15th Day of Advent
Written by: Peter Lund
Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5
Written by: Peter Lund
Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid, that she has received from
the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
Isaiah 40: 1-2
This passage is referenced frequently in the New Testament, most notably in the 3rd chapter of Luke - we hear about "preparing a road for the Lord," which John the Baptist relates to the imminent coming of Jesus. What speaks to me most, though, is found in verse 2: "Tell them they have suffered long enough and their sins are now forgiven. I have punished them in full for all their sins." This is primarily a passage about forgiveness - the people of Jerusalem (and by extension, people everywhere) have suffered enough, the "glory of the Lord will be revealed," and sins will be forgiven. This past year, I personally experienced a situation that dealt with forgiveness - I had a massive falling out with one of my best friends late last year. She and I were completely out of touch for 10 months, yet we reconnected in October - we apologized for what was said and done, and we were actually able to re-establish our friendship. After so many months of having the negative feelings hanging over us, it was such a relief to experience forgiveness like that - not only to be forgiven, but also to forgive, as well. I think that in a small sense, this is what Isaiah is describing in this passage - the suffering has gone on long enough, and the forgiveness will be a wonderful feeling.
As we approach the Christmas season, and as we commemorate the coming of Jesus, let us focus on the forgiveness and the renewal that He brings.
Prayer: Thank you for your forgiveness, Lord, and help us to learn from your example, and practice forgiveness in our lives. Amen.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid, that she has received from
the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
Isaiah 40: 1-2
This passage is referenced frequently in the New Testament, most notably in the 3rd chapter of Luke - we hear about "preparing a road for the Lord," which John the Baptist relates to the imminent coming of Jesus. What speaks to me most, though, is found in verse 2: "Tell them they have suffered long enough and their sins are now forgiven. I have punished them in full for all their sins." This is primarily a passage about forgiveness - the people of Jerusalem (and by extension, people everywhere) have suffered enough, the "glory of the Lord will be revealed," and sins will be forgiven. This past year, I personally experienced a situation that dealt with forgiveness - I had a massive falling out with one of my best friends late last year. She and I were completely out of touch for 10 months, yet we reconnected in October - we apologized for what was said and done, and we were actually able to re-establish our friendship. After so many months of having the negative feelings hanging over us, it was such a relief to experience forgiveness like that - not only to be forgiven, but also to forgive, as well. I think that in a small sense, this is what Isaiah is describing in this passage - the suffering has gone on long enough, and the forgiveness will be a wonderful feeling.
As we approach the Christmas season, and as we commemorate the coming of Jesus, let us focus on the forgiveness and the renewal that He brings.
Prayer: Thank you for your forgiveness, Lord, and help us to learn from your example, and practice forgiveness in our lives. Amen.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment