Skip to main content
For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, 
the staff of their oppressor, 
just as you did on the day of Midian.
For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire.  
For a child will be born for us, 
a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. 
He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 
Eternal Father, 
Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:4-6 CSB
We love verse 6 because it's all about a baby.
And it's a beautiful picture, a child being born for us.
But this is a baby being born into a world of oppression and war.
A baby who is going to shatter oppression.
Release those who are held down.
This is about a baby who is going to light the fire in which the boots that have trampled others will be burned. 
This is not some nice thing that is going to happen that Isaiah is looking forward to, but an act of, the beginning of, rebellion.
If you know about oppression, being held down, trampled, then this Messiah is coming for you.
Has come for you. 
In him is freedom.
Yes he came as a baby, but he didn't come to be instagrammed from a stable and gain followers who thought he was cute.
He came to serve.
And to give his life as a ransom. 
He came to wage war on sin and to set us free.
#thebattleison
#lovewins

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,  for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see - such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. Colossians 1:15-16 NLT OK so this is an English translation of a letter Paul wrote to a church 2,000 years ago, but does it feel like Paul is wrestling with words and ideas to try and capture all of who Jesus is, of who God is, of how does it work that the walking around Jesus was also there before the beginning of the beginning of everything we can see and touch and know. Not only that but Jesus was somehow the agent of everything that has been made in the physical, social, and spiritual.  Jesus is at the centre of it all.  Walking around Jesus. Cooking fish for breakfast Jesus. Heart aching as he looks at p
"Do not despise these small beginnings,  for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin,  to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand." Zechariah 4:10 NLT At the centre of this story is not something shiny, something new, but the damaged, broken down ruins.  Jesus met people where they were, in the brokenness, in their hurt, in the mess. That's where he was.  We can tend to hide away the damage, sideline it, perhaps feature it only when there's been restoration.  But this story says something different.  Jesus life tells us something different. God is delighting in the small things going on in the broken down temple. He isn't saying "when it's all fixed up and looking good then I'm interested".  No, He is invested now.  Right now.  Right where we are.  Come as you are to church, to community, to fellowship, to friendship. Jesus never sidelines the hurt parts, never says they don't matter, and we don't need to either... #smallbeginnings #t
"Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware!  For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.  You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers.  But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don't worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking - it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." Matthew 10:16-20 NLT Jesus instructions to the 12 Apostles take a bit of a turn here - it's one thing going out with no money or resources, quite another expecting arrest, torture, imprisonment, just so you can talk about Jesus.  However consider the attitude Jesus asks them to walk in as they go into enemy territory - smart yet peaceful. Consider the resources Jesus is providing whe