prepared by Rev. Daniel Yovan – 7th December 2025
Today is the Second Sunday of Advent and we remember the prophets who spoke of the coming of Christ, of how a Saviour would be born, a king in the line of King David. The prophet Isaiah called Christ “the Prince of Peace”. They told us how he would rule the world wisely and bless all the nations.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Light of the World, the prophets said you would bring peace and save your people from trouble. Give peace in our hearts at Christmastide. We ask that as we wait for you to come again, that you would remain present with us. Help us today, and every day to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your peace with each other. We ask it in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 3: 1-12, The Proclamation of John the Baptist
1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.” ’
4 Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9 Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 ‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
Reflection:
In this passage we find people flogging to John the Baptist in the wilderness. How did John managed to attract so much crowd? It was the word of mouth in those days spread the news around and people were ‘thirst’ for the word of God. Because the message of John came after the 400 years of silent period between Malachi (Old Testament) and Matthew (New Testament). Jewish community during this period was expecting the Messiah and they thought John might be the one they were waiting for.
When people came from ‘all over the nation’, how did John welcome them? Not very well, I think. John was not very welcoming. He called them ‘Brood of Vipers’. It sounds very rude. But if we look at the passage carefully, John was here dealing with two groups; one people/ordinary folks and the other Pharisees and Sadducees. He was kind to the people and very rude to the religious leaders. Some scholars suggests that John was prophetic in his address to the religious leaders in that he foresaw their deeds as the venomous snakes. John knew what they will do to Jesus in the future.
John was calling them to true repentance. By simply taking part in the religious rituals like Baptism is not enough. You do need to produce the fruit that pleases God, do not just call yourself children of Abraham. Bear ‘fruit worthy of repentance’ said John. We cannot bear fruit by our efforts, but the real/genuine repentance, with the help of the Holy Spirit, will produce the fruits God desire. Just as false love is not at all love, so also repentance that is not sincere is not repentance. Our way of life, priorities, commitments, personal relationships, passion for peace and justice, and our unplanned act of compassion, give evidence to this genuine repentance.
While people gathered there wondering whether John was the Messiah, he didn’t waste no time in pointing them to Jesus. He said that the one who is more powerful that I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He did not take any credit for gathering the crowd. He acknowledge that it was the work of the Spirit that brought people from all over the place so that he could introduce them to the Messiah (Jesus). It is our duty as ministers (all believers) of the Gospel, not to take the ‘glory’ that is due only to God. We are what we are today is because of the grace of God. And our role is to point people towards Jesus.
Friends, let us prepare the way for God this Christmas by committing ourselves to God once again, turning to God for our every need and give glory to God for all that we are and all that we have. My prayer for you this Christmas is that God would draw the hearts of all your friends, family and neighbours to himself. May the Spirit of God help us to prepare the way in and through our lives, so that we will be able to bear fruits that God desire. Amen.
Intercession:
In joyful expectation of his coming to reign we pray to our Lord, saying, Come, Lord Jesus.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to your world as king of the nations. We pray for the nations that are war at each other…..(mention the names of the nations)……Before you rulers will stand in silence. Come, Lord Jeuss.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to your Church as Lord and Judge. We pray for the churches here in the UK and around the world. We specially pray for the persecuted churches in Nigeria and other places. Help us to live in the light of your coing and give us a longing to do your will. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to your people as Saviour and bearer of pain. We pray for all those who in need of our prayers. Enfold us all in your love and mercy, wipe away the tears of failure, fear and distress, and set us free to serve you forever. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Come to us from heaven with power and great glory, and lift us up to meet you where, with all your saints and angels, we will live with you forever. Come, Lord Jesus.
Come, Lord Jesus.
The Lord’s prayer.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessings:
The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and the love of God and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, remain with you always. Amen.
The day of the Lord is surely coming. Be faithful in worship, unwavering in hope, fervent in the work of God’s kingdom and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
