Shepherd of the Springs
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

Rorate Coeli: Shower, O Heavens, from Above
“Hearken Ye!” 
Text: Deuteronomy 18.15; Philippians 4.7; John 1.23a  

From the Old Testament of the Day: "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers – it is to him you shall listen." [Deuteronomy 18.15]

From the Epistle of the Day: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4.7]

From the Holy Gospel: He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness." [John 1.23a]

It’s just about time, isn’t it? The day seems so close – too close if you’re not ready for it. That is why this 4^th Sunday of Advent is known as "Expectation Sunday, " from the readings of the day, and from the timing of the calendar. It is to the readings of the day to which your attention is invited, especially the portion just read to you, for they speak of expectation in a way that will bless your Christmastide as you take heed to what the prophetic message of this day contains, as prophet, apostle, and our Lord Himself call out to you – "Hearken Ye!"

I.

The ancient phrase "Hearken Ye!" is presented to your ears and your minds today as it is intended to do. "Hearken" is not a well kn0wn word, be it’s meaning is not foreign – it means "Attention!" "Take Heed!" or the most colloquial use of these days, "Yo!"

And "Ye" is likewise not in everyday vocabulary, but you know it means "You." But not just any "You!" It is a plural word, meaning "all of you!" Together then, "Hearken Ye!" means "Yo y’all!" Yes, that’s the point of "Expectation Sunday!"

But, expect what? That’s why we’re here today – to get our heads and our hearts around the important expectation – the expectation that won’t wear out like new Christmas clothing, won’t whither and shed needles, like your best-ever Christmas tree, and won’t become out-of-date, like your recently most favored electronic device. Expect what lasts!

And that is the message of the texts read to you. The prophet Moses – God’s first prophet sent to God’s recently constituted nation, Israel – declares that after his soon departure from them, they will not be left unguided and unprotected by the truths of God. Prophets will come, sent by God, who will have the same task as Moses – to teach God’s people to expect the final prophet, whose job it is to announce the arrival of the everlasting prophet between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus. For just as Moses foretold of, and led His people to, the promised Land, so the final prophet of foretelling God’s Word will point God’s people to the promised Lad – the Child who is born for us, the Son who is given unto us.

II.

This final prophet is John the Baptist, as he Himself declares: "I am the voice of one crying out in the wildereness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said." Of course, it is also as that first prophet, Moses, said!

There are some important things to learn about John the Baptizer. First of all, he does not look like a herald of some king! In the culture of that day into which our Lord is born is accustomed to see kings in kingly dress, and their heralds, too! But this king is heralded by one who lives in the wilderness, eats bugs, and wears skins from recently robbed animals. Hardly the herald of a king! One wouldn’t expect that!

But, the King that he heralds Himself breaks all the expectations! He will come to claim His throne riding on a donkey, heralded by riff-raff from the red-neck country up there in Galilee. This, of course, because His throne is a cross, a cross that replaces both palace and temple!

So, it is important for you, as a Christian, to likewise expect a Christmas of a different dimension than that which the crowds expect. And so, it is important for you, to be here, in Christ’s Church at this time, for the Christmas you are given here – an annual gift of Christ – until He breaks all the rules and comes for an instantaneous take-over, judgment, and disposal of the entire kingdom of this world, and placing you in that which is to come, an earth and sky in and under which righteousness, peace, joy, and a God-designed humanity exists forever.

III.

Another thing to note about this herald – this John the Baptist is this: He preaches in the wilderness! Imagine that! Imagine that as a plan for church growth! Preaching in the wilderness! Certainly no traffic congestion to worry about going to John’s church!

But you see, John failed to take that course about using the world’s ways in order to attract people and make them buy into your wares! Again, just not the kind of herald, or salesman, that you would expect.

John preaches in the wilderness, and it is the Holy Spirit’s work that brings the crowds out to Him! And out into the wilderness come the crowds. And the Word of God reigns there, in the wilderness. And some who come to heckle are given the Word of God – and it condemns them. And some who come to hearken are given the Word of God – and it creates confession of sins and repentance, and it bestows grace, mercy, faith, and the forgiveness of sins in the waters of Baptism. And the expectation of the Messiah, the Christ, grew thereby, in faith!

IV.

Today’s Epistle from the Apostle St. Paul teaches you how to await, and how to expect, your Savior as you approach so very close to another Christmas celebration: "Rejoice in the Lord always! And again I will say, ‘Rejoice!’ Let your reasonableness" – hmm, what is that? That, my brothers and sisters in Christ, is a gift of modern translations to you! It means to say, "gentleness," "forbearance," or "moderation" as the KJV translates the Greek. It speaks of an attitude toward living – not living to excess, but living to expect!

So, we let St. Paul continue: "Let your gentleness-forbearance-gentleness-moderation be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything – by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving – let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

What a way to live! What a way to expect the joy of the coming days! What a way to expect the ultimate of joy of Christ’s return. What Paul invites you to experience in your expectation is the practice of the truth. The truth is that nothing done, said, written, or that apart from your relationship to Christ is bareness as in the wilderness. But everything that is done, said, written, or thought within and because of your relationship to Christ will truly bring blessings, temporal and eternal.

So, St. Paul teaches you that the focus in which all is done in and for Christ is the focus on God and His work and promises to you! Hence he writes, "The Lord is at hand" – He is near – near to you, near to those for whom you pray – near to those you look to for protection and earthly well-being under the 4^th Commandment – In everything, the Lord is at hand!

So, he writes, "let your requests be made known to God." And he promises – promises as your Apostle, promises on God’s say-so – the peace of God, which passes all understanding --- that means greater than all understanding, known to us only as God reveals it in His Son and in His Holy Word of God – will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus!"

It’s nearly time! It is very close – the joy of Christ, in His coming at Bethlehem, in His coming to you in the Sacrament today, in His coming again! Soon!