Readings: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Isaiah 40:1-11; John 1:19-28

Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son.

May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.

May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.

May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.

May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.

May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.

In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen. Psalm 72, NRSV

How many times during the summer months have we not seen rain in a few days and the grass turns a little bit brown? Do we not hope for that refreshing, renewing rain? 

And that’s what Jesus comes to do.

He comes to refresh, renew us, refresh us with the forgiveness of our sins, and refresh us with the gift of everlasting life. 

He wants us to have these things and know how much we are loved.

He wants us to receive them, as that which only he does, to refresh us and renew us.

Will we always flourish on earth? NO.

But when we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we are already flourishing in a spiritual way. We already have been given the greatest gift of all. We have already been given the gift of righteousness, forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. As we receive and embrace this truth, we are already abounding. And this will not only continue until the moon is no more, but beyond it for all eternity because of Jesus, our Savior, because of our King.

Dear Lord Jesus,

As we remember your first coming, help us to see all that you have done and given, the righteousness that you have showered upon us, as rain upon the earth. Fill us with hope in you, and comfort us with your presence, and sustain us by your gifts, as we wait on you, that we may wait, embracing your love, your goodness, your righteousness, your gift of salvation. Amen.

Words and Image offered by Donna Eby, child of God.