ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 22, 2022
In the 5th chapter of the Prophet Micah, we read: “And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace…” In earlier words from that same chapter, the Prophet Micah was speaking of a new ruler who would come from the common folk of Bethlehem. There is no denying the illusion to King David in this passage, and though the Prophet was looking for the new Messianic One, the individual who was to come would be cut from the same cloth as David.
I appreciate looking back for a model to use in the present, and to a great extent, our faith is about looking to the ancient stories. There is much to learn there, but what we discover in the birth of Jesus is that he reshapes the ancient stories for the unique circumstances into which he was born. I’m not suggesting that we get ourselves a Messianic Complex, but what we learn in the birth of Christ is that we are all called upon to take the ancient stories and give new life to them so that they are relevant in this day and time. Our world remains in desperate need of someone who will feed the flock, provide a sense of stability, and make a way for peace. Whether it was Micah’s hope, the joy of the manger, or even the people of Cypress Creek Christian Church, the challenge for every generation is to find a relevant expression of the ancient story.
O Emmanuel, you are present to us in ways that take into account our current circumstance and social context. Instill in us a desire to make your loving presence relevant to those who long for a God who takes the unique issues that people face in every time and place seriously. Amen.
