By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, December 7, 2008 · Second Sunday of Advent
Sermon Text: Romans 8:18
Sermon Theme
In this passage, Paul addresses two fundamental themes in Christian life, suffering and hope. Paul acknowledges the suffering of “this present time.” This is a suffering we all participate in to some degree, since it involves “the creation itself.” Paul does not try to explain this suffering away, but rather sees it as the “groaning in labor pains” of God’s new creation in Jesus Christ. This hope needs to sustain us even when we don’t see it. The first example of Christian suffering and hope are Mary and Joseph in the story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. The familiarity of this story should not blind us to both its cosmic and historical impact. Rightly understood, the Christmas story is a source of hope for all of us in spite of whatever suffering we face.
Sermon Outline
- Pain. Paul acknowledges that everyone, including Christians, face suffering in “this present time.” All suffering is an expression of creation’s “bondage to decay,” whether that be illness, loss, hurt, injustice or broken relationships. Paul compares this suffering to the labor pains of a woman giving birth. The most famous birth story in the Bible is the story of Jesus being born in Bethlehem. The birth of Jesus is made more painful by Joseph and Mary having to return to Bethlehem to fulfill the decree of Caesar Augustus. Joseph may have abandoned his ancestral home in Bethlehem because of financial problems. However, Caesar still wants tax on the property, even if it has been abandoned.
- Power. Paul says that as a result of sin, “the creation was subjected to futility” and, finally, decay. Augustus’ claim to be “savior” and “lord” was also a form of futility even though he was the most powerful person to have ever lived up to that time. Yet his power crippled conquered people like those who crowded into Bethlehem to fulfill his demands. For them, this power was an exercise in futility and decay. The same forms of earthly power exist today.
- Promise. Mary, in giving birth to Jesus, had to deal with more than labor pains. The Roman “savior of the world” had separated her and her husband from her home and her familiar surroundings. She and Joseph did not know when or how they would be able to return to their home in Galilee. The emperor, however, could never take away their hope. In Bethlehem, that hope remained unseen. God continued to reaffirm his promises for them. They are amazed at what they hear about their child. He is the hope of the world. They cannot see that at this point. Yet this hope sustains them. And the same hope sustains us.
Questions for Us
- How do we, as Christians, deal with the "sufferings of this present time"? Why do you think some people, including even some Christians, lose hope in the face of suffering?
- Paul speaks of the "groaning of labor pains" leading to the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Mary underwent more than labor pains in giving birth to the ultimate child of God. How does this image of "labor pains" help us to understand the suffering we may be facing in our lives?
- How does the fact that Mary and Joseph maintain hope in the unseen promise of their son encourage us to have hope in our lives?
