21 December 2010

Psalm 66, 67; Isaiah 11.10-16; Revelation 20.11-21.8; Luke 1.5-25

The passage speaks essentially of a return from exile or a second exodus. When Messiah comes the remnant will return from all the places to which they were scattered as they came from Egypt with Moses. He will dry up the rivers so that they can come back walking in sandals. They will come from all over the world back to Jerusalem and He will also restore the unity of the nation, the unity that was broken in the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. They will once again be truly one nation under God. In this the prophet sees that the breach between the nations is sin, against God’s will and something that needs to be healed and unity restored. The enmity between the two nations was great and rhetoric heated, this restoration would be truly a work of God. In Messiah they will find the basis for unity, their confession of Him. Reconciliation is a work done by Him.

It is important that Zechariah and Elizabeth be described as blameless and righteous, the same words that apply to Job. They have done nothing wrong to have caused her to be barren. Opening her womb is a work of the Lord, just as it was with Abraham and Sarah. These two have been faithful to God and He has not kept His part of the bargain and yet we are not told that they have become embittered against Him. They have borne this burden in faith. The child will take a Nazirite vow, he will be dedicated solely to the Lord, and he will fulfill the prophecy of Malachi concerning Elijah coming before the Messiah. Zechariah asks for a sign of an angel that he sees in the temple. He has been given a visitation and is still alive, how could he doubt? Just as it seemed unlikely to Moses, so it does to this man. Elizabeth conceives and her joy is great, the Lord has taken away her reproach. Her joy is the joy of Hannah when she conceived Samuel.

I thought we were to be judged by our faith in Jesus and not by our works. Works reveal faith. Who we are should be the proof of what we believe. Would Jesus recognize a person who claims to have faith in Him without evidence of that faith in our lives. He cares about fruitfulness in the lives of Christians because His Spirit makes possible that fruitfulness. If we are to enjoy the eternal kingdom we must begin to live in and for that kingdom now. Now is time to worship the King and to proclaim Him by word and deed. Where can you begin today to live in such a way that the world would know you are living for Jesus?

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you;
they sing praises to your name.