A Prayer About the Most Holy Paradox
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-3
Most gracious and loving Lord Jesus, I’m marinating this morning in the beautiful paradox of the weakness of your birth and the magnitude your calling. Who could’ve ever imagined that a baby whose birthing room was a stable would be the means by which God will ultimately stabilize everything awry, askew, and flat out wrong in the universe?
Who had any way of knowing that the child who nursed from a very young mother’s breast was actually the Ancient of Days-the one who brings the nourishment of salvation, redemption and restoration to God’s pan-national people and much-beloved creation?
Who recognized that the cute, cuddly spirit of this infant was actually the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord by which, one Day, all oppression will be stopped… all chains will be broken… all injustice will give way to justice… mourning will be replaced with gladness… broken hearts become healed hearts… despairing hearts become praising hearts… the disfavored become the favored of the Lord… who possibly could’ve seen, known, and believed such a thing?
We praise you, Lord Jesus, I praise you, for displaying your splendor most clearly in the gospel… the gospel of your kingdom… the gospel of God’s grace. May your splendor be more fully revealed in us and through us, until the Day you return to finish making all things new. May we, who have been declared righteous by faith in you, live as a people who love your mercy, advocate for your justice and walk humbly with you, our God. So very Amen, I pray, in your most glorious name.
