New Hope Lutheran Church
Many people trying to live one message of love
| New Hope Lutheran Church - 4801 Sun Valley Drive, El Paso, TX 79924 - Office 915.821.2079 - Jeff St. Clair, Pastor |
JESUS IN UNEXPECTED PLACES
A prominent scriptural theme is the wonder of finding God where one
might least look for God. God comes not only in all that is good in creation
but also in all that is broken and tragic. God comes not only in the
blessings that shower upon God's people anew each day, but also in trials,
doubts, and sufferings. God comes in the unexpected: through people like
Isaiah, young and terrified at the task before him. Nonetheless, Isaiah is
given words to speak!
Ultimately, God comes in Jesus, the son of a carpenter. Jesus, born in
poverty, reveals God. Jesus, child of refugees, reveals God. Jesus, one
neighbor like any other, reveals. God. Jesus, rejected, reveals God. Jesus,
crucified, reveals God.
What hope this gives! It is hope that is often described in the concept of
the "theology of the cross." We can look for God in power, glory, or might
- but God chooses to be disclosed in the last places we would expect such
disclosure. Where we look for God in what is great, God comes in what is
despised and rejected. Where we look for God in what is strong, God
comes in weakness.
This is hope unlike any other. It is hope to those who live in poverty and
those who lives are one long story of pain. God has not abandoned these,
God's people; God is with them, even as with Isaiah. It is hope to those
who suffer violence, disease, and affliction. God does not turn a deaf ear
here, interested only in what is beautiful and good. God, revealed in Jesus,
works good for the last and the least.
God's Work. Our Hand. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
A prominent scriptural theme is the wonder of finding God where one
might least look for God. God comes not only in all that is good in creation
but also in all that is broken and tragic. God comes not only in the
blessings that shower upon God's people anew each day, but also in trials,
doubts, and sufferings. God comes in the unexpected: through people like
Isaiah, young and terrified at the task before him. Nonetheless, Isaiah is
given words to speak!
Ultimately, God comes in Jesus, the son of a carpenter. Jesus, born in
poverty, reveals God. Jesus, child of refugees, reveals God. Jesus, one
neighbor like any other, reveals. God. Jesus, rejected, reveals God. Jesus,
crucified, reveals God.
What hope this gives! It is hope that is often described in the concept of
the "theology of the cross." We can look for God in power, glory, or might
- but God chooses to be disclosed in the last places we would expect such
disclosure. Where we look for God in what is great, God comes in what is
despised and rejected. Where we look for God in what is strong, God
comes in weakness.
This is hope unlike any other. It is hope to those who live in poverty and
those who lives are one long story of pain. God has not abandoned these,
God's people; God is with them, even as with Isaiah. It is hope to those
who suffer violence, disease, and affliction. God does not turn a deaf ear
here, interested only in what is beautiful and good. God, revealed in Jesus,
works good for the last and the least.
God's Work. Our Hand. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Isaiah 6:1-8 [9-13], 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11
Link to Previous "Jeff's Jingles"
Continue!
Jesus in Unexpected Places
Continue!
Jesus in Unexpected Places