From Austin Seminary: "Advent Devotional" for December 3

"Advent ushers us into a season of anticipation, hope, and joy, as we await the day of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Messiah ... We intend this Advent Devotional booklet as a gift of the season for you, to signify our deep appreciation for all that you do for Austin Seminary. And we hope that you will share it with others, so that they may also partake in the blessings of Advent alongside us. Be assured that our hearts are joyful to overflowing as we celebrate together this season that anticipates what my dear friend John Rogers described in the title of his book, “The Birth of God.” May your heart overflow, as well."

G. Archer Frierson

Austin Seminary Board of Trustees

• CLICK HERE for a complete, online copy of this season's devotionals.
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Advent Devotional for December 3

• Matthew 21:1-22

These three stories—of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, driving the moneychangers from the temple, and the withering fig tree—seem like an odd collection of ideas to juxtapose like this. Why are they placed side by side? What could the authors who compiled the gospel of Matthew have been thinking? In reality, these three texts bear significantly on the nature of Christ’s advent. In a sense these texts articulate the heart of the Christian gospel.

Unfortunately, we have read these stories so many times we forget how shocking they were in the context of Roman Empire. First, the Romans in particular and the ancient world in general valued power over everything else; humility was unthinkable. Great leaders were those with enormous armies, great physical strength and ruthlessness, and a wealth of resources. Jesus entry into Jerusalem on a donkey not only fulfilled the ancient prophecy of Zachariah, but also provided the very model for the new inbreaking kingdom—and the form of faith to be practiced by his followers. The new Christian movement is a paradoxical form of allegiance to a Lord whose power is not found in might but in kindness and compassion; a form of selfhood that empties one’s self in giving to others; a form of sociality that builds peace and not war. Jesus’ entry on a humble beast says all of this in an image.

The story of Jesus driving money-changers from the temple builds upon the image of the triumphal entry. In this second story, in driving the greedy men from the temple, Jesus is affirming a second thing about his Lordship—the Lord who manifests in peace and humility does not allow duplicity or idolatry. One simply cannot declare Jesus as Lord and at the same time worship money or exploit the poor. Jesus’ Lordship is totalizing—it takes precedent over all idols of money, greed, gluttony, lust, crowns, nations, powers, principalities.

The third story of the barren fig tree reveals that even as Christ comes into the world offering the gift of peace, our response—and the response of all creation—is gratitude and giving gifts to others. In the advent of this Lord of peace we receive God’s gifts with gratitude and our lives bear fruit for others. Just as a fig tree that does not bear figs cannot fulfill the purpose of its creation by God, so a life that does not live in humility, that leaves room to worship other gods, and does not give gifts to others, does not live into the purpose for which we are created.

The Reverend Dr. David White
The C. Ellis and Nancy Gribble Nelson Professor of Christian Education & Professor of Methodist Studies

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For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.

We hope that you are preparing the way for the Lord in your life as you read these meditations and prayers. And, we hope this Advent season is a meaningful one for you. Please know that Austin Seminary’s dedicated, diverse, and loving community of faith is not complete without you. Did you know?

   • Students in our masters-degree programs receive up to 85% need-based tuition aid.
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