Comprehending what God is doing is typically an exercise in counter-intuitive thinking. Knowing that, you realize that the nativity story is totally counter-intuitive, counter to the expected narrative of how the world would expect this to be done. With mercy and faith at the forefront, stretch your mind with Sunday's sermon.
The prophets would speak of the things God was doing, but had to reach for metaphor to present their vision. Micah looks to sleepy, irrelevant Bethlehem as the place from which God's Promised One will arise. His strength will not be as worldly rulers and powers, based on whatever power they can acquire for themselves. Rather, his strength will be in his God, shepherding God's people into the future that God has promised.
If Bethlehem was nothing on the map, Mary is even less than nothing on the stage of leading personae of the day. She knew she was a nothing, too. Therefore, she knew how particularly blessed she was to be carrying the gift of God for God's people.
Her song - the Magnificat - is a strident picture of social and political revolution. Her song is filled with Kingdom values brought to engage the world and its powers by the Promised One. The proud and powerful are set in their places while the humble and poor are made the priority and take over authority. It's an amazing picture.
How does this counter-intuitive thinking play out in real time? Watch the sermon video and see what you think.
The prophets would speak of the things God was doing, but had to reach for metaphor to present their vision. Micah looks to sleepy, irrelevant Bethlehem as the place from which God's Promised One will arise. His strength will not be as worldly rulers and powers, based on whatever power they can acquire for themselves. Rather, his strength will be in his God, shepherding God's people into the future that God has promised.
If Bethlehem was nothing on the map, Mary is even less than nothing on the stage of leading personae of the day. She knew she was a nothing, too. Therefore, she knew how particularly blessed she was to be carrying the gift of God for God's people.
Her song - the Magnificat - is a strident picture of social and political revolution. Her song is filled with Kingdom values brought to engage the world and its powers by the Promised One. The proud and powerful are set in their places while the humble and poor are made the priority and take over authority. It's an amazing picture.
How does this counter-intuitive thinking play out in real time? Watch the sermon video and see what you think.
| 12-23-18-sermon.mp3 |
| 12-23-18-ff-answers.pub.pdf |
| 12-23-18-shepherd_in_the_strength_of_the_lord.pdf |