Deep in the fabric of the Old Testament the promise of Advent is shadowed. Down the long corridor of the ages a promise is given and then given again, and yet again. To Abraham: "Leave kith and kin and make your way to a new land." To Jacob: "A new name for you...ISRAEL, the one who wrestles with God." And here in Samuel, the prophet's word to King David: "Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever." (II Samuel 7:16)
But in the years following David, the kingdom of Israel crumbled under the hammer of history, and in its wake: destruction, exile, and mourning for a dream indefinitely postponed. But even there, in the center of the maelstrom of history, there were other prophetic whispers calling to Israel: "Wait for the promise. Wait for great David's greater Son. Somehow--above the raw jumble and confusion of life--it's as if Yahweh sort of grits his teeth and cries, "I will not forget David. I will not forget the promise. I will remember."
At Christmastide we herald the promise anew. There is a response so that dangling anticipation. The Son of David is among us; Christ the King is loose among us! But what an unimaginable fulfillment of the promise of Yahweh! What a King is this; His birth, in a stall; His robe, borrowed; His crown, thorns; His throne, a cross. Now risen in glory, here is our king, towering "o'r the wrecks of time."
SOLI DEO GLORIA
Great God our King , startle us anew with your faithful promise, and even more, startle us with the strange and wondrous fulfillment of that promise in Christ Jesus. the King of kings is among us, and He has claimed His people for all eternity. Amen.
John M. McCoy (MDiv'63)
Austin Seminary Ambassador and Partner
Former Chair of the Board from Dalla, Texas
No comments:
Post a Comment