Barefoot Follower

Inviting Reflection on the Stories of Jesus

  • Introduction
  • Mosaic
  • Lectionary
    • Sermons
  • Reflections
    • Gospel of Matthew
    • Gospel of Mark
    • Gospel of Luke
    • Gospel of John
  • Reviews
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Between 2 Sundays / The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love

The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love

December 7, 2020 By Mark Beresford

A reflection on Romans 16:25-27 for Sunday, December 20, 2020

Photo: Mark Beresford

Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith — to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever! Amen.

Romans 16:25-27 (NRSVA)

This passage functions as something of a benediction in the letter of Romans. It is a pulling together of all Paul has been saying. A summary of a message.

Paul opens with an assurance: ‘God…is able to strengthen you…’ It reads as though that has been the very purpose of the writing of this letter: to participate with God in the strengthening of the apostle’s readers.

I wonder if you have ever thought of the Gospel in this way – as a message that strengthens? In fact, this reads as though the very proclaiming of the incarnated one, Jesus Christ, is a source of God’s empowering.

The reason, however, that this passage sits so close to Christmas, seems to be the reminder that this strength-giving message was once hidden – a ‘mystery…kept secret for long ages’.

Sit with that for a moment. The incarnation…hidden.

Perhaps we run too fast to the disclosure of the Gospel. Many of us are, after all, are familiar with its message. The incarnated one as a message for the whole world is simply the way we talk about this Good News.

Yet without the waiting of Advent we run the risk of losing the element of surprise.

To be sure, Paul has not taken this path. As he writes, he is as overwhelmed by the ‘command of the eternal God’ to invite the nations into a faith-filled relationship as he was when he first met Jesus on the Damascus road. It still burns within him.

In fact this whole passage really amounts to a song of praise. It is worship. Take out the description of the strengthening Gospel in the middle and that is all we have here:

‘Now…to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever! Amen.’

Conversation Starters:

In what way does the simple proclamation of the Gospel strengthen you? What change does this account of God’s action bring in you?

When are you most surprised by God? When are you least surprised?

What practices do you embrace in order to maintain your awe of God?

Filed Under: Between 2 Sundays, Lectionary, New Testament Reflections, The Letter to the Romans

Barefoot Follower: Inviting Reflection on the Stories of Jesus

The 'Barefoot Follower' site is a collection of passion-filled reflections, sermons, and reviews centred around the teachings of Jesus. Join me as we consider what these ancient, long-treasured documents might tell us about God and ourselves. For more information on the concept, purpose, and aspiration of the site please visit the Introduction page.

About the Site Author: Mark Beresford

Follower of Jesus, husband, father, barefoot runner, pastor, musician, speaker, lecturer, chaplain, and admirer of St Benedict. Read More…

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Empowering for the Extraordinary: Keeping Pace with Jesus
  • Empowering for the Extraordinary: Giving Generously
  • Empowering for the Extraordinary: Costly Faith
  • Empowering for the Extraordinary: Everyone Gets to Play
  • Empowering for the Extraordinary: All About the Other

Search this site:

Copyright Stuff

All posts and comments © their original owners. Everything else is © Mark Beresford 2014. Mark's information can be reused or republished solely in accordance with the BY-NC-ND Creative Commons License. Please let Mark know if you would like to reuse any part of this site through the contact page. It is helpful and encouraging to learn how people are using the information.

Copyright © 2023 · Website by Your Web Presence · Log in