Now, Christ has paid the price to redeem sinners, and we are all sinners. Now, faith is gift from God that makes a permanent transformation in a person’s life. Now, understand those who have truly drawn near to Jesus will be found, now, in God’s word and in Christ’s church. Those in Christ, now, will be ready when Christ comes again, then.
God’s love is perfect. God initiates our love relationship with Him. His love, like Mother’s but higher, is unconditional, sacrificial, and permanent.
Admittedly, the Scriptures do not have a great deal to say about Judas. What we do find is not flattering. His dastardly deed is predicted by the minor prophet Zechariah (ref. 11:12-13), then the four Gospel writers bring him into low light.
It is a tradition at Advent to offer a sermon on the greatest of all the herald angels who harkened the arrival of Jesus Christ.
On this first Sunday of Advent, we begin to see a picture of Christmas. The world around us is painting it with Santa Clauses, elves, reindeer, and a plethora of red and green. But, we know there is a bigger picture in view.
