Questions! Questions! Questions!
After rereading the birth story of Jesus in Luke 2:1-14, I am filled with questions.
It all begins with Mary. She asks the profound question “how can this be?” when the angel Gabriel first announces to her that she will soon bear a child. How can I bear a child when I am a virgin? How can I be the means by which the Son of God comes into the world? How can it be that God is coming into this world in human form anyway?
Eventually Mary accepted her role. She asked her questions, and accepted what God asked of her. Are we asking questions openly and honestly, and accepting what God asks of us?
Joseph and Mary question their ability to be parents. How can this be, that God trusts us to be the human, fallible parents of the Son of God? How can God allow this baby to be human and subject to human errors and disease? How is it that this baby is the “Lord and King”?
Eventually Mary and Joseph accepted their role as parents. They asked their questions and accepted what God asked of them. Are we asking questions openly and honestly and seeking what God would have us to do?
The people in our churches have always questioned and struggled to agree on the concepts of our faith. From the beginning, the disciples had so many questions. How can this be that this man Jesus is the “messiah” – the one to save us all? How is it that God has come to us in human form?
The disciples eventually accepted what Jesus had shown them through his resurrection. They asked their questions and accepted what God asked of them. Are we asking questions openly and honestly, and accepting what God asks of us?
When we ask our questions and face our doubts, we discover the real truth. This story of Jesus’ birth reminds us that this is not about what we know and understand in our heads, but rather what we know and understand in our hearts. God is reaching out to each of us. We must respond in faith and love!!!
Questions? Doubt? Respond to God with all of your heart!
Rev. Suzanne Ellis
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