Scripture: Isaiah 45:13
I have aroused Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his paths straight; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward, says the Lord of hosts.
Thought for the Day: I was reading about the slave ship, Fredensborg, that sank on this day in 1768. In reading the accounts of the human beings who were transported from a life of freedom to a life of enslavement, I found myself ashamed and stunned by how one group of people was so easily able to discount the dignity of another group of people. In its maiden voyage, the Fredensborg transported 265 slaves, though 29 of them died during the 78 days at sea. From an accounting perspective, this was considered an acceptable loss. Such language is deeply troubling.
The Israelites had known slavery under the Egyptians, and though we have no real accounts of the losses, we can assume they were great. A few centuries later, the Israelites experienced exile under the Babylonians…another form of bondage. But like Moses in Egypt, Emperor Cyrus of Persia (not a Jew) liberated the Jewish people from their time of exile. Cyrus was spoken of as the anointed one (or Messiah), a true savior of the people. Much of the language we find in Isaiah referring to the Coming one of God, is not specifically referring to Jesus…though we often attach it to Jesus during this season of the year. It was about Cyrus who was given that title in the prophet Isaiah, yet it also points to God’s ongoing salvific work (saving activity) to liberate those who were and are enslaved (physically, emotionally and spiritually). As we begin this Advent season, let us be mindful of how God has anointed agents of salvation throughout history, but for us as Christians, a child born in a manger is the fullest expression of this work. How has Jesus and those who have chosen to follow him helped bring liberation to your life?
Prayer: God, I give you thanks for loving humanity so much that you have and continue to bring your liberating grace to the world. May the life and work of Jesus Christ, from birth to death to resurrection, be for me the source of freedom and true life. Amen.
Join Us Tomorrow For The First Sunday Of Advent
Worship at 8:15am, 9:30am & 11:00am
Choir Concert at 7:00pm
It should be a fabulous day!!
