Isaiah 49:14-25
It is hard to read this from the perspective of the Jewish nation and imagine it fulfilled. The Jewish people are certainly not honoured as this passage suggests, rather they are still struggling to be recognised as a nation by many Arab states.
But one can see that when this is interpreted as the remnant of the remnant - that Jesus the true Israel - distilled down to one Son - when this reading is applied to him, we can see fulfillment. Jesus has seen his children, his brothers and sisters, those he called his family, those who try to follow God and bring the Kingdom in - they are flourishing. Nations are today bowing down.
Yet there is also the amazing truth of the experience that God has bought good things out of barrenness. This is my experience. It is hard to imagine and believe that He does this, but He does. And I need to rest easy in the confidence that You will provide for me.
Mark 10:13-18
There is an arrogsance that I sometimes share that we can stand in judgment of the Kingdom and of the Scripture and even of Jesus. I can remember my arrogance when I first started to go to church - actually thinking that the church were 'lucky to have me'!! There is a huge misperception that we do God a big a favour when we pray or when we decide to believe! O the arrogance! It is of course always us who are receiving and have so little to offer back. Maybe this is part of what it means to be like little children - to understand our dependency; to understand just how much we have to learn and are inexperienced; to recognise the authority we need over us to teach us and guide us.
Monday, 29 December 2008
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Isaiah 55
Why do we struggle? Isn't it because we fear not having sufficient to survive? Isn't it because there is always something else we want that we feel we must work towards? Why are we motivated by these things? What is it in the human condition that causes us to continue to want more?
Isaiah is describing a world where what is necessary and vital for life is available without work or cost - it is offered freely. This is most often spiritualised in its interpretation - our experience does not allow us to believe other otherwise. The promise is exactly the opposite of the beginning of Genesis, where the human condition is defined by its toil. Here the words speak of a promise that will last forever.
In verse 4 there is a reference to David, a type of Christ, who will realise this promise. These words and their implications are mirrored in Jesus' in the Sermon on the Mount. A promise that is possible to live in this way.
But is all this simply wishful thinking. What is the source of this hope? Is it that God ha changed his mind - that he has seen the struggle of man as he lives out his day to day fight to survive and thrive and does not think that it is working out?
In Christ God offers an alternative to the way of life we have been used to. It allows us to break free from the achievement bound race for worldly success and provides us with a deep peace. This is possible and real even now - but is fragile and requires us to stop and listen and trust.
Isaiah is describing a world where what is necessary and vital for life is available without work or cost - it is offered freely. This is most often spiritualised in its interpretation - our experience does not allow us to believe other otherwise. The promise is exactly the opposite of the beginning of Genesis, where the human condition is defined by its toil. Here the words speak of a promise that will last forever.
In verse 4 there is a reference to David, a type of Christ, who will realise this promise. These words and their implications are mirrored in Jesus' in the Sermon on the Mount. A promise that is possible to live in this way.
But is all this simply wishful thinking. What is the source of this hope? Is it that God ha changed his mind - that he has seen the struggle of man as he lives out his day to day fight to survive and thrive and does not think that it is working out?
In Christ God offers an alternative to the way of life we have been used to. It allows us to break free from the achievement bound race for worldly success and provides us with a deep peace. This is possible and real even now - but is fragile and requires us to stop and listen and trust.
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Luke 4:14-30
In this passage where Jesus returns home and preaches at 'his own church'. He speaks very graciously to them to start with - sharing the understanding of his calling based on the words of Isaiah and the day of the Lord's favour.
But his message changes. 'Joseph's son' is not going to perform any tricks for them; or even more significantly, the message he is bringing is not for them.
Here you can understand the anger and disappointment of the crowd. The most exciting thing to happen in Nazareth for a long time is not going to happen after all!! Jesus is quite focused on what he is called to do. And pleasing his family and friends at home is not part of it.
With a bluntness we often save for those we know best, he tells them straight that he is not going to play to their expectations. He tells them that it will be very difficult for them to accept him because they know him too well.
But maybe worst of all, that his message is 'foreigners' - maybe even those outside Israel.
After such excitement and anticipation about the Messiah having actually arrived, it's not hard to understand their disappointment - or even anger.
But Jesus calmly ignores them and walks away. He has set his face forward. There's no going back.
But his message changes. 'Joseph's son' is not going to perform any tricks for them; or even more significantly, the message he is bringing is not for them.
Here you can understand the anger and disappointment of the crowd. The most exciting thing to happen in Nazareth for a long time is not going to happen after all!! Jesus is quite focused on what he is called to do. And pleasing his family and friends at home is not part of it.
With a bluntness we often save for those we know best, he tells them straight that he is not going to play to their expectations. He tells them that it will be very difficult for them to accept him because they know him too well.
But maybe worst of all, that his message is 'foreigners' - maybe even those outside Israel.
After such excitement and anticipation about the Messiah having actually arrived, it's not hard to understand their disappointment - or even anger.
But Jesus calmly ignores them and walks away. He has set his face forward. There's no going back.
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
Luke 3 15-22
John the Baptist is an incredible person. A real hero of faith.
He is steeped in humility - always pointing towards the One who is to come, always prepared to step aside when his role is done.
He is 100% commited to the work he has been given to do. He has given up everything to be the person that God has asked him to be - living in the desert to prepare and focus himself, preaching with clarity and conviction.
He is fearless - speaking out clearly against what is wrong in his society, whatever the cost - a true prophet.
Such a life is quite a contrast to Isabella Gilmore who is remembered in the Anglican calendar. Where it is true that the same commitment and humilty are called for in serving as a deacon in a commuinity there is a singular difference - that of being called to live in and be part of the community. To do this requires a different gift to John. The prophetic role cannot be quite as outspoken, otherwise the deacon becomes too separate. It is one thing to judge and speak from the outside, it is another to act out the call from the inside.
He is steeped in humility - always pointing towards the One who is to come, always prepared to step aside when his role is done.
He is 100% commited to the work he has been given to do. He has given up everything to be the person that God has asked him to be - living in the desert to prepare and focus himself, preaching with clarity and conviction.
He is fearless - speaking out clearly against what is wrong in his society, whatever the cost - a true prophet.
Such a life is quite a contrast to Isabella Gilmore who is remembered in the Anglican calendar. Where it is true that the same commitment and humilty are called for in serving as a deacon in a commuinity there is a singular difference - that of being called to live in and be part of the community. To do this requires a different gift to John. The prophetic role cannot be quite as outspoken, otherwise the deacon becomes too separate. It is one thing to judge and speak from the outside, it is another to act out the call from the inside.
Luke 3 15-22
John the Baptist is an incredible person. A real hero of faith.
He is steeped in humility - always pointing towards the One who is to come, always prepared to step aside when his role is done.
He is 100% commited to the work he has been given to do. He has given up everything to be the person that God has asked him to be - living in the desert to prepare and focus himself, preaching with clarity and conviction.
He is fearless - speaking out clearly against what is wrong in his society, whatever the cost - a true prophet.
Such a life is quite a contrast to Isabella Gilmore who is remembered in the Anglican calendar. Where it is true that the same commitment and humilty are called for in serving as a deacon in a commuinity there is a singular difference - that of being called to live in and be part of the community. To do this requires a different gift to John. The prophetic role cannot be quite as outspoken, otherwise the deacon becomes too separate. It is one thing to judge and speak from the outside, it is another to act out the call from the inside.
He is steeped in humility - always pointing towards the One who is to come, always prepared to step aside when his role is done.
He is 100% commited to the work he has been given to do. He has given up everything to be the person that God has asked him to be - living in the desert to prepare and focus himself, preaching with clarity and conviction.
He is fearless - speaking out clearly against what is wrong in his society, whatever the cost - a true prophet.
Such a life is quite a contrast to Isabella Gilmore who is remembered in the Anglican calendar. Where it is true that the same commitment and humilty are called for in serving as a deacon in a commuinity there is a singular difference - that of being called to live in and be part of the community. To do this requires a different gift to John. The prophetic role cannot be quite as outspoken, otherwise the deacon becomes too separate. It is one thing to judge and speak from the outside, it is another to act out the call from the inside.
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
What is striking about John's message is the contrast between the intensity and almost anger and threat in his voice and what he actually demands.
Here he is threatening that the axe is at the root of the tree, that every tree that does not bear good fruit should be cut down and demanding people repent. Yet what he actually asks for is so 'basic'. He demands that soldiers and tax collectors don't exhort and that those with more than they need share. It seems so little.
There is a lot of talk oabout the perfection God demands from us - about the necessity of Christ's sacrifice to pay for even the tiniest sin or thought - that all sin is the same, however small and the demand for perfect obedience is uncompromising by God. Then his prophet demands some basic human respect for each other!
I wonder whether that is the pinnacle of human imagination before Christ? Simply doing the decent thing and keeping the basic laws of society is our target prior to the self-giving love Christ revealing to us a higher way of being. In which case, it is not simply that Christ pays for deliberate sins - h also reveals the new humanity we are being called into - the new creation we are to fulfil ourselves.
Here he is threatening that the axe is at the root of the tree, that every tree that does not bear good fruit should be cut down and demanding people repent. Yet what he actually asks for is so 'basic'. He demands that soldiers and tax collectors don't exhort and that those with more than they need share. It seems so little.
There is a lot of talk oabout the perfection God demands from us - about the necessity of Christ's sacrifice to pay for even the tiniest sin or thought - that all sin is the same, however small and the demand for perfect obedience is uncompromising by God. Then his prophet demands some basic human respect for each other!
I wonder whether that is the pinnacle of human imagination before Christ? Simply doing the decent thing and keeping the basic laws of society is our target prior to the self-giving love Christ revealing to us a higher way of being. In which case, it is not simply that Christ pays for deliberate sins - h also reveals the new humanity we are being called into - the new creation we are to fulfil ourselves.
Friday, 11 April 2008
Luke 2:1-20
Luke gives us in this passage the memories of Mary that she had ‘treasured’ in her heart. What an experience that must have been - a young, trusting herself to God in the face of the threat of rejection from all around! Her situation is made worse by a long journey – probably by foot or mule – when she is in the last months of pregnancy.
But in this place of exposure, where her faith must have been stretched to its limit, God provides powerful reassurance and does not the birth of Jesus to go unmarked. The angel, U assume its Gabriel continuing his work visits those shepherds to tell them to go and visit. I’m sure that the symbolic implication is there – that Jesus is for all, even the lowest of the low – but maybe there is another reason.
Maybe the shepherds in their low life are the ones most likely to have compassion for Mary in her situation. Maybe they are the ones whose hearts go out to those who find themselves in situations of rejection and lowliness in life – there is no risk of a snobbish rejection of a baby in a feeding trough. Maybe the Shepherd would understand.
But as is always the case throughout the birth stories – fear or dread is turned to happiness and joy as those who have responded to the call of God receive their surprising reward.
But in this place of exposure, where her faith must have been stretched to its limit, God provides powerful reassurance and does not the birth of Jesus to go unmarked. The angel, U assume its Gabriel continuing his work visits those shepherds to tell them to go and visit. I’m sure that the symbolic implication is there – that Jesus is for all, even the lowest of the low – but maybe there is another reason.
Maybe the shepherds in their low life are the ones most likely to have compassion for Mary in her situation. Maybe they are the ones whose hearts go out to those who find themselves in situations of rejection and lowliness in life – there is no risk of a snobbish rejection of a baby in a feeding trough. Maybe the Shepherd would understand.
But as is always the case throughout the birth stories – fear or dread is turned to happiness and joy as those who have responded to the call of God receive their surprising reward.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
