Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.   

Our text for this morning is our Gospel lesson.  (38) "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.  This is our text for the day. 

In the Name of Jesus, dear friends in Christ.  When I think of the words of the Virgin Mary, I think of the song “Let it be.”  That was one of the most famous songs of the Beatles back in 1969.  John.  Paul.  George and Ringo.  “Let it be.”  Paul McCartney claims that the song was written in response to a dream that he had about his mother. 

However, others (conspiracy theory people, perhaps) suggest that the song is about drug use.  I hope not.  When I listen to the song I can’t help but think of the Virgin Mary and what she said to the angel Gabriel that day that he appeared to her in the little sleepy town of Nazareth.  “Let it be unto me as you have said.” 

Prior to this time and growing up in Nazareth the Virgin Mary was hardly a character in the history of time.  She was just another person…just another humble young woman growing up in a rustic and rugged Jewish community.  Just another statistic… another name… in the ongoing course of time. 

Well, that would be one way of saying it.  However, as created beings of God we would hardly believe that this is what our God would think of us.  We are all important.  We are all His special creatures and creation…characters on the stage of life. 

And, so, Mary was a character.  A devout and devoted child of God.  One who listened.  One who prayed, certainly.  In fact, tradition says that this is what the Virgin Mary was doing when the angel appeared to her.  Praying.  I think so.  I hope so. 

But, more so, and in keeping with my thoughts this morning about the character of Mary I would suggest that Mary was Ready, Willing, and Able.  Well, maybe I’ll mix up the order of these things.  I think Mary was Able, Ready and Willing. 

            First of all, the Virgin Mary was Able.  She was able to be a character in the Christmas story.  She was pledged to be married to Joseph.  Sometimes we forget that this arranged marriage plans were taking place before the appearance of the angel Gabriel. 

            She was Able because both she and Joseph were descendants of King David.  Our Old Testament lesson today reminds us of this fact and how important this was to the mind and the focus of our God…and as God did everything “in His time” and according to His eternal plan.  And both Joseph and Mary were “Able” in this sense because they were of the right lineage. 

            And then the angel comes.  Verse  (28) The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 

            Mary was “highly favored” but God can still only use normal human beings and the Virgin Mary was a normal, everyday human being.  “Highly favored”…yes.  But just like us.  She was Able but she knew the Lord and had the Lord in her heart and this gave her the Ability…being Able. 

            And this is what God does in Jesus Christ.  He made her Able.  He makes us Able.  His Holy Spirit comes into our hearts and touches our lives.  Yes, He makes us Able…Able to respond in faith.  Able to be ready for Christmas and ready for life.  Able. 

            Secondly the Virgin Mary was ready.  Ready.  Oh, Mary was greatly troubled by the words of the Angel.  Who wouldn’t be?  Verse (29) Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. (30) But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.   

Have you ever noticed in the pages of the Bible that the first thing that the angels have to say is “Fear not” or “Don’t be afraid.”  Angels bring fear into the hearts of men because they are extraordinary…out of the ordinary…out of the everyday run of life.   

Oh, I know that our myriad of TV shows about angels and celestial beings suggest that no one gives much thought about seeing angels and chatting with them.  Even Jimmy Stewart in “It’s A Wonderful Life” doesn’t seem to do a double take about the appearance of Clarence the Angel.  He doesn’t seem that scared or frightened.  

But, let me assure you (well, not from personal experience)…but let me assure you, I think that angels pretty much strike fear into the hearts of men.  “Fear not.  Don’t be afraid.” 

So, because of her background and availability, Mary was Able.  But was she ready?  Was she Ready for such an appearance?  Well, it really wasn’t so much about her as it was about God.  God was ready…ready to fulfill the promise of the ages and God was ready to use someone like Mary to accomplish His purposes. 

And this is what God would do.  Verse

(31) You will be with child and give birth to a son,

God would cause her to be with child.

and you are to give him the name Jesus.

He would have that name “Jesus” which means “Savior.”  The same encouragement that the angel gave Joseph (as we heard last Thursday night).

And Verse (32) He will be great and will be called The Son of the Most High.

He would be no ordinary man or human being.  He would be so much more.

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

Again, this was part of the promise.

And verse (33) and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever;

What a promise!

And his kingdom will never end." 

This is what God would do.  And this is also what God does in Jesus Christ.  He makes things ready…and He makes things ready in our lives too.  He gives us the wonderful assurance of salvation…that same Jesus the Savior who was for Mary and Joseph and for the world of that time is the Savior who is for us today.  What God does in Jesus Christ through the power of His Holy Spirit is that He makes us ready.  Able and Ready.  Able and Ready. 

And thirdly, the Virgin Mary was Willing.  This is the more tricky part of the story, I feel.  Many are Able.  Many are Ready.  But are they willing?  Are they willing? 

Remember the bumper sticker that used to be circulating?  It said, “Honk if you love Jesus.”  Someone said that he saw an alternative bumper sticker to this one.  It said, “Tithe if you love Jesus.  Anyone can honk.”   

Well, that sounds a little legalistic but you get the point.  The Virgin Mary was Willing.  Oh, she did ask the question, “How will this be?”  She was engaged…yes…but she and her husband-to-be, Joseph, had not been intimate.   

And for Mary this question was more of a question of resolute obedience than it was one of fear and doubt.  “How will this be?” she was asking.  She knew that Joseph as a sinful human being and she herself as a sinful human being could not bear
§                     A Savior
§                     The Son of the Most High
§                     Someone who would be like this.

It was not humanly possible.  It was not humanly possible. 

Mary was willing…but how could this happen?  And, so, God explained in verse (35) The angel answered, "the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 

The angel also pointed to her cousin Elizabeth who was finally going to have a child herself.  God was performing a miracle in Elizabeth and God would be performing a miracle in her.  Verse (37) For nothing is impossible with God."  For nothing is impossible with God. 

            And Mary was willing.  “Let it be,” she said.  Verse (38) "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. 

The Virgin Mary was willing.  Are we willing?  Now, I’m not saying that we would ever have the honor and the challenge that Mary had.  We should be so favored.  But what God does in Jesus Christ is that He gives us opportunities to also express our willingness.   

We can worship Him.  We can read His Word.  We can sing His praises.  We can raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  We can give.  We can lead.  We can serve.  Wow!  And all we need to do is be willing, by God’s grace.  Willing. 

So, this is the character of the Virgin Mary and this is the character of Advent.  What about you?  What about me?  What are our character references for today? 

I would suggest four brief character references.  First of all, the Lord is with you.  If you believe and trust and confess in Jesus as your Lord and Savior through the power of the Holy Spirit the Lord is indeed with you.  The Lord is with you. 

Secondly, do not be afraid.  No one is sure that will happen in their lives today or tomorrow or in the New Year soon to come.  No one knows.  But you do not have to be afraid.  The Lord is with you and the Lord will take care of you.  Here and now.  Or there and in eternity.  Forever.  The Lord is with you in Jesus. 

Thirdly, how will this be?  Well, it is by the grace of God.  It is His power and not yours or anyone else’s.  It is His power, just as surely it was His power in the life of the Virgin Mary. 

And fourthly, we need the power and strength and resolve to say as Mary did…”let it be.”  Let it be unto me as you have said.  Verse (38) "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. 

Let it be.  That is what our God does in Jesus Christ through the power of His Spirit.  And may we let is be as we commit our lives to Jesus…as we commit and recommit our lives…as we confess our sins…as we repent of them and believe the Gospel…the Good News, the Glad Tidings in Jesus Christ our Lord.  May God grant this to us for Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

(26) In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, (27) to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. (28) The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 

(29) Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. (30) But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. (31) You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. (32) He will be great and will be called The Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, (33) and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." 

(34) "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" 

(35) The angel answered, "the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (36) Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. (37) For nothing is impossible with God." 

(38) "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. 

           At this time in our worship and memorial service I would like to read the Godly (and Christian) biography of Isaiah Ben Amoz. 

Isaiah Ben Amoz, child and son of Amoz (brother of Amaziah the King and of royal blood) and Isabel…was born in the 8^th Century Before Christ on May 9 in 740 B.C. (Before the Christian or Common Era) in Jerusalem during the reign of good king Uzziah in Judah.  Isaiah Ben Amoz, as you know, was truly one of God’s special characters. 

His name means “Jahweh or Jehovah saves” or “Jahweh or Jehovah is salvation.”  He grew up in Jerusalem where he spent most of his childhood and adult life and ended up assuming his prophetic office during the year that King Uzziah died. 

Isaiah was married to Haiasi (high-ah-si) “the prophetess” (8:3) and their marriage was blessed with two children, Shear-jashubl (shear-jash-who-bull) (whose name means “a remnant shall return) (7:3) and Maher-shalalhashbaz (maa-her-shall-all-hash-bazz) (whose name means “haste ye to the spoil”) (8:3), names which indicated the ministry of Isaiah which was to come.  Isaiah and Haiasi (high-ah-si), as you know, called them “Shear” and “Maher” for short. 

Isaiah Ben Amoz himself went by several different God-given names and was definitely a child of God and a man of righteous character.  He was called “servant of Jahweh or Jehovah”…and another name was “messenger of Jahweh or Jehovah” and he was specially commissioned by God to discharge certain duties for him.  He was called a “seer”…a name which perhaps demonstrates how he received most of his messages…by dreams and visions of our Lord God.  He demonstrated how it takes character to be a seer and servant of God. 

Isaiah Ben Amoz was called into the holy ministry in a special vision in the temple of the Lord in what he indicates was the year that King Uzziah died.  In his prophetic writings…what we call the book of Isaiah… he indicates that he saw a vision of the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted and that the train of the Lord God…his robe…was filling the Temple.   

In this wild and special vision in the holy Temple he saw six winged angel seraphs…two wings covering their faces, two wings covering their feet, and two wings with which to fly.  He writes that he was amazed that they were calling to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.”  (6:3) 

Despite his strong character and background, Isaiah Ben Amoz indicates that he was blown away by the scene and cried out, “Woe is me.  I am ruined, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”  (6:5)  Yes, Isaiah definitely knew that he was a sinner and in need of the redeeming Lord. 

Communion with God was always important to Isaiah…most likely because on the day of his call he had a special sacramental experience with the Lord God as one of the seraph angels flew to the temple brazier…took out a live coal and placed it on his tongue.  Talk about a fiery encounter or the words of God literally burning into a person’s soul! 

Isaiah recalled the voice of the Lord at this point in his call vision and indicated that God provided the grounds for his character references by saying, “your guilt is taken away and your sin is atoned for.”  (6:7)   

That’s why Isaiah ways that he was now ready for service and responded to the Lord’s cry, “Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?” (6:8) And, true to character and in all humility, Isaiah writes that he called out, “Here am I.  Send me!  (Pause)  Send me.”  (6:8)   

Isaiah Ben Amoz served under several Judean kings—
Uzziah (also known as Azariah), 
Jotham, 
Ahaz, 
good King Hezekiah, 
and into the reign of Manasseh, 
some 44 years and another five years of semi-retirement.   

As you know, he was no wall flower.  For example, in strong character and boldness, he came forth and publicly rebuked King Jotham for his extravagances in spending, gift-giving and pretend religious devotion.  He was truly a prophet, speaking judgment from our Lord God. 

Sometimes Isaiah’s prophetic book is called the fifth Gospel in the Bible…or more accurately, the first Gospel.  It is the longest prophecy in the Bible and the book itself finds that there are only two Biblical books longer than his…the books of Jeremiah and the Psalms. 

His prophecy naturally divides itself well into two parts—chapters 1-39 which are words about judgment and chapters 40-66 which are words about comfort and hope.  However, mixed within the chapters one finds that Isaiah spoke words of promise and wove them into his prophetic narrative. 

Strangely enough, some pseudo-psychologists would suggest that Isaiah had the equivalent of two personalities or even three.   Jealous classmates gave him the name “Deuter” for two and “Trito” for three but Isaiah would be the first person to admit that he was simply one person with much to say about the past, the present and the future.  After all, that’s what a prophet does.  He speaks in words of prophecy, foretelling and forth-telling. 

As you know, as a person reads the pages of Isaiah the figure of the coming Lord Jesus Christ jumps off the pages.  In fact, Isaiah is quoted in the New Testament more than any other prophet or character.   

He speaks of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, in a variety of ways—as Branch, as Stone, as Light, as Child, and as King.  He prophecies of the destiny of His people, Israel, and of the future of the Gentiles.  He focuses on Jerusalem which is called “Zion” and on the King who will reign in the eternal Jerusalem and Zion. 

His words about the Messiah describe many things.  For example, Isaiah chapter 6 describes his holiness.  “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of Sabaoth.”  (6:3)  Chapter 7 talks of his birth and his name.  “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:  The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”  (7:14)   

Chapter 9 proclaims him as God.  “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  (9:6)   

Chapter 35 tells what will happen in the day of the Messiah.  It says, “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.  Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.  Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.”  (35:5-6)  

Isaiah chapter 40 tells of the joy of salvation.  It reads, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”  (40:1-2) 

Chapter 53 describes his work as the suffering servant.  “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed.”  (53:4-5). 

And chapter 61 talks about the ministry of this Messiah in the year of the Lord’s favor.  “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  (61:1-2) 

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife and his two sons.  After his long and fruitful and sometimes frustrating ministry Isaiah suffered martyrdom at the hands of some rebellious pagans during Manasseh’s reign.  The circumstances of his death indicate that he was sawed in half with a wooden saw, as referenced in the New Testament in Hebrews 11, verse 37, in the year 681 B.C. at the age of 89 years, 6 months and 6 days. 

Committal was in an unmarked grave somewhere in the vicinity of Jerusalem.  “Earth to earth…ashes to ashes in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection of all flesh.”  (Book of Common Prayer, based on Genesis 3:19) 

A memorial and proclamation Communion fellowship sacramental lunch for the family and friends of Isaiah Ben Amoz the Prophet will be served  

(8:00 only: – in this worship service following a time of prayer and the gathering of the offering.  It will recall with joy God’s Communion with us in the Messiah, Jesus Christ and proclaim His death until He comes.) 

(10:30 only:  – next Sunday in this 10:30 worship service following a time of prayer and the gathering of the offering.  It will recall with joy God’s Communion with us in the Messiah, Jesus Christ and proclaim His death until He comes.)   

Christ the Messiah is risen…He is risen indeed!  May we commit and recommit our lives to Jesus as we confess our sins…as we repent of them and lay them at the foot of the cross of our suffering Savior and as we consider the newborn King in Jerusalem…King Jesus, born in a manger.   

May God grant this to us for Jesus’ sake.  Amen  

     Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.   

Our text for this morning as we conclude our series of “Heavy Words” is Jesus’ account of what’s going to happen at the end of time.  We read in verse (40) The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.”  This is our text for the day! 

In the Name of Jesus, dear friends in Christ.  This is not a parable.  It is a courtroom scene.  How many of you have ever been in court?  Well, a lot of us have been in court…but many of us have not.  I don’t know if it’s a scary place to be or not.  It can be.   

If there’s a crime involved or a dissolution of marriage or a custody battle or a termination of relationship or business, it is somewhat scary to be in court.  But if it is to adopt a child or to vindicate someone, it can be rather pleasant. 

In my 45 rpm record collection I have a song that starts with the scene of a courtroom.  It begins with a judges gavel striking three times and then it has the words, “Order in the court, my heart is trial, I solemnly say, ‘I do,’ and if this a crime, that I’m doomed for all time, I’m guilty of loving you.” 

Well, it’s just a fluff song and probably wasn’t a real popular recording…but I think that there’s some truth to the words.  As we consider the word “JustificaTiON” we know that if God weighs our sins in the balance we are in big, big, deep trouble.”   

We are guilty…but God is even more guilty…in fact, on this last Sunday of the Church Year, as we go back today to the events of Holy Week and Good Friday we find that it is God and not us who is eternally guilty of expressing His love for us in Jesus Christ.   

Yes, it is God who is guilty of loving us, as related so well in John 3:16…”For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” 

And, yet, as we look at this wonderful account of the Last Things in Matthew 25 we find that we, and many, are Confused About Justice and JustificaTiON.

As we said, this is not really a parable in Matthew 25…in fact, Jesus switches gears in our text and goes from all of these wonderful parables and stories (“earthly stories with heavenly meanings” which is our definition of parables)…He goes from His thoughts about time and talents and treasure and directs our thoughts to the end of time, whenever that will be…and He points us to the throne. 

As I note in my outline, it’s a story about the end of time…and the great King separating the sheep from the goats…the sheep on the right (the hand of power for the King) and goats on the left. 

And, then, there’s this surprise…in fact, it’s one of the biggest surprises in all of Scripture.  It is the surprise of eternity…of heaven…of eternal life.  I can’t help but think of that song, “I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry” in the Best of the Best…in Verse 3, 

In the middle ages of your life, 
Not too old, no longer young,
I’ll be there to guide you through the night,
Complete what I’ve begun. 

When the evening gently closes in
And you shut your weary eyes,
I’ll be there as I have always been
With just one more surprise. 

I was there to hear your borning cry,
I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
To see your life unfold. 

(Credits: Words and Music by John Ylvisaker, Copyright 1985; Reprint permission secured through CCLI; License # 591831) 

            The “big surprise” is the surprise of heaven…the “surprise” of eternal life.  Oh, I know that we cling to this by faith…I know that we believe and trust in this promise…but I think the reality of heaven and eternity and eternal life will still be a surprise and will literally “blow us away.”  Hebrews 11, verse (1) reads, Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  (repeat) 

            But what a surprise that will be on that day.  And there are hints of this in our text for today…especially verse (37) Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see you 
Hungry and feed you,
Or thirsty and give you something to drink?
(38) When did we see you a stranger and invite you in,
Or needing clothes and clothe you?
(39) When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit You?
            And the King assures the people on His right…when you did it for others you did it for me.  Verse (40) The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.’