1/10/17
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
It is not uncommon for people who engage in activism to become frustrated. After trying and striving, often for years, the change we seek doesn’t seem to be forthcoming. It takes a very long time and a lot of effort to see lasting change. And sometimes we find that the change does not go the way we might like.
In Isaiah 49 the prophet discusses God’s servant. Most Christians will interpret this passage of Scripture to refer in part to Israel, in part to the Church, but primarily to the Christ. As God raises up his servant, the light of the nations, the one he has protected from the very beginning, the one who is chosen by God, we find that the servant is rejected. In verse seven he is despised, abhorred, and subject to rulers.
Christianity confesses that Jesus has overcome the power of sin, death, and the devil. He is the gentle conqueror. Yet he was rejected by many prior to the resurrection. That rejection continues in this age as well. Does this make him any less the savior/ Not at all. It emphasizes his understanding of us.
Maybe an understanding of the opposition faced by the Christ will help others to understand there will be opposition. Maybe an understanding of his victory will show that the right can win. Maybe an understanding of his priorities will show us what to view as right and good.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
It is not uncommon for people who engage in activism to become frustrated. After trying and striving, often for years, the change we seek doesn’t seem to be forthcoming. It takes a very long time and a lot of effort to see lasting change. And sometimes we find that the change does not go the way we might like.
In Isaiah 49 the prophet discusses God’s servant. Most Christians will interpret this passage of Scripture to refer in part to Israel, in part to the Church, but primarily to the Christ. As God raises up his servant, the light of the nations, the one he has protected from the very beginning, the one who is chosen by God, we find that the servant is rejected. In verse seven he is despised, abhorred, and subject to rulers.
Christianity confesses that Jesus has overcome the power of sin, death, and the devil. He is the gentle conqueror. Yet he was rejected by many prior to the resurrection. That rejection continues in this age as well. Does this make him any less the savior/ Not at all. It emphasizes his understanding of us.
Maybe an understanding of the opposition faced by the Christ will help others to understand there will be opposition. Maybe an understanding of his victory will show that the right can win. Maybe an understanding of his priorities will show us what to view as right and good.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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