Of Stables & Deserts
Inhospitable places to humans are the rich soils for eternity!
Elijah rose from a mountainous Gilead, John the Baptist was groomed in the desert, Jesus was born in a stable!
Into His contemporary religious desert, and the arid faith of the Pharisees an Infant would introduce fresh life-giving faith, a faith where living-water bubbled yet weeds could not grow.
This new faith would produce a good faith -- grace would replace greed and love would replace law.
From the manger would rise the Messiah.
(However for another two millennia the wrestle of religion has remained between suffocating dry rules and a liberating vibrant grace.)
Sadly the murderous malevolence that surrounded this Infant's birth would later consume His adult life.
Thirty-three years later Jesus' parched and burning throat would cast words of grace across the hateful assembled throng.
A displaced Jesus was born, misunderstood He died, and mistaken by most He rose again.
From the stable came the surprising wealth of grace, marked by the replacement of 'rules' with 'relationship'.
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. (Titus 2:11)
Today's Soul Snippet:
'All who would fall at Jesus' feet, He will touch them, comfort them and then raise them up.' ~ Michael Cartwright
Love this SoulSnack - PLEASE don't keep it to yourself? Would you like to subscribe for free SoulSnacks either weekly or each workday?