A sermon by Rev. Mitch Hay
Hebrew Scripture Isaiah 11:1-2
Then a shoot will sprout from the stump of Jesse; from Jesse’s roots, a branch will blossom: The spirit of God will rest on you—
a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and strength, a spirit of knowledge and reverence for God.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 3:1-8
At this time John the Baptizer appeared in the desert of Judea, proclaiming, “Change your hearts and minds, for the reign of heaven is about to break in upon you!”
It was John that the prophet Isaiah described when he said, “A herald’s voice cries in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of our God, make straight the paths of God!’”
John was clothed in a garment of camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist. Grasshoppers and wild honey were his food. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him.
When he saw that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were coming to be baptized, John said to them, “You pack of snakes! Who told you to flee from the coming wrath? Give some evidence that you mean to reform!
Gospel Lesson Matthew 11:2-6
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you The One who is to come, or do we wait for another?”
Jesus answered them, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
those who are blind recover their sight;
those who cannot walk are able to walk;
those with leprosy are cured;
those who are deaf hear;
the dead are raised to life;
and the anawim-- the 'have-nots'--
have the Good News preached to them;
blessed is the one who finds no stumbling block in me."
