a life of Shalom

"Birth of Christ", Albrecht Durer (1471 - 1528)

How fitting that Isaiah 9 should reappear on our lectionary radar as it did in January of this year. My post in January was entitled "Walking in Darkness" and made the point that the coming of Jesus fulfills the prophesy of Isaiah 9, which says that the first to suffer will be the first to be redeemed. For the accountants in the audience this is a spiritual FIFO (first in, first out).

It seems fitting on this Christmas Eve then to continue the thought by noting simply that the light those walking in darkness will see is none other than a person, and a very little person at that, named Jesus. I once heard Howard Stern say he loves the baby Jesus. Why I was watching Howard Stern is something I have already confessed to my Maker. People who say such things in such a way don't really know the baby Jesus, because when you come into the presence of the baby Jesus, you are also coming into the presence of a person who is a Wonderful Counselor, a Mighty God, an Everlasting Father, and a Prince of Peace.

Each of these titles is packed with profound implication but let's just focus for now on the last one. The Hebrew word for peace is Shalom, which means peace, welfare, and completeness. Shalom is what is on offer for anyone who will confess their sins, repent, and commit their lives to becoming followers of the Baby Jesus.

May I invite you today, if you never have, to bow down before his manger, and enter into this life of Shalom? If you have already done so, but your attention has waned, may I invite you to renew your vow to follow Him? I can attest from personal experience, this is the best investment you could ever make (and there aren't many alternatives out there at the moment, are there?).

If you have been prompted by this post to make such a commitment or renew such a commitment I would also to hear from you so that I can rejoice with you and pray with you. Would you please send me a confidential email at the address listed under 'Visitors'?

Merry Christmas.

walking in darkness?

Isaiah 9:1-4
3rd Sunday of Epiphany
For January 27, 2008

Gloom may seem to come easily today with the stock market engaging the January temperature in a power dive of red. If you are reading this in the southern hemisphere... well... you probably aren't.

Yet our gloom is nothing compared to the gloom being felt by Israel in Isaiah chapter 9. The reference in v. 1 to Zebulun and Naphtali looks back on when these lands of the northern kingdom of Israel were the first to fall to the Assyrians in 733/732 B.C. For these lost lands Isaiah has some good news: the first lands to fall will be the first ones to see someone called the Prince of Peace. In other words, things may seem bad, but God has not forgotten you.

What Isaiah prophesied actually came true. Zebulun and Naphtali were part of a region called Galilee. This is precisely where Jesus began his ministry. Thus the gospel writer Matthew quotes Isaiah 9:1,2 in Matt. 4:15,16. He connected the dots: Jesus' ministry in Galilee was the fulfillment of Isaiah chapter 9.

Despite the fact that as believers we too have seen a great light we continue to walk in a land marred by the darkness of sin. Yet already the light we have seen has had a profoundly transforming effect on our own lives, our churches, and even our countries.

Isaiah makes one more historical reference in v. 4 which serves as a profound challenge for us to move forward in hope and faith: "For as in the days of Midian you have shattered the yoke that burdened them." The person who defeated Midian was a man named Gideon, who did it with only 300 men. Think about the potential significance of each of our own circles of influence to accomplish God's kingdom purpose today. In this season of Epiphany, may this be an epiphany for each of us.