Living in the Spirit
October 1, 2021
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. –Hebrews 1:1-4
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
The Word with a capital “W” is dynamically alive. We value words recorded and passed down over the centuries to expand our understanding of the Word of God, who was and is God’s Son, Jesus the Christ. Described in the above scripture as being present at creation, I have wondered if the mysterious Melchizedek was the Christ. There are not enough trees on earth to create the amount of paper required to tell the story of God with Us or gigabytes of storage to contain it. Yet, I do not remember a time in my life when my friend Jesus was not available to me, if I sought him.
I read the story of Chicken Little as a child. Based on the English tale of one Henny Penny, its moral cautions us of the danger that people trying to incite panic can result in opportunists like Foxy-woxy doing real harm*. Unfortunately, there is a lot of that going on around us today. We need to stop being used for nefarious purposes and recognize that panic does not help and is unnecessary because God with Us has graced us with the life of his Son, Jesus the Christ, who has already overcome the world**.
I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart***.
Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we get caught up in the frenzy of the world’s panic. Grant us your shalom to carry us through such distractions from working for you in building your Kingdom. Amen.
* https://americanliterature.com/childrens-stories/henny-penny-the-sky-is-falling
**John 16:33
***First Verse and Chorus of the hymn He Lives by Alfred Henry Ackley see at https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/503
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.