We have a devotional that touches our hearts, and we want to share it with you. We can't recall its origin, but we think it is based on a true happening.
A young (early 30's) Jewish woman died. She had a very nice funeral with many friends and relatives in attendance. Everything was proceeding according to custom and protocol -- with one exception: in her right hand the deceased was holding a silver fork.
Of course, this was noticed by the mourners and many of them approached the Rabbi and asked him about the fork. In reply, the Rabbi related this story -- It seems that the young woman had known for several months that she had a terminal illness and had sought out the Rabbi for counseling. During these sessions she had specifically requested of the Rabbi that, at her funeral, a silver fork be placed in her right hand. She was recalling the happy occasions of her childhood when she and her family would to go her grandmother's house for special celebrations which, of course, would always involve a sumptuous meal. At the end of these meals, as her plate was being cleared away, her grandma would lean over and quietly tell her, "Now, Honey, you keep your fork." As a child, she learned very quickly that when she heard those words, "keep your fork" that the really good stuff would soon follow -- not just cookies, but strawberry short cake or apple pie with ice cream! Yes! The really good stuff was yet to come.
And this, she told the Rabbi, was how she felt about death. Death was not just the end of life, but the beginning of a new life. The best was yet to come.
Scripture: John 14:2
Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; if there were not, I would have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too. You know the way to the place where I am going.
Charles and Margaret Ann Lewis
Sunday Evening
Lectionary Reference: Isaiah 40: 1-11
Scripture proclaims Israel's great expectations for the promised Messiah. In Chapter 40, Verses 1 through 11, the prophet Isaiah not only announces Messiah's coming but also states with particularity the accomplishments which He will deliver. Jerusalem will be comforted. Israel will fight no more wars. The chosen people will be forgiven of their sins. According to Isaiah, no force will prevent Messiah's success: even in the wilderness and out on the desert the Lord's way will be forged; every valley will rise in his coming and every hill which he passes will be made low; crooked roads will be made straight; and rough places made plain. All of this for God's glory to be fully revealed. Such glory will be observed without hindrance, since all flesh shall see it together. Isaiah does not make these promises based on his own authority but from the mouth of God who has spoken it. (Verses 1-5)
All mankind is to experience Messiah's considerable power. Isaiah predicts that Messiah will elevate Zion to the top of the mountain where Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah will live without fear and will reap the blessings of good tidings. Since he possesses strong arms, Messiah will come with great might. He will avenge Israel against her enemies and bring her great rewards in all things -- even feeding the sheep of His flock like a shepherd. (Verses 9-11).
Little wonder then that Israel's leaders expressed a keen disappointment when a little Nazarene baby was born amid the mud and manure of stable animals with only humble shepherds to herald his arrival. Where was the long awaited military muscle in those events? And eventually, when his Divine message included the condemnation of the scribes and chief priests for their misunderstanding of the nature of sin and their misapplication of God's law in human affairs, Israel's leadership became absolutely convinced that Jesus was not Wonderful, not a Counselor and certainly no one's Prince of Peace.
2000 years later we must honestly ask ourselves this question: if so many people in the first generation of Christendom could not see this baby for who He is and they were physically present to greet him, how can we be expected to objectively see Him today? The honest answer is that we can not. We may search for Him in history, but we will always only experience Him through the eyes of faith.
In 1742, George Frideric Handel demonstrated such a faith. That year he composed the most influential oratorio of all time -- The Messiah. The oratorio's first movement draws heavily upon Isaiah 40: 1-11, but its backbone is the birth narrative from Luke's Gospel. Through Handel's pen these two passages of scripture unite to produce a Pastoral Symphony of great calm and peace. . . its power almost defies description. When King George II of England heard Handel's full oratorio performed for the first time, he stood up for the singing of The Hallelujah Chorus which occurs in the third movement. Afterward George II said that no person, monarch or otherwise, should remain seated in the presence of the King of Kings.
The good news of Advent is this: once again, through the grace of God, our Messiah is coming into our lives on Christmas Day. Let us be on our feet to receive Him.
Tom Craig
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