The Christ In Us

As I continue reading from Isaiah this morning, once again his words seem to consistently vacillate between anger and love in a way that seems eerily human.

He was human, and yet, no doubt hearing from God given such words as Isaiah 16:5, "In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the house of David— one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness."

Words truly reflective of the Christ, yet so minimally distributed among rants of threat toward Isreal's enemies.

One would think we are living there again given the daily news media as well as words from those most religious, justifying the almost daily assaults occurring in the Middle East.

Isaiah's words have been used for centuries to justify conflict, birthing continuous animosity among those driven by religious dogma.

What if these words reflect only the strife of primitive cultures, though intermittently seeded with a hope and promise, yet only on occasion, when prophets like Isaiah reign in their hatred for countries limiting Isreal's prosperity?

That's how the best of humans too often think!

Unfortunately, when we assign spiritual credibility to those who occasionally afford their hearts toward peace, such that the "Son" shines through, we make our selves prone toward unnecessary evil and war.

We are there again, while simultaneously boasting of "One nation under God". Can you see the parallels? We now perhaps no different than Isaiah at his worst!

The mystery of scripture is the revelation captured both of God and man! The challenge is separating the two, which was the very reason God became flesh. Most religions revere the words and actions of Jesus, the Christ.

The hope behind all this was "Christ in us" as demonstrated by the man so clearly described earlier by the prophet: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." 7:14.

Immanuel, "God with us!"

All else is just "us"!

When I read scripture it is the Lord himself whom I listen for, not the human writing the words.