Beginning with Epiphany and Jesus' baptism, St. Luke began a new series looking at the different character attributes of God. In Epiphany, we ask the question, "What is God revealing to us about himself. Surprisingly, in Jesus' baptism we see that God wants us to him as a family man, someone who is part of a loving home. Do we want to be a part of God's home, or the broken home of Herod? These are the options that James puts forward for us to consider from our text.
James unpacks the prophet Malachi, who speaks of the coming of the messenger of the Lord as well as someone who will clean and purify his people. Using references to Shel Silverstein, Calvin and Hobbes, and the science of soap, he covers how the person of God. moves into the messiness of his people to wash and make them clean
James unpacks Zechariah 14 and the prophet's apocalyptic call for a future day of the Lord. Unpacking Zechariah's surreal imagery, James shares an insight from Fleming Rutledge to describe God's activity in Advent: "God is the subject of the verb." Our response is to flee into his valley of refuge, embracing the surreal nature of disorientation, while looking for the light of Christ.
James unpacks Jesus' interactions with Pontius Pilate on Christ the King Sunday. Jesus maintains supernatural poise as he faces the lies, and questioning of his opponents. He points Pilate and us to the TRUTH, as the truth will always point to Jesus and allow for us to see the kingdoms and idolatries that get in the way.