Preparing for the King: Repentance, Welcome, and Shalom

Devotional

Day 1: The Anointed King brings shalom and restored harmony.

Isaiah paints a coming ruler whose anointing brings wisdom, might, and a deep, life‑giving peace that reaches all creation; this is the shalom of God where enemies are reconciled and creation is healed. That vision invites confidence that when the true king reigns things will be made right and wonderfully good. It also calls people to receive that rule and to live toward the harmony he brings. [31:55]

Isaiah 11:1-9 (ESV)
1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, nor decide disputes by what his ears hear,
4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.
9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Reflection: What relationship or division in your life most feels like “the wolf and the lamb,” and what one concrete step can you take this week to seek reconciliation under Christ’s kingship?

Day 2: Repentance readies hearts for the coming kingdom.

John the Baptist’s call to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” demands more than remorse—it calls for a whole‑life reorientation away from self‑rule toward the Lord’s reign. Genuine repentance is shown by changed living, “bearing fruit in keeping with repentance,” not mere words or heritage. Preparing for the king means surrendering habitual sins and letting God’s word expose what must be crucified. [33:39]

Matthew 3:1-12 (ESV)
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.'"
4 Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him,
6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
10 Even now the axe is laid to 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 he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. 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 gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Reflection: Identify one habitual choice, attitude, or secret comfort that needs to change—what specific, measurable action will you take this week to begin bearing fruit consistent with repentance?

Day 3: Welcome one another as Christ welcomes you.

Paul urges the church to practice sacrificial hospitality modeled on Christ, who did not please himself but welcomed sinners into God’s family. When Christians of different backgrounds bear with one another and welcome each other, they display the reality of the kingdom and fulfill the prophets’ promises. Advent and the holidays are especially fitting times to extend that welcome and to invite others into the life of the church. [41:07]

Romans 15:1-7 (ESV)
1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Reflection: Who in your neighborhood, workplace, or family feels like an outsider to you—name one person you will invite to share a meal or an Advent event, and how will you open that invitation this week?

Day 4: The king’s reign brings flourishing and deep peace.

Psalm 72 points to a reign under which the righteous flourish and peace abounds; this peace is the Hebrew shalom, a rightness that includes God, neighbor, and all creation. That flourishing and peace flow from the king’s justice and blessing and are glimpsed now where Christ’s lordship is lived out. To share in that flourishing, hearts must be turned toward God and away from whatever blocks his peace. [29:35]

Psalm 72:7 (ESV)
In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more.

Reflection: Identify one relationship, habit, or worry that steals your peace—what specific daily practice (prayer, confession, a phone call, a boundary) will you adopt this week to invite Christ’s shalom there?

Day 5: Sin separates us from God; repentance restores.

Isaiah reminds that iniquity creates a separation between people and God and hides his face, so repentance is not optional if one longs for restored relationship. Turning to the Lord and submitting to his Word allows his life‑giving rod and the sword of the Spirit to expose and remove what is wicked in us. The work of repentance is fought in surrender, not by our own resources alone, and is accompanied by the healing power of Christ. [34:31]

Isaiah 59:2 (ESV)
but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Reflection: What secret sin, unconfessed attitude, or hidden distance from God has made separation in your life—who will you tell about it, and what first step toward repentance will you take this week?

Sermon Summary

In the thick of December hurry, we paused to remember Advent as a season of preparation—of quiet, honest readiness for the coming of Jesus. I reflected on Pearl Harbor Day to show how a common crisis awakens a people to mobilize; in Christ, we’re called to mobilize not against flesh and blood, but against our own sin and for love. Scripture paints the kingdom’s goal as shalom—more than a ceasefire, a deep harmony with God, each other, and creation (Psalm 72; Isaiah 11). Isaiah promises a Spirit-anointed King from Jesse’s line, wise enough to govern rightly and mighty enough to bring it to pass. Under his reign even natural enemies live at peace; the wolf and lamb dwell together. Some in the church read that as a renewed creation; others see it as peoples reconciled in Christ. I believe both are true, and they start even now wherever Jesus rules our lives.

So John the Baptist’s word meets us: repent, for the kingdom is at hand. Repentance isn’t a passing feeling; it’s a new direction—surrendering our self-rule and submitting to God’s Word. The King wields a “rod from his mouth”—his living Word—to expose and uproot what is wicked in us, not to shame us, but to heal and re-make us. Fruit follows real repentance. That fruit shows up in Romans 15 as a community where the “strong” and the “weak,” Jew and Gentile, welcome one another as Christ welcomed us—sacrificially, for God’s glory. A world tearing itself apart along lines of difference needs a church that draws near across those same lines.

Advent is a perfect time to practice this: invite a neighbor, greet the unfamiliar face, open your table, make room in your traditions. Years ago a nurse invited our family to her Thanksgiving when ours fell apart. We ended up at Golden Corral that year—but her welcome still blesses me. This is what Jesus is like. He comes near, gathers the different, and makes them one. Let’s prepare for his coming by repenting, submitting to his Word, and extending his welcome—so that shalom may take root among us.

Key Takeaways

1. Repentance is a whole-life reorientation. True repentance is more than regret; it is surrender. It turns our desires, habits, and loyalties toward God’s kingdom first. This change is concrete and bears fruit in how we speak, forgive, spend, and serve. The nearness of the King means the time to turn is now. [34:31]
2. Welcome one another as Christ welcomed. Christian unity isn’t achieved by erasing differences, but by carrying one another for God’s glory. Jesus did not please himself; he bore our reproach to make us family. In a divided age, sacrificial hospitality is a bright sign that the promises to unite the nations are being fulfilled. [38:27]
3. Submit to the Word that transforms. The King wields his Word to expose and heal what rules us besides him. When we hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest Scripture, the Spirit topples our inner tyrants—pride, prejudice, and self-will. This is how shalom begins: not by willpower, but by yielded listening that becomes obedience. [35:58]
4. Shalom blooms under the true King. God’s peace is not fragile truce but wholeness—right relation with God, neighbor, and creation. Isaiah’s vision of enemies at rest anticipates the world made new and the church made one. As we live under Jesus’ wise and mighty reign, we become living previews of that coming harmony. [29:35]
5. Advent is preparation, not frenzy. The season invites us to mobilize our hearts—away from distraction and toward repentance, prayer, and welcome. Busyness without readiness leaves us unprepared for grace. Choosing watchfulness now equips us to recognize and receive the Lord who is near. [26:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:54] - Advent Collect: Word-Centered Discipleship
[10:22] - Prayers for Leaders and the Suffering
[13:48] - Children’s Blessing
[24:47] - Prayer for Illumination
[25:06] - Advent Busyness and Holy Focus
[25:42] - Pearl Harbor: Learning to Prepare
[29:35] - Shalom: The Peace of God’s Kingdom
[30:22] - A Shoot from Jesse: The Anointed King
[31:55] - Wolf and Lamb: Harmony Restored
[33:39] - Repentance for a New Direction
[35:58] - The Word that Transforms Us
[38:27] - Welcome One Another to God’s Glory
[51:36] - Creed, Eucharist, and Sending

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Isaiah 11:1–9 — 1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, nor decide disputes by what his ears hear, 4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. 6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. 9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Observation Questions

What concrete images in Isaiah 11:1–9 describe the king’s rule, and what do those images say about who is included in the king’s peace? [29:35]
What did John the Baptist mean by “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” and what kinds of life-change did he demand of people preparing to receive the king? [33:39]
In Romans 15 the command is to “welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed you.” What specific actions or attitudes does that command imply for people of different convictions or backgrounds? [38:27]
Isaiah says the king will “strike the earth with the rod of his mouth” (v. 4). What does that image suggest about how the king works to remove wickedness and bring healing? [35:58]

Interpretation Questions

How does the Bible’s word “shalom” (as pictured in Isaiah 11) reshape expectations for the effect of Christ’s reign on human relationships and on creation itself? [29:35]
If repentance is a “whole-life reorientation” rather than mere regret, what kinds of everyday choices—about speech, time, money, and relationships—would reveal that reorientation? [34:31]
The “rod that comes out of his mouth” is paired with the Spirit’s anointing. How should that shape a church’s understanding of Scripture’s role in exposing and uprooting sin in personal and communal life? [35:58]
Sacrificial welcome is presented as evidence that the promised unity of the nations is happening. In what concrete ways can welcoming across differences serve as a public sign that God’s promises are being fulfilled? [38:27]

Application Questions

Identify one “inner tyrant” in your life (pride, prejudice, self-will, anxiety). What is one specific, measurable step you will take this week to submit that area to Scripture and prayer? (For example: read a particular passage, confess to a friend, or set a practical guardrail.) [35:58]
Advent invites readiness rather than frenzy. What is one specific habit you will give up or one regular practice you will add this season to make space for repentance, prayer, and watchfulness? (Name when you will do it and how long you will try it.) [25:42]
Who in your neighborhood, workplace, or family is not part of your traditions and might be welcomed this season? Make a concrete plan to invite them (what you will invite them to, who will join you, and when you will reach out). [43:29]
Think of a time someone unexpectedly welcomed you (a stranger’s kindness, an open table, an invited seat). How did that welcome affect you? What similar, specific act of hospitality can you offer someone in the next two weeks? [45:39]
Scripture is the instrument by which the king exposes and heals what rules us. What regular practice of Scripture engagement will you begin or deepen (for example: daily reading for 15 minutes, joining a Bible study, memorizing a verse)? Set a measurable goal for the next 14 days. [36:40]
Are there people you have been avoiding because of political, cultural, or religious differences? Name one small, sacrificial step you can take this Advent to draw near to one of them (a phone call, a shared meal, attending an event together). What is your timeline for doing it? [41:07]

Sermon Clips

One of the big ideas in our scriptures, this is really true in all of the Bible, and we see this especially in Psalm 72. We read this in verse 7. When the king comes and when the true king, God's anointed king and the Hebrew word for anointed is Messiah, when the true anointed king reigns, what that means is peace. [00:29:12] (21 seconds) #MessiahBringsPeace

It doesn't just mean a ceasefire or an absence of fighting. It means a deep harmony, a coming together, a sense of unity and harmony with God, with other people and with all creation actually. Shalom. Things are exactly the way God intended to be. Things are just right and it's good and it's beautiful and it's life-giving. That's the vision of the kingdom. [00:29:37] (27 seconds) #KingdomShalom

Things are exactly the way God intended to be. Things are just right and it's good and it's beautiful and it's life-giving. That's the vision of the kingdom. It's joyous when we live under the loving lordship of the living God. Shalom then is what the kingdom of God, his lordship, is all about and that's what happens when the king comes. This is what the Lord promises through the prophet Isaiah. We read about this. We actually sang about this earlier. [00:29:52] (32 seconds) #JoyUnderGodsLordship

Isaiah tells us that when the anointed king, anointed with the Holy Spirit comes, he's going to be anointed with a spirit of wisdom and understanding and counsel and might and knowledge in verse 2 and 3. And his delight, it says in verse 3, will be in the fear of the Lord. He's going to know the right thing to do. He's going to have the wisdom to govern and guide his people well in ways that bring them together. And, it says, notice, a spirit of might. He's not only going to know the right thing to do, he's going to have the power to make it happen, to bring it to fruition. [00:30:54] (35 seconds) #AnointedWithWisdomAndMight

``The kingdom is coming, what do you need to do then? To get ready, you need, he says, to repent. If you're going to experience God's blessed shalom, we have to stop rebelling against him. We have to let him actually rule over us and be our king and stop trying to be our own king or our own queen living as we see fit. We have to surrender to him, lay down our arms and allow him to reign and we do that as we submit to his word which he has spoken to us. [00:33:49] (29 seconds) #KingdomComingRepent

Repent in the New Testament doesn't just mean like feel bad about your sins. I mean that definitely can be a part of it but repent is really bigger than that. It's more than a feeling. Repent is about turning your entire life in a new direction. It's about reorienting everything. I'm no longer living for me and my kingdom. I'm living for God's kingdom first. That's what repentance is all about. Changing your direction. [00:34:19] (26 seconds) #RepentChangeDirection

Isaiah the prophet goes on in his book in Isaiah 59 verse 2 to tell us that our sins separate us from God. So if we're going to experience him really being our king being our God then of course we have to turn away from our sin. Of course we have to repent. If you want to experience his deep peace his shalom in your heart in your relationships in your home and flowing out from there that always means repentance. Always. It means repentance. [00:34:45] (34 seconds) #RepentToRestorePeace

In Isaiah he says the great anointed king will destroy the wicked by his word. He calls it the rod that comes out of his mouth in Isaiah 11.4 and at least part of what that means is that as I surrender to him as I submit to his word one of the things he's going to do is expose with the sword of the spirit the word of God he's going to expose and destroy what is wicked in me and he's going to change me and I'm going to be different. [00:35:58] (25 seconds) #SwordOfTheSpirit

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