Collect for Advent Three
Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ:
Grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Ps. 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Galatians 4: 4-7
Luke 2: 15-21
During one of our Christmas services, in poor light, the reader of Hebrews 1, instead of ‘He is the reflection of God’s glory’, said ‘He is the revolution of God’s Glory’. It might have been unintentional – but whether it was or wasn’t, it was the Holy Spirit that spoke those words.
Yes, the Christ is indeed the reflection of God’s Glory – but He is also the leader of the revolution against the power of the Satan in the world. He refuses to allow His people to be oppressed, refuses to allow them to be condemned, refuses to allow prejudice replace justice, refuses to allow love to be suppressed by anger, greed and hatred.
In the eyes of the Temple leadership, Jesus is Himself regarded as a terrorist attacking their religious hierarchies and complacent self-centred teaching. But the term is often misused. When people fight back against what they see as injustice, the ruling party will label those who revolt against it as ‘terrorist’ to justify suppression, often by force. But those who are subject to such unjust persecution would instead refer to themselves as ‘Freedom Fighters’.
History is filled with examples, from Simon the Zealot, through the Suffragette movement to Nelson Mandela; Guy Fawkes through Che Guevara to Osama Bin Laden. We revere some, revile others, depending on who we are and where we stand – but to a greater or lesser extent, violence and bearing arms is a common feature.
Jesus – the revolutionary terrorist according to the Sanhedrin – is different, however, in one unique regard.
His only weapon is love.
Even for enemies.
Which is how His Victory is won.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 5th November 2023
“Do as I say, not as I do”. The mantra of hypocritical leaders through the ages. It is important to note that Jesus makes a clear distinction between the righteous observance of the Law and the self-important practice of the Pharisees.
Praying Together 29th October 2023
Hallowmas is a season we should not ignore, but instead celebrate as a festival of light, in the beauty of Autumn colours and enjoying a time for creation to rest in peace.
Praying Together 22nd October 2023
When the world lives in Christ, it’s laws are true and just. When it doesn’t, they are not, and we must reject them. There can be no compromise.
Praying Together 15th October 2023
Whoever we are – even unto this last -Jesus asks us to dine with Him. He has bought us the entrance fee. All He asks is that we accept Him as Lord.
Praying Together 8th October 2023
Throughout the centuries, God offers a gift being able to choose life and starting again, but when continually refused, He shakes the dust off His sandals and moves on. Could you blame Him, then, if He turns Hs blessing to the poor?
Praying Together 1st October 2023
The reward for accepting Him is the joy of knowing freedom, and then to accept His command to work in the vineyard, to feed His lambs – not with empty words, but with deeds.
Praying Together 24th September 2023
Heavenly Father, help us to work to accomplish your will for us according to our individual gifts without comparing ourselves to others. Help us to acknowledge our own failures and avoid condemning others for theirs.
Praying Together 17th September 2023
And when it comes down to it, I will always need forgiveness – as do we all. For all of us have sinned and fallen short.
Praying Together 10th September 2023
Yes of course we have a responsibility to address sin – but before we criticise others, we need to start with ourselves.
Praying Together 3rd September 2023
‘Those who want to save their life will lose it’, said Jesus, but though people hear Him, they don’t actually listen.
Praying Together 27th August 2023
In the end, it is Peter, once again, who takes the step that faith demands. Thousands since that day have proclaimed the same. And so do I.
Praying Together 20th August 2023
As are we all, whoever we may be – Jew, Greek, slave, free, man, woman. One in Jesus, the Christ. That’s the important bit.