"Single Deity Seeking Intimacy..."

"Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, 'I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.'  But of Israel he says, 'All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient & contrary people.'"

(Romans 10:20-21)

Paul, who grew up a strict & devout Jew, is writing about his longing for his own people to come to embrace Jesus.  He still believes they are God's "chosen people," but recognizes the mission has also expanded to the Gentiles (something that devout Jews find incredulous).  Nevertheless, he has a firm hope that God will still redeem His people, though they've strayed.

The fact that God's mission has expanded is not surprising to Paul.  He cites Isaiah who wrote that God would be found "by those who did not seek me."  I love thinking about that in today's context.  God isn't spending all His time hanging out in churches, waiting for people to come to Him.  He's actively engaged in the lives of people all over the world - reaching out to them, even when they haven't (yet) expressed any interest in God!

Along that same vein, Paul cites another passage from Isaiah... where God laments that He's been holding out his open hands to many of us who call ourselves "believers," yet we've ignored or dismissed him.  Why?  It's an age-old question.  One that is couched in our sinful humanity.  Forgive us for ignoring you, Lord.  Forgive me.  Open me up to embrace you fully.  Your outstretched arms are wide enough for so many!  Let me take nothing for granted. 

Blood Stained

"Then the people as a whole answered, 'His blood be on us and our children!'"

(Matthew 27:25)

Okay, so Jesus is under arrest.  He's in "not-so-protective custody" with Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor in the Jerusalem region.  He was brought there by the Jewish religious leaders (though Matthew tells us that Pilate knew it was only out of jealousy that Jesus was turned over to him - see v.18!).  Pilate reminds the people of the tradition of releasing any one prisoner during Passover.  Pilate gives them 2 options: Jesus, or a criminal named Barabbas.  The people opt for the latter.  Repeatedly.  When Pilate presses their intentions for Jesus, they shout, "CRUCIFY HIM!"  Wow.  Pilate announces his "innocence" in the whole affair, and literally washes his hands in front of them, symbolizing his guilt-free conscience.  That's wen the crowd utters that fateful line: "His blood be on us and our children!"

Never have more ironic words been spoken.  The crowds are telling Pilate they'll be responsible for the blood of Jesus that's shed.  But they don't realize that spiritually, his blood WILL be upon them - in the sense that because of his blood, they (& their children) can be forgiven!

Isn't that how God often works?  With our petty, vindictive, small-minded natures, we often lash out at God & others when emotions & feelings run high.  We say & do things that are not Christ-like.  We make a mess of things regularly.  But through it all, the blood of Jesus falls upon us and our children.  Forgiveness.  Healing.  Cleansing.  Restoration.  We may not even ask for it - but it's there.  If only we'll accept it.

If only...

Redemption Timing

"Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother..."
(Philemon 1:15-16)

Interesting scenario we've got here: Onesimus was a servant of Philemon's... who, for whatever reason, ran away from his master. Sometime later, Onesimus hooked up with Paul - the guy who originally helped shepherd/disciple Philemon. The two of them hit it off and Onesimus became quite a blessing to Paul while in prison.

Now Paul is sending Onesimus back to his master... but with a request: that Philemon might officially release this run-away slave into Paul's full service. It's a bold request, undoubtedly due to the fact that Philemon was probably still quite upset at Onesimus (and put out by his abandonment). Nevertheless, Paul has a unique perspective on it. "Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while" so that the two of them might now have the kind of relationship they NEVER had before - one of "beloved brotherhood."

I just finished reading THE SHACK. What a powerful book! SO many wonderful lessons from scripture are illuminated through that profound story. One of which, I felt, was trying to look at a difficult situation from God's perspective (rather than our limited one). There are so many things we can't see or know about what's happening now. And God can cause any seemingly bad situation to work for good! It doesn't mean God causes the "bad" to happen, but anything can be redeemed.

I believe that's what Paul was alluding to. God could redeem Onesimus' disobedience and disertion... if only Philemon would forgive him, welcome him back, and then release him to Paul.

Might there be something you need God's redemption for?

PRAYER: I often have no clue about why things happen the way they do, Lord. It's not really necessary for me to know all the time, either. Help me to trust that indeed you work all things for GOOD! Amen.