From the last section of Thomas Oden's book The Justification Reader.
Abraham's faith was implicitly a faith in the promise of God's future deliverance (Gregory of Nyssa). Yahweh promised Abraham that all nations were to be blessed through his son, Isaac. Yet Yahweh commanded Abraham to go to Mount Moriah and offer up Isaac as a sacrifice! Abraham nonetheless trusted God, made his necessary preparations, and immediately set out on the journey. This exemplary readiness to trust in God's promise made him the prototype for all persons of faith in the Bible (Hebrews 11:8-19).
He "nonetheless trusted God." That is quite a statement - quite a life move. The son...the gift...the blessing, and yet he is to offer him up to God. But that is not all. The promise is still there. Abraham trusted that even if Isaac was offered up...Abraham would still be the blessed one...and father of a people. That is hope beyond hope. It is trust that continues in the face of what seems to be the greatest absurdity. It is faith in a promise...a promise given by one in whom your whole life will find rest even as there is no rest in sight. Nonetheless...Abraham trusted God...whew! Beyond comprehension...and yet not beyond living faith - a gift to all God's people for life.
Connection: Today...in that face of all that will take place....nonetheless, trust God. In the meantime, gather around others who will be a community of people that will nurture faithfulness in one another.
Lord of the Church, you bring us the great gift of faith in you alone and you send your Spirit to stir up your promise of new life within us. Praise to you for making this a new day that leans on your everlasting promise without compromise. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment