Fourth Sunday in Advent

“I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness” are the words proclaimed in faithful witness by John. Standing firm in the truth of who he is and his purpose within his calling, John speaks into the confused hearts and minds of those seeking someone other than himself. As we witness this dialogue between John and the “priests and Levites from Jerusalem,” who were sent by the Jews we behold the very purpose for the Office of Holy Ministry - that is to point souls to Jesus.

“I am not the Christ,” is and ought to be the cry of all who stand in this pulpit and administer these sacraments. The sure and certain duty of the servants of the Church is to point you - your weary, beaten, and battered soul - from the wilderness to the peace of salvation within the ark of the Church. Therein you find the comfort in the true love of God for you - Word and Sacrament - peace and nourishment - hope in salvation.

Now, this morning, let’s look at three questions that arise from this dialogue of John. First, what is the wilderness? Second, what is the voice? And third, what is the comfort?

The wilderness. As often found in Scripture, the wilderness is a place of chaos. It’s outside of a comfortable living space. Wilderness tends to be where people go to die, where the sick are sent, where evil prevails and the orderly diminishes. You will notice the cities of biblical times were often walled - gated - protected - from the wilderness. So long as you were within the walls, you were, for the most part safe. But out there, in the wilderness, you were left to the possibility of whatever lurked around the corner.

The wilderness can be looked at as the opposite of God’s good and gracious will in creation. God’s creation was paradise. All was harmonious. There was no need to fear the lion or the adder. All creatures great and small were for the purpose of faithful living in love among the creation and before the Creator. But then sin slithered into the heart of man and the image of peace was lost. Peace among and with God’s creation became a wilderness. Pride turned the heart of man to himself rather than toward God. Man was removed from paradise and sent into the wilderness. And now, in the midst of this wilderness we live.

The world is a wilderness. The way of the world is opposite the way of the Lord. Out there, the fittest and strongest may rule. The loudest voice may rule. The temptation to have and to hold all that one wishes is what rules. In the wilderness of the world one may go about their time chasing after this and that - succeeding at this and that - amassing this or that - making your home and bed just right and lay your head down in great comfort at night. That certainly is the freedom and ability you have in the world. Be sure to praise God! But also remember, it’s still the wilderness.

Sin crouches at the door. Satan prowls about in all that is attractive in the world. And out there, it’s only a matter of time before the talons and teeth of the evil one pierce your flesh. And if not as noticeable a such, perhaps a gentle nudge of your vision and thoughts upon the sinful pride of yourself.

In this way, life can and will be a wilderness. Be reminded that Jesus never promises smooth sailing for those who love Him. In fact, He promises the opposite. “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake,” Jesus says. (Matthew 10:22) We are certain to struggle at work, with our spouse, with our children, with our temptations and addictions, with our friends. You can certainly go about living life with the fake and sappy happy Facebook post approach to life. And if you do, it is certain that behind that facade is a turbulent turmoil wilderness that ensnares your soul.

The wilderness of life tends to draw us in. Through the attraction of busyness and keeping up with the perceived merits and accomplishments of the neighbors, you’re lulled into the barren and faith-void playground of the world. There in the wilderness and in your self-righteous tendencies, you find a false sense of comfort and peace - a false reality of love. What’s good for you to remember is that love in the wilderness is not shared for your sake - it’s for those posing to love you. They love themselves. In the wilderness is all about surviving for the self. You are a means for another’s pursuit of happiness. Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness was not for His sake. It was for Satan’s benefit, you will recall.

Closer to home, the wilderness casts shadows upon all we say and do and live. I don’t need to list all the ways you are afraid, troubled, and shaken as the days of life go on. Right now, in your own mind, you certainly can relate to the reality that many a wilderness is traversed day in and day out as we go about this crazy thing called life. And again, it’s the way it is because of sin. The world, others, and you are laced with sin that causes a mess of all that was intended good. But even therein, there is a voice that calls to us and points us to the good and gracious will of God for our lives.

The Voice. “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” Recall a time when you were in fear, pain, or discomfort. Some have certainly been in dire need and distress - while others may have been graciously withheld from such. But regardless, we’ve all been in a place where all seems - well, like a wilderness - barren of hope and comfort and love.

Though not a matter of pain or true danger, an example I share with you is when I was homeless my junior year of high school, I was sleeping at whichever friend's house would allow me. And to let you in on a little secret about me, I’m not all that fond of the dark. Much like I’ve been talking about the wilderness, the dark, for me, presents the unknown - the not visible - and for all I know, there’s something out there to get me. And so, one night when at a friend’s home, alone, a storm came through. Peels of lighting. Sheets of rain. Shadows and sounds created quite the wilderness within the house. I was afraid. And it wasn’t until a familiar voice of the friend’s family who had returned fell upon my ears - that there in my wilderness, did I find comfort.

Or, a bit more serious, how about being entombed by rubble that was once your home as a sudden storm has demolished what used to be your neighborhood. And as you lay entombed by what used to be a house, you have thoughts of wondering if this is it. Will you ever be found? Will your last breath be here in this wilderness of destruction? Then, suddenly, piercing through the fear and pain you hear the sound of a comforting voice - help has arrived. A voice calls into your wilderness and you have comfort.

Also, how about being gripped with anxiety and fear and frustration and pain as you struggle through the wilderness of broken relationships, or sickness, or the death of a loved one, what have you. Insert your struggle here. The wilderness of circumstances caused by sin hurt. They strip you of the joy of life. They bleed your soul of the true source that is hope, comfort, and love. Yet in the midst of it all - of your particular wilderness, you will hear it - there is a voice that calls into your wilderness.

No matter your circumstances dear children of God, a voice regularly cries out to you in the wilderness. Like the prophets of old point toward, the disciples of Jesus point of, and your pastor continues to assure you, the voice of God’s promise of the comfort in the true love of God for you - Word and Sacrament - peace and nourishment - hope in salvation continues to call out from the safety and security of the Ark - the Church. The voice of one crying in the wilderness is a sure and certain reminder of the true comfort you have in Jesus.

The Comfort. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” Jesus says. (Matthew 11:28) This is the comfort to which the voice of the prophets, John, and your pastor point. The voice of the Church will continue to call out to those in the wilderness with the hope that they come to the very place that will provide for their weary soul. Here in the Ark, you can rest assured that the voice of God will continue to be front and center of all we do. For only in the truth of His Word do you find the true source of peace, comfort, and love.

Though the temptation of Jesus was for the sake of Satan’s desire to be like God, you will recall that Satan’s defeat came through the very Word of God. Jesus used Scripture to refute any claim Satan made. Then, years later, it was the living Word that would crush the head of the tempter. The call in the wilderness is the Word of God - the source and assurance of all that is good.

Today we give prayer, praise, and thanksgiving for the blessing that is the call in the wilderness - God’s Word. We give thanks for the healing and comfort we receive having been battered by the wilderness - Jesus. It is vital that we hear the voice calling us out of the wilderness into the peace of God’s service for us. For here, and only here, will you be nourished, strengthened, and loved in such a way that benefits your soul. For here, in the ark of the Church - through Word and Sacrament - you are given Jesus. Amen.