A Reason - The Season

In the country where we live, it is not unusual for law authorities, to keep putting out bulletins, warning people to be extra careful and super vigilant  around, this season. Maybe it’s the same where you live also. What is, this season? It is the Christmas Season, the time of year when people celebrate Jesus’ Birth.

Having just watched a video clip of a young man, in broad daylight, pushing an elderly woman down, as he snatched her handbag and ran, I was quite appalled. Not only that, but when the statement from the police came through the media, we were told of multiple robberies. A stern warning, with tips on how to protect oneself, was also given. We were told of the heightened and increased robberies as people were shopping for Christmas. It was distinctly stated once again, that thieves, robbers, hijackers and many more evil-minded people, were out in their numbers plying their evil trade, just because of the time of year.

Now hearing this is nothing new, but for the first time it has hit me in the depths of my spirit that many are using the celebration of the first coming of Jesus, as the time to show that evil rules and reigns and that the celebration of Peace and Love, can and will be marred by deliberate, unconscionable acts of evil. Yes, evil takes place all the time, for we are evil and this has been clearly stated in Jeremiah 17: 9. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? However, though the Word has been made flesh and lives among us, although Light has come to our dark world, too many of us prefer the darkness of sin, rather than the Light of Righteousness.  

When we return to massacres which took place because of one man’s obsessions, fears and utter depravity of heart and mind, seeking the satanic cravings of self, we are reminded that this most horrific and unbelievable action on the part of one person, was mournfully prophesied years earlier, by prophet Jeremiah. I quote it as it has been recorded in Matthew 2: 18. A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more. Suddenly, the glad tidings of great joy, announced by the heavenly messenger, have turned the opposite way. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Luke 2: 10b. Where is the good news for Rachel? What joy is there in the news which she has just received? All with the Birth of a Baby, Jesus, in David’s town, there are the deaths of many more babies in other towns. This Advent has brought nothing but inconsolable grief, unpacifiable mourning and unstoppable weeping for Rachel.

Whom does Rachel represent? She represents the mother of Israel, who helped build up the house of Israel. She is the image of all the Jewish families who comprise the families of Israel. However, for us in our meditation, Rachel represents the Church, she who has helped to build up the community of believers. Is not the Church, you, me and all believers at this time also plagued with great sadness, sorrow and mourning? The mourning and grieving of the Church come in many ways and forms, nevertheless, there are some which we need to bring out in the open, as many believers share a common grief. Here is a parallel made with the children of Israel over 2000 years ago when Jesus Immanuel was born.

For us, in this meditation, they will be the Old Jerusalem and we, the present Body of Believers, are the New Jerusalem.

We conclude this most solemn, yet most timely week, with greater understanding, surer hope and peace in our Lord Jesus and soon coming King.