Part 6 of the "Embracing Christ" Sermon Series
In the three acts of embracing, then, you have your three challenges this week: Show commitment, trust, and affirmation toward God, and also toward one another. And while you do this, remember to continue forward with your attitude of gratitude and all the rest you have taken with you from this journey. May you proclaim the words as the prophet Isaiah did: “I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced” (Isaiah 50:6-7). Jesus did not hide his face; neither do we have to. Let the stones speak God’s glory for themselves, or proclaim along with them. If you are still here – If I have not scared you away yet – you obviously want to be closer to God. We do not grow closer by standing idly by and waiting for something to happen. I had a fortune this week at the Chinese Restaurant in Tiffin where I had lunch with Dan Busch: It read, “Waiting sometimes has consequences.” While the Bible does affirm waiting for the Lord in hope so that we can gain back our strength, it does not support a passive waiting. While we wait, we are to embrace one another and God. We are still to seek God out, however we best do that, through a devoted life toward God. We read Scripture, we pray, and we embrace one another. In this commitment, you and I are truly ready to walk with Jesus on this road of suffering. Even where life lets us down, walking with Jesus does not. It will have it’s trying moments, and there will be times that we recognize this week where we will be tempted to turn away for fear of our lives or our reputation, but when we hold true to the path, we will always be victorious in the end. Hold true. Hold steady. And may all glory and honor be to God. Thanks be to God. Amen.
