Read: Mark 10:42-52

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (v. 45)

The second Sunday of Advent invites us to light another purple candle, traditionally representing love. If there is a central theme to Christmas, it is love. Even those who don’t attach Christian significance to the holiday think of giving gifts, preparing special surprises, meals, and moments–all because they want to show love.

From heaven’s perspective, Advent is about a love that does battle. While we ponder what to buy, God is buying something back–something that has been stolen. While we shop online or at the mall, God shops the slave markets, and “the streets and lanes of the city” (Luke 14:21). “O come, O come, Emmanuel, / and ransom captive Israel,” we sing.

“Ransom” is not a hoity-toity theological term. If someone is kidnapped, the perpetrator demands a payment to release the prisoner. Every person and thing belongs to God, but evil has brutally plundered and pillaged, claimed and chained. In that sense, we’ve all known slavery until Jesus paid the price of sin and separation from God. He came, not to be served as a king, but to serve as a ransom on behalf of love–the one, the only One, whose life was perfect enough to buy back the many, thus closing the gap between God and us.

—Amy Clemens

Prayer:
Giver of good gifts, thank you for your love that does battle.