2024 Advent Devotion: Day 11

Wednesday,  December 11

Isaiah 35:3-7; Luke 7:18-30

I’ve heard it said before that everyone is either entering a trial, in the midst of a trial, or coming out of a trial. We’ve all walked the difficult roads of discouragement, grief, fear, and pain. We’ve felt, individually and collectively, the loneliness and confusion of the dark night of the soul. These emotions occur hand in hand with the human experience and, oftentimes, are worn as badges of honor as we trudge forward on our paths. These experiences produce the yearning for hope

and restoration.

In Isaiah 35:3-7, the prophetic voice is addressing God’s people and calling them to strengthen their weak hands, make firm their feeble knees, and speak over the fearful hearts to “Be strong and do not fear!” But why make the effort to gather the immense fortitude and resilience required to push through the dark night of the soul? Why continue to gather as the Church amidst so much pain and darkness in this world? “Here is your God . . . He will come and save you” (Isaiah 35:4). This text shows the great joys found in those who have been set free, those who have been redeemed both spiritually and physically. The redemption we seek comes from God alone who will transform our lives completely. Blind eyes shall see; deaf ears will hear; the lame will leap; speechless tongues shall sing for joy.

Those of us who have experienced feelings of exile, marginalization, or wilderness wanderings can joyfully shout out, for God redeems and makes all things new. Is this not the newness in our lives and world that we all desire? But what if God’s version of newness forces us to see him in a different and unexpected way? In Luke 7:18-30, John questions whether Jesus is the Coming One. Perhaps the circulating reports of Jesus were far from John’s expectations. Yet, how often do we experience this same thing? The pictures we painted of Jesus as a child often do not align with our adult experiences of him. He shows up differently than we expected; his timing feels “off,” or perhaps he even seems silent. Take heart, for so many of us have also encountered a different Jesus than once imagined. In our disappointments Jesus speaks: “Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me” (Luke 7:23). Rather than taking offense with an unexpected version of Jesus, his followers can respond in faith and continue his work of newness in this world.

Jesus is the embodiment of the hope we desire, the fulfillment of God’s promises to the weak and hurting, and the one through whom God will renew all things spiritually and physically, individually and collectively. God’s vision of restoration should be embodied in our own kingdom work. Yes, we all experience troubles. Perhaps you are hurting in this very moment. Jesus knows, and he IS near. Through his teachings, miracles, and newness, we find his healing for our brokenness. Let’s carry this hope with us into the Advent season!

Amber Carrell
School of Divinity Student