Zechariah 14:4-9
On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives , east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake inthe days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.
On that day there will be no sunlight, no cold, frosty darkness. It will be a unique day - a day known only to the Lord - with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light.
On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterrean Sea, in summer and in winter.
The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.
The first Sunday of Advent represents the hope of redemption. We relive with the historic people of Israel the anxious waiting they did for the anointed one (Messiah). At the same time, we ourselves are waiting for the final redemption of all creation.
The passage from Zechariah illustrates the now and later aspect of redemption. Zechariah's words depict a deliverance from exile - a harsh reality for the Israelites - and yet something they've experienced before. (Note how God will part a mountain in order to deliver the people - eerily similar to how the Red Sea had been parted in Exodus.) But also in Zechariah's words are pictures of a day that needs no light and filled with living water, a day where God is God and no other name can stand. God would deliver his people from exile, but there is still more to come.
What are you waiting for this Advent season? Are you waiting in line to get the best deals? Are you waiting on the interstate in holiday traffic? Are you waiting on loved ones to come home?
As you wait, reorient your heart towards the One who is coming.
No comments:
Post a Comment