Thursday 27th April
Read Isaiah 40:9-11
“You who bring good news to Zion,
go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,
lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
say to the towns of Judah,
‘Here is your God!’
10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
he gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.” (NIVUK)
The fourth and final voice cries out and it is the voice of the holy city, Jerusalem (at least in other translations it is…). Jerusalem cries out to the surrounding villages to be bold and confident because God has arrived. Jerusalem is a herald on the hill proclaiming the good news that God comes powerfully but gently.
It is no wonder the New Testament authors associate these lines with Jesus’ arrival – the Lion and the Lamb. Nor is it surprising that Jerusalem remains at the centre of the radiating good news wrought by our gentle but powerful King.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’” (Acts 1:8) (NIVUK)
We are now part of the holy city. We pick up that baton and witness to the coming of God from ‘the ends of the earth’. How are you going with the instructions… ‘lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid.’ (v9c)? Join us for book group in May perhaps?
