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December 7, 2023

The One Who Changes Everything

Jonathan C. Wallace   |   Read 2 Peter 3:8-15

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Lectionary Week
December 4–10, 2023
Scripture Overview

Hopeful anticipation characterizes this week’s texts. God’s people have come to terms with their inability to save themselves. Isaiah 40 states that Jerusalem has “served her term” in bondage to sin; a new era is about to dawn. Psalm 85 continues the theme of old sins forgiven, emphasizing an urgent need for some fresh outbreak of God’s initiatives. Harmonious and responsible relationships are to dominate the hearts of the people. Thoughts of righteousness and peace also pervade the passage from Second Peter. Yet the focus is clearly on Christ’s Second Advent. His coming will be sudden and unannounced; the new creation will then appear. The Gospel text focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus as John the baptizer comes to sensitize all hearts to the advent of the One promised long ago.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Isaiah 40:1-11. God’s word of comfort brings challenge as well. How are you preparing the way of the Lord?
Read Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13. What glimpses of heaven in your daily life give you confidence in God’s steadfast love?
Read 2 Peter 3:8-15a. How are you using this time of Advent waiting to move toward more faithful living?
Read Mark 1:1-8. What is the new thing that John the Baptizer could teach you? How will you get ready for the coming of the Christ child?

Respond by posting a prayer .

2 Peter 3:8-15

8 Don’t let it escape your notice, dear friends, that with the Lord a single day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a single day. 9 The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a dreadful noise, the elements will be consumed by fire, and the earth and all the works done on it will be exposed. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be? You must live holy and godly lives, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming day of God. Because of that day, the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. 14 Therefore, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found by him in peace—pure and faultless. 15 Consider the patience of our Lord to be salvation, just as our dear friend and brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him,

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Have you ever read the ending of a book before you read the rest of it? Have you ever watched the last fifteen minutes of a film before seeing the rest of it? I confess to having done both. I do feel a bit like a cheater. However, when we...

God of creation, may I stay busy doing your work of proclamation and compassion. I await your righteousness. Amen.


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