The lectionary for this first Sunday following Christmas is from Isaiah in the Hebrew scriptures. In verse eight of the passage it is God who is to have said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely."
In the weekly Introduction to Juadaism class I am taking at the Reform Congregation Beth Ahabah, in Richmond, Virginia, there has been discussion about what does it mean to be God's people?
Is it a special or unique relationship? Is one favored beyond the "normal" relationship? What does being the children of God entail? As Christians we see ourselves as uniquely related to Jesus, just as the Jews could sometimes see themselves as uniquely related to Adoni.
When one faces a God that is able to call all creation into himself, how do we distinguish our self as a child of his people?
Isaiah 63:7-9
63:7 I will recount the gracious deeds of the LORD, the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, because of all that the LORD has done for us, and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
63:8 For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely"; and he became their savior
63:9 in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Walter Morton for Journey Across the Line
To belong to God means, forgiveness, salvation and unconditional love in spite of ourselves….this one is really deep and deserves much contemplation…Yes to be “people of God”….with so many blessings and grace comes much responsibility….but with Jesus, He keeps our burdens bearable and light…and through Him it is within our ability to be everything God wishes for us….Question is….can we recognize and accept who and what God has created in us….or do we spend our whole life chasing an elusive never realized identity we wish for? …..Not everyone can be Billy Graham, Mother Teresa or Gandhi ….but can we be them for ourselves and our family? This topic needs much reflection indeed.
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