Sunday Before Advent (B C P). Series

Psalm 85:8-13, Jeremiah 23:5-8, Colossians 1:13-20, John 6:5-14.

A). THE FLOURISHING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Psalm 85:8-13.

The Psalmist - the believer, standing for the church - stops in his tracks and listens to what God has to say (Psalm 85:8-9). It is as we systematically and habitually study the Bible that we will be in a position to hear the still small voice which applies God’s Word to our own perplexities. This is a good place to receive an answer to our prayers.

The LORD promises peace, providing we do not return to folly (Psalm 85:8). When we have a true evangelical fear (reverence) of God, the fullness of His salvation draws near (Psalm 85:9). God’s glory returned to the Temple in Jerusalem (Haggai 2:9), and from there the peace of the Gospel emanated throughout the world (Acts 1:8).

The vision of this salvation is seen in the pencil sketches of the closing verses (Psalm 85:10-13). Four characteristics meet and embrace (Psalm 85:10), and heaven and earth work together to secure our salvation (Psalm 85:11-12). The LORD Himself is seen walking in our midst (Psalm 85:13), just as He did in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8).

The four characteristics are:

1. Mercy, arising out of a steadfast covenant love;

2. Truth, and faithfulness to the truth;

3. Righteousness, or justice, arising out of a right relationship with God;

4. Peace, indicating completion, perfection, fullness, health, success, well-being, rest, harmony, and prosperity.

Where do mercy and truth meet together, righteousness and peace embrace? In the Cross of Jesus Christ, where God is both just and the Justifier (Romans 3:26): meting out just judgment upon sin whilst at the same time being merciful to the sinners (Isaiah 53:4-6). There God’s justice is not violated, but rather His righteousness fulfilled; and there we are “justified by faith, and have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

God’s truth is personified in our great High Priest, who in the incarnation effectively “sprang out of the earth” (Psalm 85:11). God’s righteousness looks upon those whom He has justified as being made righteous in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thus we see the joining of the interests of heaven and earth in the mission of our redemption (Luke 2:14).

Subsequently, we see the earth yielding her increase (Psalm 85:12). This is clearly a gift of God, but also a consequence of right priorities (Matthew 6:33). Only when we put God first will righteousness flourish, and have free course in the world of men (Psalm 85:13).

B). THE BRANCH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Jeremiah 23:5-8.

“Behold… the word of the LORD,” (JEREMIAH 23:5). The prophet uses the image of a righteous Branch growing out of a felled tree – which so wonderfully typifies God’s dealings with His people. Just when the tree of David seems to be left without hope, without offspring, this Branch emerges to establish justice and righteousness in the world (cf. Psalm 72:1-2). At a time when it seemed that the kingdom of Judah was being cut to its very roots, there could be no greater reassurance (cf. Isaiah 11:1).

The last king of Judah was Zedekiah, whose name means ‘my righteousness is the LORD’ – which is somewhat ironic since it is on record that he did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet ‘who spoke the word of the LORD’ (2 Chronicles 36:11-12).

In a deliberate play on words, the name of the rightful king in Jeremiah’s prophecy – the one who brings salvation, and a safe dwelling place for His people (cf. Psalm 23:6) - is ‘the LORD our righteousness’ (JEREMIAH 23:6). This King is Jesus, and He becomes our righteousness - making us righteous - when we put our trust in Him (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21).

So what will God do with us when we lack leadership in our churches, and have in our midst those who would seek to devour us (cf. John 10:10) and lead us astray (cf. Matthew 24:24)? If we are truly His, He will discipline us (cf. Hebrews 12:6), but He will not cast off forever (cf. Lamentations 3:31-32). When we are as ‘sheep without a shepherd’ (cf. Matthew 9:36), He will personally take care to gather again His people and bring them back to the fold (cf. Jeremiah 23:3).

We are familiar with this idea from Psalm 23:3 – the LORD ‘restores’ us – or ‘brings us back’ – a concept which those who have been backslidden will well understand. The lost sheep is restored to the flock (cf. Luke 15:4-6). The lost flock is restored to the land (JEREMIAH 23:7-8).

C). THE PRE-EMINENCE OF CHRIST.

Colossians 1:13-20.

Paul celebrates the fact that the Father has already qualified us to receive the inheritance which awaits His saints. We are delivered from the power of darkness and have been translated into the kingdom of His dear Son (COLOSSIANS 1:13). This is not just ‘pie in the sky when I die’, but a present reality for all who trust in Jesus.