to as the “redeemed” and the “ransomed ones of Yahweh.” The root for “redeem,” g’l, refers to fulfilling one’s obligation as a kinsman to defend a relative or to buy him out of debt or slavery (see, e.g., ). That God is our Redeemer suggests first that we are involved in a debt we cannot pay, and second, that God is willing to take up the “obligation” to rescue us, an act of great mercy. This is the root used in , “I know that my Redeemer lives,” and thus Job has hope. The root for “ransom” pdh refers to paying a price to relieve a debt. The root finds special significance in its connection to God’s work in the exodus (Dent 15:15) and the price of the unblemished lamb that delivers the Israelites from the plague of death (). The two roots are often used synonymously (as in our text), but the role of the kinsman in distinguishes the two. The Christological implications are vast for both terms. Jesus, not ashamed to be our kinsman (), is the redemptive price that brings us forgiveness and rescue from sin and death ().

The theme of joy in God’s messianic kingdom reaches a climax in v 10 as “gladness and joy” overtake the travelers. We often feel as if trouble is stalking us, but in fact joy is hot on our trail and will overtake us. In Baptism we have received the beginning of the joy of the kingdom, but the full overtaking will come as we pass from this life to the next. The day of death, often seen as a day of deep sadness, is transformed by the Savior’s work to be the day when gladness and joy fully overtake us. In this light we can pray with no hint of morbidity, “Come, sweet death!” Jesus, the “hound of heaven,” has “cornered” us with his salvation, and gladness and joy aren’t far behind. As a result, all grief and sighing flee, chased away by the steadfast love of the Lord.

Sermon Outline

A television commercial seen this time of year shows a family on Christmas morning with packages unwrapped and children enjoying their new gifts. Mom and Dad are contentedly observing the happy scene when Dad pulls from the pocket of his robe a small box and gives it to his wife. Inside she finds a magnificent diamond necklace. The voice-over says, “This year, be the Santa of her dreams.” The commercial fades to black as we watch a tear fall from the wife’s eye; she is overtaken by joy. Wives, can’t you just wait?

Our Hope of Joy

Gladness and joy are in hot pursuit.

(1) Isaiah describes this promise of God for us, who by faith in Jesus travel on his holy highway toward heaven.

Isaiah describes this promise of God for us, who by faith in Jesus travel on his holy highway toward heaven.

It’s not the Grim Reaper who will overtake you in the end; it’s gladness and joy as you depart from this life into the glories of God’s mansion.

(2) It’s not the Grim Reaper who will overtake you in the end; it’s gladness and joy as you depart from this life into the glories of God’s mansion.

B. Sorrow and sighing will be sent packing.

Sorrow and sighing will be sent packing.

(1) In this present age we face many causes of sorrow: disappointments, personal failures, illness. Everyone knows how to sigh; let me hear your best sigh right now.

In this present age we face many causes of sorrow: disappointments, personal failures, illnesses, like the dreaded cancer. Everyone knows how to sigh; let me hear your best sigh right now.

(2) Story (fiction but poignant): St. Paul once came upon a man sitting on a bench sighing with his head in his hands. “What’s wrong, brother?” Paul asked. The man spoke of terrible guilt over his sin. Paul gladly told him of the perfect redemption won by Jesus for all people, relieving the man’s guilt and putting his sighing to flight. A little later Paul came upon a woman who also held her head in her hands as she sighed. “Sister, what’s the matter?” Paul inquired. She told how she had lost her job and couldn’t afford food for her family. Paul quickly arranged a collection to be taken at church for her relief, putting her sorrow and sighing to flight. A bit later, Paul came upon another man sighing with his head in his hands. “Brother,” Paul asked, “what could be troubling you so?” “I’ve got two teenagers at home,” the man replied. At which point Paul too sighed and put his head in his hands!

Story (fiction but poignant): St. Paul once came upon a man sitting on a bench sighing with his head in his hands. “What’s wrong, brother?” Paul asked. The man spoke of terrible guilt over his sin. Paul gladly told him of the perfect redemption won by Jesus for all people, relieving the man’s guilt and putting his sighing to flight. A little later Paul came upon a woman who also held her head in her hands as she sighed. “Sister, what’s the matter?” Paul inquired. She told how she had lost her job and couldn’t afford food for her family. Paul quickly arranged a collection to be taken at church for her relief, putting her sorrow and sighing to flight. A bit later, Paul came upon another man sighing with his head in his hands. “Brother,” Paul asked, “what could be troubling you so?” “I’ve got two teenagers at home,” the man replied. At which point Paul too sighed and put his head in his hands!

The Gospel brings the good news that we have a most certain hope of a heavenly existence where gladness and joy will overtake us for all eternity. All sorrow and sighing will flee. The “great reversal” of sorrow to joy is described in beautiful terms in our text, where the dead places are made to bloom with life by the power of God. This promised reversal of fortunes awaits us in heaven, strengthening us in our times of weakness in this fallen world.

(3) The Gospel brings the good news that we have a most certain hope of a heavenly existence where gladness and joy will overtake us for all eternity. All sorrow and sighing will flee. The “great reversal” of sorrow to joy is described in beautiful terms in our text, where the dead places are made to bloom with life by the power of God. This promised reversal of fortunes awaits us in heaven, strengthening us in our times of weakness in this fallen world.

The Gospel brings the good news that we have a most certain hope of a heavenly existence where gladness and joy will overtake us for all eternity. All sorrow and sighing will flee. The “great reversal” of sorrow to joy is described in beautiful terms in our text, where the dead places are made to bloom with life by the power of God. This promised reversal of fortunes awaits us in heaven, strengthening us in our times of weakness in this fallen world. And this brings us to

Our Present Joy

Yet, our faith is not just a matter of “gutting it out” until we finally receive joy in heaven. The Gospel isn’t a “pie in the sky by and by” message.

As Jesus informs John the Baptist in today’s Gospel reading, the great messianic age of joy promised in Isaiah has already made its beginning. By healing the blind and deaf and lame and mute, Jesus showed that the time of joy is with us in the here and now.

B. As Jesus informs John the Baptist in today’s Gospel reading, the great messianic age of joy promised in Isaiah has already made its beginning. By healing the blind and deaf and lame and mute, Jesus showed that the time of joy is with us in the here and now.

C. Joy is present because of these reasons:

Joy is present because of these reasons:

(1) Jesus has redeemed us from all our sin and guilt, offering himself as the ransom price that delivers us from the punishment of death. Although we don’t deserve this gift, God gives it freely, and we receive it gratefully in faith. The joy of salvation sends all our guilty sighs fleeing. God has granted us the holiness of Christ, welcoming us upon his holy highway to heaven, paying with Jesus’ life the toll that we could never muster. Safe are we on God’s highway.

Jesus has redeemed us from all our sin and guilt, offering himself as the ransom price that delivers us from the punishment of death. Although we don’t deserve this gift, God gives it freely, and we receive it gratefully in faith. The joy of salvation sends all our guilty sighs fleeing. God has granted us the holiness of Christ, welcoming us upon his holy highway to heaven, paying with Jesus’ life the toll that we could never muster. Safe are we on God’s highway.

(2) Jesus has redeemed us from death by rising on Easter. Baptized into his resurrection, we are conquerors of death, too. Those precious waters bring new life to our parched souls. Since gladness and joy are stalking us, we can now enjoy each day as God’s gift of life, using our time for his labor.

Jesus has redeemed us from death by rising on Easter. Baptized into his resurrection, we are conquerors of death, too. Those precious waters bring new life to our parched souls. Since gladness and joy are stalking us, we can now enjoy each day as God’s gift of life, using our time for his labor.

Unbelieving eyes see no change in this world since Jesus was born, but to the eyes of faith in the Savior, everything has changed. Sorrow and sighing must flee, for Jesus lives in us with his everlasting love for our everlasting life.

D. Unbelieving eyes see no change in this world since Jesus was born, but to the eyes of faith in the Savior, everything has changed. Sorrow and sighing must flee, for Jesus lives in us with his everlasting love for our everlasting life.

Our Joyful Task

As we wait for joy to fully overtake us, James reminds us of our task, to be patient until the Lord’s coming. Trust God’s promise that gladness and joy will never lose your scent.

B. As you patiently await the consummation of joy, be an agent of joy yourself:

As you patiently await the consummation of joy, be an agent of joy yourself:

(1) Alleviate as much human suffering here on earth as you can.

Alleviate as much human suffering here on earth as you can.

Track down the unbelievers you know and pursue them with the Gospel message. Though they may have resisted you in the past, be as persistent in your Gospel-stalking as God has been in persistently pursuing you with forgiveness and joy.

(2) Track down the unbelievers you know and pursue them with the Gospel message. Though they may have resisted you in the past, be as persistent in your Gospel-stalking as God has been in persistently pursuing you with forgiveness and joy.

(3) As someone has quipped, “If the joy of Jesus is in your heart, don’t forget to tell your face.” Let your face be the billboard that lets the world know: sin, death, and sorrow have been overtaken in you by the joy of knowing Jesus.

As someone has quipped, “If the joy of Jesus is in your heart, don’t forget to tell your face.” Let your face be the billboard that lets the world know: sin, death, and sorrow have been overtaken in you by the joy of knowing Jesus.

They’re after you, gladness and joy. Not only are they after you, they are upon you through the present blessing of salvation that comes through faith in Jesus. Although causes for sorrow and sighing abound, Jesus is an even greater cause of joy. Soon we will sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” “Rejoice, you pilgrim throng,” and be patient until that day when the tracking and trailing will be complete and you will be overtaken by joy