Matthew introduces John the Baptist, who is the one to prepare the way for Jesus. John is introduced as a prophetic figure in the vein of Elijah or Isaiah who called God’s people into Repentance. John’s is a harsh word, but in repentance and fire there is the Good News of fruit.

In Isaiah 2, the prophet provides a telescopic vision of restoration in the immediate for historical Jerusalem, as well as an eschatological hope for the renewal of God’s people in ‘end times.’ Everything is gonna change. What does this mean for us?

Our passage uses words like word; instruction; commandments; rules as references to God’s Laws. We may read into these words connotations of restriction, constraint, or legalism. But the psalmist sings of wanting to be opened up to the “wonders” of God’s Instruction,” and of “longing” for his rules. What does it look like to wonder at God’s Law? As if they were alive and full of profound mystery?

In the extraordinary moments in life, do we stand in wonder at the unimaginable deeds of God, or are we stuck in our own centrism and drama? Don’t be afraid to brag about the works of God!!!

“Who is like you among the gods, LORD? Who is like you, foremost in holiness, worthy of highest praise, doing awesome deeds?” ‭‭

This from Moses’ song after the crossing of the sea. There is none like our God! Let’s shout it!

As this passage shows, true believers' unity can provide a powerful and appealing witness to the world. It reveals the redeeming and reconciling power of Jesus. It shows that relationships can withstand the disappointments and pains of daily life. Unity also enables the body of believers to resist the pressures of the world, to care for those in need, and to take the gospel to the whole world. Living with humility, gentleness, and patience is hard… but why?

“Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” What does it mean to carry one another’s burdens? And how does this relate to restoring another from sin gently (v1) or being sure to carry your own load without comparing oneself to others (v4-5). Compassion (not competition) is a key component of carrying one another.

As the church we are God’s choice, holy and loved. Paul exhorts us to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. A specific expression of these characteristics is through forgiving one another. This is how we love and continue to work towards unity.

In a culture where people are more prone to listen to music on their own with airpods on, it is rare to hear people sing aloud together or recite something together unless alcohol is involved or there is some sort of strange cultic practice involved. And yet, when we gather we sing and we read psalms together and to one another. Why? Joyful singing, praise, and thanksgiving is an outpouring of the Spirit. We encourage and strengthen one another in song, and confirm with one another what is true about God.

Paul chastises the more well-off in the church for being selfish and insensitive to those who were poor. Some were getting drunk and indulging, while there were members in the community in hunger. Paul reiterates that a vital identifier of Christ’s body is how it eats together as Christ commanded. Christ’s table is a table of unity. We are to wait for one another when we eat.