Zecharaiah 8:1-8
A prophetic call to hope and faith. A people experiencing hardship; unable to live to old age in peace, unable to give their children the security and freedom to play in the streets.
They are separated from their home and feel that God will not bless them.
Into this darkness - the darkness of the refugee - the Lord of Hosts speaks. And he is jealous - jealous and angry. This speaks of intensity and frustration in a relationship (either current or past) and it speaks of another relationship coming between the current one. It is like God has had to allow in his justice the consequences of Israel's faithlessness and lack of righteousness to run their course - He has not forced Israel out of its affair with their corrupted or misplaced desires. But His feelings are intense - He wants them back - and will act to bring them back. He longs to bless them with the peace they now desire having lived fully under the consequences of their own choices. The prophet is calling Israel, the people of God back to His ways of Faithfulness and Righteousness. This is not in an 'I told you so', disconnected way but in a passionate and involved way. He calls us today in the same way.
They are separated from their home and feel that God will not bless them.
Into this darkness - the darkness of the refugee - the Lord of Hosts speaks. And he is jealous - jealous and angry. This speaks of intensity and frustration in a relationship (either current or past) and it speaks of another relationship coming between the current one. It is like God has had to allow in his justice the consequences of Israel's faithlessness and lack of righteousness to run their course - He has not forced Israel out of its affair with their corrupted or misplaced desires. But His feelings are intense - He wants them back - and will act to bring them back. He longs to bless them with the peace they now desire having lived fully under the consequences of their own choices. The prophet is calling Israel, the people of God back to His ways of Faithfulness and Righteousness. This is not in an 'I told you so', disconnected way but in a passionate and involved way. He calls us today in the same way.
Luke 2:41-52
Jesus developing self-awareness is captured in this memory of Mary. As a child grows up their interests come and go. Certain strands of their development take root and become and express who they are going to be.
This feels like one of those moments of awareness in the family that Jesus is becoming who He is called to be. It is many years since the events of his birth. Mary and Joseph seem to have relaxed into a normal family life. This event triggers again the awesome call that is on Jesus' life and Mary treasures it up.
What did Jesus learn here? It seems there may be at least two things. Firstly the divine that dwells within Him was shaping his thoughts and His wisdom in the understanding of God, being one with God, was indeed miraculous. The second that as a human boy he needed to grow in his understanding of people - to live under the wisdom and authority of his parents in things of the human experience.
What amazing humility is this and what true wisdom. That God in Christ learns our ways to save us from them and to raise us to Himself.
This feels like one of those moments of awareness in the family that Jesus is becoming who He is called to be. It is many years since the events of his birth. Mary and Joseph seem to have relaxed into a normal family life. This event triggers again the awesome call that is on Jesus' life and Mary treasures it up.
What did Jesus learn here? It seems there may be at least two things. Firstly the divine that dwells within Him was shaping his thoughts and His wisdom in the understanding of God, being one with God, was indeed miraculous. The second that as a human boy he needed to grow in his understanding of people - to live under the wisdom and authority of his parents in things of the human experience.
What amazing humility is this and what true wisdom. That God in Christ learns our ways to save us from them and to raise us to Himself.
Thoughts
Whatever the human race has gone through in its journey through consciousness and spiritual growth, God has gone through with us. The Bible and the life of Jesus show us the intensity and passion with which is involved in our lives. his faithful love is always there, his patience and constant forgiveness available after every fall.
Draw us to You - help us to respond with passion to your passion and to learn your righteousness and compassion for ourselves
Draw us to You - help us to respond with passion to your passion and to learn your righteousness and compassion for ourselves
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