Word to the Wise
Friday, December 5, 2014 - 1st Week of Advent - Fri
[Isa 29:17-24 and Matt 9:27-31]"On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; and out of gloom and arkness, the eyes of the blind shall see." [Isaiah] "Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, 'Let it be done for you according to your faith.'" [Matthew]
The scriptures for Advent present us with a steady message of promise and fulfillment. Today this is exemplified in the words of Isaiah regarding the healing of the deaf and the blind on the day of the Lord, and Jesus' response to the faith of two blind men. "Let it be done for you according to your faith." Although Isaiah's words and the Gospel of Matthew were written down originally for very different eyes and ears, we read and hear them as promise and fulfillment in our own times as well.
The steady drumbeat of holiday advertising and the obligations of the secular holiday season can easily blind us to what we should be seeing in the spiritual significance of Advent. The loud music can deafen us to the fulfillment of the promise. Isaiah and Jesus challenge us to see and hear the Word of God and know the source of our true hope. Let Jesus' words to the blind men be a particular challenge: "Let it be done for you according to your faith." AMEN