Advent 2022: The candle of hope
Read Mark 4:35–5:20.
This morning, we light the first candle of Advent, representing hope. Today, we’ll also read in the Scriptures from Mark 5 about a man in a hopeless situation. A man with an unclean spirit whom “no one could bind” and “no one was strong enough to subdue” (Mark 5:3–4). From our limited perspective, the story is headed toward a heartbreaking and devastating conclusion.
But God did not leave his people without hope! We hear Hannah proclaim it in 1 Samuel 2:7–8, “The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap.” Then, just a few months before Jesus was born, Mary (believing that God is faithful to keep his Word), declared that God “has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble” (Luke 1:51–52).
Why do we have hope as we light this first candle today? Why do we have hope as we meet together every Sunday while the year ticks away with the big unknowns of recession, war and personal struggles? Christ came to save. He is:
the Mighty Life Giver for those dead in sin;
the Lion of Judah for the wandering lambs gone astray (Isaiah 53:6)
the Lamb of God for the sins of the world (John 1:29).
The demon-possessed man was healed and sent away to tell what Jesus had done for him. “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (Mark 5:19). We are told to do likewise: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
Dear God, we ask that our friends and family who have no hope will be amazed by the good news we share of what Christ has done for us! As we light this first candle of Advent, we remind ourselves and encourage one another that our hope is truly built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. In his name, we pray, Amen.
