Today’s Advent Reflection is from Mark Hackney.
How Great and Glorious it is to have the Word of God! (Martin Luther).
Romans 15:1-13
We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbour for the good purpose of building up the neighbour. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
‘Therefore, I will confess you among the Gentiles,
and sing praises to your name’
and again he says,
‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’;
and again,
‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples praise him’;
and again Isaiah says,
‘The root of Jesse shall come,
the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope.’
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection
In verse 4 of today’s passage, Paul tells us that being a Christian means loving scriptures like Jesus. We too must love the Word of God.
Jesus prepared for his temptation in the desert by studying Deuteronomy, and he reflected on prophecies in the Psalms as he prepared himself for the cross. As Christians we must follow Jesus’ example and, in a similar fashion, gain the inspiration and comfort that He did. For: ‘whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.’
I’d like to ponder on the wonder of the Bible, our Holy, life-saving book. Or rather, our holy anthology of sixty-six books. Three completely random, light, Biblical facts for starters:
The longest name in the Bible is Maher-shalal-hash-baz (Isaiah 8.1). It means ‘quick to the plunder, fast to the prey’. (No words in the Bible are more than six syllables long.)
Some Bible ‘Firsts’: First person to laugh – Abraham; first person to weep – Hagar; first person to get drunk – Noah; first kiss -Isaac and Jacob.
Some English expressions of Biblical origin: ‘at one’s wits’ end’ (Psalm 107.27); ‘gird one’s loins’ (Job 38.3); ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ (Matthew 7.15).
Interesting as these facts are (if you found them so!), The Bible generates more weighty consideration because it is the world’s bestselling book, breaking all records known. According to The Guinness Book of World Records, since 1815 the Bible has sold approximately 2.5 billion copies and has been translated into more than 2,200 languages or dialects. The Bible’s influence is not limited to Christians; Jews and Muslims also consider the Bible to be a sacred text. If you think of how there are 2 billion Christians, 14 million Jews and 1.3 billion Muslims, that means that more than half of the world’s population consider the Bible to be a major influence on their faith.
And, most importantly of all, it is the Word of God.
I read the Bible to learn; it teaches me to possess the courage to live in patience and hope. It tells me who Jesus is, and it explains for me the significance of what He did. The Bible provides the deep, nourishing roots with which I can grow; roots that run deep, feeding me, filling me with goodness.
My Bible is my reliable friend too, always there when needed. We say it is a ‘living book’ because it is dynamic, able to speak to us in all manner of different ways.
For example, you have, very probably, had the experience where, when you were once feeling flat, sad or troubled, you opened your Bible at a random page and started reading. To your thankful relief, the words that found you really hit the spot, they were exactly what you needed to hear at that moment in your life. The Bible comforts as well as providing instruction and inspiration. It was my Bible that told me, in the first place, what to do whenever I am feeling down: ‘Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.’ (Philippians 4.6).
In addition to providing much-needed comfort, I also find that the Bible, through reading it with/in the Spirit, fulfils utterly the wish with which today’s passage from Romans concludes: ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’
There is so much joy in the Bible. It is brim-full of joy! I only have the space for one example - I’ll look forward to what is to come in just a few weeks’ time.
Joy surrounds the birth of Jesus, and Mary’s joy is shared by the shepherds on behalf of all the people (Luke 2.10), and by the wise men, who are said to be overwhelmed with joy’ (Matthew 2.10). John the Baptist declares that the coming of Jesus causes his joy to be fulfilled (John 3.29). And Jesus, during his ministry, will tell all of that most powerful sort of joy that can only come from God.
Our passage for today reminds us that ‘Christian’ means being more like Christ; Paul tells us to imitate Jesus whenever we can. If Jesus studied Scriptures…