I am unquestionably
a chocolate lover.
That’s why
Snowflakes Chocolates in Jericho, Vt. gets a huge order of truffles, Santa
faces, angels, and nonpareils for Christmas.
It’s why I
scan the baked goods at coffee time for chocolate goodies.
So, it may
seem when I announce to the congregation that I’m giving up chocolate for Lent,
it’s a big sacrifice.
Temptations
follow the announcement as folks goad me by adding chocolate items to the
refreshment table.
Will I or
won’t I succumb to their temptations?
I am also
unquestionably one who “searches the Scriptures”, as Wesley called it.
In the pain
and tumult of our times, I am longing for God to set things right.
So, I search
the scriptures looking beyond chocolate to a non-chocolate reality to holy disruption where God is setting things right.
My first indication of God setting things right is Jesus’
baptism.
The heavens
are torn open; a Divine
voice speaks; the Spirit descends immediately casting Jesus out into the
wilderness to confront Satan’s temptations.
This is a forty-day, life-or-death struggle in the wilderness of vulnerability.
Another indication
of God setting things right is Jesus’ struggle in the wilderness, where wild beasts show up and Angels minister to him.
Emerging unscathed from that test and struggle, Jesus begins preaching the gospel of God saying:
“The time is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news”
Jesus is announcing God’s purposes in the coming reign: the healings, the freedom from bondage to evil, forgiveness, and the call to transformation.
As I long for God to set things right, I keep my eyes on Jesus as live under God's reign, envisioning that future.
Think About It: The voice from heaven calls Jesus “Beloved.” What does Jesus’ belovedness mean to you?
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