10-03-20

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
October 3, 2020
Scripture: Isaiah 25:4-6
For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat. When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm, the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place, you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds; the song of the ruthless was stilled. On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.

Thought for the Day: In Exodus 24, God invited Moses and a group of other leaders to the mountain for worship, sacrifice and celebration. In Matthew 17, Jesus takes a few select disciples to what we will be known as the Mountain of Transfiguration. There are a lot of stories of small groups ascending mountains and encountering God. In Isaiah, we hear another story of a gathering on a mountain where the wine and food are plentiful. The big difference is found in who is there partaking of this amazing feast. Unlike so many other passages, this vision describes the Lord of hosts making a feast “for all peoples.” This same vision is echoed in Paul’s Letter to the Philippians where he writes, “…so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…” Every and All are not carrying within them some concealed meaning that signifies something other than Every and All. Throughout scripture we find these stunning revelations of grace, exceptionally remarkable when you think of their context. Whether we are talking ancient Israel struggling for identity or the early church under Roman rule, the only All and Every being discussed were conquering, and if need be, destroying All people Every-where. I can’t take my eyes off these words and their simple, yet far reaching message that could only have its origin in something other than the narrow and self-serving vision of humanity. It must be God.

Prayer: Take me to the mountain, Gracious God of the Feast, and let me see your banquet table with seating for all people. Amen.

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