Isaiah 60:1-12
It is always difficult with certainty to reduce these chapters of Isaiah to a single interpretation. The words are literal and analogous; past, present and future at the same time.
Israel experienced exile, had become spiritually corrupt and seen Jerusalem fall from her golden age. And this time passed, A new awareness of the calling of Israel emerged for a remnant and Jerusalem was rebuilt supported by foreign powers and in a spirit of re commitment to God. But this city was to fall again.
From these same words, the visit of the Magi from the East with their gifts of gold and frankincense can be seen heralding the birth of the real King whose Kingdom shall not perish. but added to this image is a new understanding in the light of Christ - the true Glory of God. Myrrh in preparation for the King who lay down his life for those who do not yet follow him provide a deeper understanding of the nature of this Kingdom. A literal interpretation projected into the future from these words will not work as a greater revelation in the Word has transformed the meaning of these words. The analogy must be read through the lens of Christ. But we can know that nations are temporary in the light of the permanence of His Kingdom; ultimately His Way will be secured for all Creation; evil has lost and will perish.
John 1:35-42
It is a curious dialogue that Jesus has with these first disciples. The first words Jesus says in this Gospel are:
"What are you looking for?"
To which they respond:
"Rabbi, where are you staying?"
To which Jesus replies:
"Come and see."
This conversation is often understood in terms of Jesus being interested in the needs of the disciples; the disciples wanting to stay close to him and Jesus offering them the opportunity.
But it feels a little more 'coded' to me. There is a feeling out of who each other is - there is a lot unsaid - it feels almost guarded. It is almost like it is what is not said in this first exchange that is the true dialogue. I wonder if they are both listening to some other voice and the words they say are in response to that other voice. The Spirit is at work. Jesus senses that they are searching for God, so he asks them; the disciples here a voice saying follow, so they ask where He is staying so that they can find out more; Jesus discerns this and they leave together. It is quite easy to imagine the disciples talking about how they first met Jesus at a later time and Andrew recounting the slightly unreal conversation - remembering hogged was at work so vividly.
Thoughts
There is so much more to being with God than can be expressed through words. In the expression 'like' is killing the English language at the moment, but language can only ever express 'like' when to comes to God.
We interpret passages like Isaiah 60 in the light of Christ and its meaning is transformed. And yet even now we can only see 'darkly' or partially so how will it be when we look at these things when they have been completely fulfilled in Heaven.
And yet the same things is the case in our own conversations - with God and with each other. There is always so much unsaid, so much we can't say. I guess that's why we have silence and tongues - we need other ways to listen and be heard.
Be still and know...
It is always difficult with certainty to reduce these chapters of Isaiah to a single interpretation. The words are literal and analogous; past, present and future at the same time.
Israel experienced exile, had become spiritually corrupt and seen Jerusalem fall from her golden age. And this time passed, A new awareness of the calling of Israel emerged for a remnant and Jerusalem was rebuilt supported by foreign powers and in a spirit of re commitment to God. But this city was to fall again.
From these same words, the visit of the Magi from the East with their gifts of gold and frankincense can be seen heralding the birth of the real King whose Kingdom shall not perish. but added to this image is a new understanding in the light of Christ - the true Glory of God. Myrrh in preparation for the King who lay down his life for those who do not yet follow him provide a deeper understanding of the nature of this Kingdom. A literal interpretation projected into the future from these words will not work as a greater revelation in the Word has transformed the meaning of these words. The analogy must be read through the lens of Christ. But we can know that nations are temporary in the light of the permanence of His Kingdom; ultimately His Way will be secured for all Creation; evil has lost and will perish.
John 1:35-42
It is a curious dialogue that Jesus has with these first disciples. The first words Jesus says in this Gospel are:
"What are you looking for?"
To which they respond:
"Rabbi, where are you staying?"
To which Jesus replies:
"Come and see."
This conversation is often understood in terms of Jesus being interested in the needs of the disciples; the disciples wanting to stay close to him and Jesus offering them the opportunity.
But it feels a little more 'coded' to me. There is a feeling out of who each other is - there is a lot unsaid - it feels almost guarded. It is almost like it is what is not said in this first exchange that is the true dialogue. I wonder if they are both listening to some other voice and the words they say are in response to that other voice. The Spirit is at work. Jesus senses that they are searching for God, so he asks them; the disciples here a voice saying follow, so they ask where He is staying so that they can find out more; Jesus discerns this and they leave together. It is quite easy to imagine the disciples talking about how they first met Jesus at a later time and Andrew recounting the slightly unreal conversation - remembering hogged was at work so vividly.
Thoughts
There is so much more to being with God than can be expressed through words. In the expression 'like' is killing the English language at the moment, but language can only ever express 'like' when to comes to God.
We interpret passages like Isaiah 60 in the light of Christ and its meaning is transformed. And yet even now we can only see 'darkly' or partially so how will it be when we look at these things when they have been completely fulfilled in Heaven.
And yet the same things is the case in our own conversations - with God and with each other. There is always so much unsaid, so much we can't say. I guess that's why we have silence and tongues - we need other ways to listen and be heard.
Be still and know...
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