The Fourth Before Advent Year A

The Fourth Sunday Before Advent

Micah 3.5–12
1 Thessalonians 2.9–13
Matthew 24.1–14

Those of us who earn our living by speaking and writing about the Bible sometimes feel nervous in the presence of Micah and Paul. There is the apostle, doing his day job making tents, debating with customers about the quality and durability of the product and of the gospel, and then going off to expound the word of God, free, to the tiny group of disciples. They know it is God’s word because his lifestyle backs it
up. The character of the messenger is a powerful argument for the truth of the message – and a powerful incentive to imitation.

And there is the prophet, contemptuous of those who pipe the tunes of their paymasters. Rulers, priests and prophets are all on the make; they go through the motions, they look and sound genuine, but it’s all a sham. The signs are plain: injustice flourishes unchecked, corruption eats away at the heart of society, and those who are supposed to be speaking out are instead reaching out their hands for
the next bribe...

Taken from Twelve Months of Sundays Year A by N T Wright

Published by SPCK