Zephaniah 1: De-Creation – Part VI
Saturday, April 13, 2024
At that time I will explore Jerusalem with lamps . . .
When we begin to believe that our own simple actions of justice will have no effect on the world, then we will know that we are losing heart; yet Paul reminds the Corinthians, and he reminds us, that when we are weak, then we are strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10) On Good Friday, we descended into hell with the Savior and returned with him. We took the tiny light of hope the Spirit enkindles in us, and today we go into the world.
We de-create ourselves when we become willing to stumble and fall so that we might rise and grow in Christ. We discover the power of God when we submit ourselves to the Creator’s authority so that we might turn and return in the Spirit. In this Eastertide, we take the flickering flame of Christ’s love and nurture it, so that we might go into the world as wounded healers. You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14)
We remember that grains of wheat must die before they create new life. Jesus says: I am telling you the truth: a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. If it does die, then it produces many grains. (John 12:24) In this Eastertide, we allow God’s love to de-create us so that we might live again.
We tend to the light that lives within; we surrender to God; we offer all that we have, and all that we are so that we might be remnant for God. For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it. (Matthew 16:25) On this Good Friday, let us explore these verses and reflect on the inversions before us. And on this day, let us be Remnant for God.
Images from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=1bUUn2AMSqM and https://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/the-wave-sheaf-offering-a-ceremony-foreshadowing-salvation
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