Advent Devotional for Dec. 22
Monday, December 22 Malachi 4:2
Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness, who brings healing.
“The sun of righteousness” looks forward to the coming of Jesus. In the verse before, Jesus is described as burning judgment against the arrogant and evildoers. But for those who revere the name of God, Jesus will come as a “sun of righteousness.” The sun, of course is a terribly hot burning ball that is capable of causing great harm but also is capable of bringing healing and life. Jesus is sort of like this; to those who oppose God, he is a burning fire, but to those who honor God, his heat can bring healing and new life.
Truth be told, the functions are not as different as they seem. Fire purifies and burns away impurities either way. In the same way, Jesus comes to reveal to us what we really are, to show us what parts of us need changing in order to become as God intended us to be. But to those who oppose God, Jesus’ fire seems as if it is cutting to the very core of their being; while those who honor and revere God recognize that God longs to see us purified and that even when Jesus’ fire burns us, it is for our good, to set us on a healthier path in our lives.
I love the image that ends this verse. When we revere God’s name, and allow Jesus’ work to purify rather than terrify us, we “shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.” The image is one of youth, of exuberance, of excitement. The picture is clear: when we revere God’s name and learn to live lives in his way, we will be given new life beyond what we can imagine.
Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness, who brings healing.
“The sun of righteousness” looks forward to the coming of Jesus. In the verse before, Jesus is described as burning judgment against the arrogant and evildoers. But for those who revere the name of God, Jesus will come as a “sun of righteousness.” The sun, of course is a terribly hot burning ball that is capable of causing great harm but also is capable of bringing healing and life. Jesus is sort of like this; to those who oppose God, he is a burning fire, but to those who honor God, his heat can bring healing and new life.
Truth be told, the functions are not as different as they seem. Fire purifies and burns away impurities either way. In the same way, Jesus comes to reveal to us what we really are, to show us what parts of us need changing in order to become as God intended us to be. But to those who oppose God, Jesus’ fire seems as if it is cutting to the very core of their being; while those who honor and revere God recognize that God longs to see us purified and that even when Jesus’ fire burns us, it is for our good, to set us on a healthier path in our lives.
I love the image that ends this verse. When we revere God’s name, and allow Jesus’ work to purify rather than terrify us, we “shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.” The image is one of youth, of exuberance, of excitement. The picture is clear: when we revere God’s name and learn to live lives in his way, we will be given new life beyond what we can imagine.
posted by Michael Jordan at 6:00 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home