God shouting...

Isaiah 52:7-10.   Psalm 98.   Hebrews 1:1-14.   John 1:1-14

Liza walked into the room where her husband Henry was seated. She said, “There’s a hole in the bucket, dear Henry…”

No, no, no, wait…wrong story. This is the story I wanted to tell you. 

Liza walked into the room and said something to Henry, but Henry failed to respond. Liza then repeated herself word for word, but just a wee bit louder…at this point Henry turned in the direction of the sounds waves and said, “Sorry? Are you talking to me?” Again, Liza repeated herself, word for word, just a little louder. But Henry had already turned away and again did not hear what Liza had said. “What? Speak up, dear Liza. I can’t hear you.” Of course, you know exactly what happened at this point. Dear Liza raised her voice several decibels and repeated herself yet again. Henry turned around startled and said, “Alright, alright! You don’t have to shout. I’m not deaf.” For a split second Liza stood there wondering whether or not she ought to state the obvious, but she thought better of it, turned, and silently exited the room leaving dear Henry wondering what he had done wrong.

It is Christmas time, dearest beloved brethren. This is the time when God entered the room and shouted. 

Do you hear what I hear? 

The author to the Hebrews tells us that in times past, “God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.” But now…now, God has raised His voice a number of decibels and He has shouted to us through His Son…

The Word…the same Word that spoke everything into existence…that Word has entered the world, radiating the glory of God and expressing the very character of God…and yet, John tells us, the world has largely not heard His voice. “He came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him.” And sadly, to this day, many do not hear His voice…many do not recognize Him…many still reject Him.

But those who did hear Him…those who did believe Him and accept Him…to them He gave the right to become children of God. The Word, dearest beloved brethren, the Word has become flesh…He has taken on human form…a form we share and know only too well…a form we can relate to…He took on human form and came to live among us so that we could not only hear, but see…see His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

But the Word did not become flesh only to be rendered silent once again after His death, resurrection, and ascension. No! He has spoken to us so that those who hear may become His spokespeople. Isaiah tells us that the feet of the messenger that brings good news of peace and of salvation are blessed. That is who we are, dearest beloved brethren…we are messengers. Jesus told the disciples just prior to His ascension that they would be filled with the Holy Spirit and then they would become messengers…witnesses…to Him to the ends of the earth. This is our identity…this is our purpose…this is the reason for our existence as the Church of Jesus Christ. We are messengers of peace and salvation to all.

Think of the many wonderful things God has done in your lives over the years…especially the little things…the unexpected things. Then think about Who He is…think about His Person…His character. God is love. He personifies kindness, righteousness, goodness, patience, compassion, forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Think of His faithfulness to you and how He has shown and demonstrated His presence with you. That’s what the Psalmist was doing…and what was his advice? “Sing a new song!” He said, “Shout to the Lord!” Shout…shout it out…go, tell it on the mountains, the hymnist wrote….over the hills and everywhere, that Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, God incarnate, has come into the room and He is seeking to communicate in Person to all who have ears to hear.

Indeed, is that not what the Eucharist is all about? What did Jesus say on the night He was betrayed? “This is My body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me….This cup is the new covenant between God and His people. Do this in remembrance of me every time you drink it.” Because, as the Apostle Paul said, “every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until He comes again.” 

God is shouting at us through the Eucharist…

Do you hear what I hear?

“I have done everything possible so we can communicate together for all eternity. I have done this so that the world might know Me, their Creator and their God. I have spoken in various ways before to your ancestors, but now…this Christmas tide…I have walked into the room and I have shouted through My Son. Would you join Me? Would you shout with Me?” 

© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2019