Preacher to Preacher

From the Editors

Preparing to preach during the Advent season can be a challenge. How many times can you preach a fresh message and find a new truth in a story that largely consists of four gospel chapters? (Matthew 1—2; Luke 1—2). It helps to remember what the theme of Advent is really all about.

Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” If we were to talk about the advent of the automobile, it would be a description of the first time a car came on the scene. Advent became a part of the Christian calendar as a way to focus on the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ as a baby in his first “arrival/appearance,” and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his second “arrival/appearance.”

During this time of year we often focus our attention on Jesus’ first coming with stars, angels, the baby in a manger, and the incarnation of God in the flesh (as we should). But the season also invites us to look forward to Jesus coming again in power to reign over the world in his Second Advent.

All of this means that Advent proclaims a basic message: “God is coming! It’s time for a change!” This was the primary message of John the Baptist, the first Advent preacher: “Prepare a pathway for the Lord’s coming! Make a straight road for him!” Matthew 3:3 (NLT).

Advent preaching is what calls forth those gospel changes in people’s lives: changes in behavior, changes in mindset, and changes in ways of thinking. Those kinds of changes can be uncomfortable and painful. And because people avoid pain, our natural tendency is to resist change. But as ministers of the gospel, we know that too much comfort is dangerous. Literally.

John Ortberg tells the story of researchers at the University of California at Berkeley. They conducted an experiment some time ago that involved introducing an amoeba into a perfectly stress-free environment: ideal temperature, optimal concentration of moisture, constant food supply. The amoeba had an environment to which it had to make no adjustment whatsoever.

So you would guess this was one happy little amoeba. Whatever it is that gives amoebae ulcers and high blood pressure was gone. Yet, oddly enough, it died.
Apparently there is something about all living creatures, even amoebae that demands challenge. We require change, adaptation, and challenge the way we require food and air. Comfort alone will kill us. That is especially true in our spiritual lives.

That’s what makes Advent preaching so important. It sends forth the clarion call: “God is coming! It’s time for a change!” John the Baptist knew that message would make some people uncomfortable. But if the result of too much comfort is death, a little discomfort doesn’t seem so bad after all!