December 23rd Reflection - Zeal - by Bill Lynch

Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness
   have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
   on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
   you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
   as with joy at the harvest,
   as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
   and the bar across their shoulders,
   the rod of their oppressor,
   you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
   and all the garments rolled in blood
   shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
   a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
   and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
   and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
   He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
   from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Reflection - Zeal
In the darkness and the midst of our sin, Jesus comes. He comes to you and to me as a child. He comes to you and to me as a Savior. God comes to us and pulls us out of the depths of hell to be with him. God comes to us as a child, as a new beginning, as the weak, the poor, the hungry, the blind, the lame, the dying, the prisoner... yes God comes to us in the flesh of a baby to save us from our sinful selves.

And see the results of this salvation. God's coming takes on the burdens of war and death and the blood of all the battles ever fought and God is victorious. Yes, even as a baby, God is victorious over all of the ills of this world and it's easy.

God shines his Light upon you, me and this entire world and changes tears and mourning into shouts and songs of great joy. Yes, we have a Savior! For it is the zeal of the Lord of hosts... Zeal so tremendous that this baby, this God, this Light, would live and die for you, for me and for all the world. Zeal that automatically brings a response of great joy to those who believe and follow this One, this Light, this Savior... Jesus.

Yes, this passage written so long before the birth of Jesus in flesh, comes to a people oppressed and in need. Comes to a people in the midst of invasion and death. This passage comes to a people in darkness and death and proclaims a Savior. A Savior unlike Gideon who ruled in great power and great strategy being lead by God as the Israelites conquered the Promised Land. This passage proclaims a child that will rule and his rule will be wonderful. See the titles given to our Savior.

"Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

This is our God! This is our Savior! This is Jesus!

Doesn't this and this alone cause a response of  loving zeal within your heart?

Prayer
Lord... I love you!... How could I not? I love you and love the Savior you sent. While I was in the darkness of my sin... while I was being occupied by sin, death and the devil... you graciously and wonderfully came into my life and my heart as a Savior... as a child... as flesh and blood... you gave your life for me that I might live! Lord... I love you!... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen