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| VILLA ALESSA - PATHWALK PAINTING December 04, 2022 |
"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike."
LUKE 10:21
God’s gracious will is revealed to us through His word, His Spirit, and His son Jesus Christ. His wisdom and grace are not accessible to those who are proud, arrogant, or self-reliant, but to those who are humble, simple, and trusting like children.
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” (Luke 10:21-24)
God is kind, compassionate, and generous to us, even though we do not deserve it. He has a plan and purpose for our lives, and He wants to bless us and help us grow in His love. We need to have a personal relationship with God as our Father, and not just a theoretical or intellectual knowledge of Him. Developing a personal relationship with God is a lifelong journey that involves faith, love, and obedience.
On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him: a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a Spirit of counsel and of strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and His delight shall be the fear of the Lord. Not by appearance shall He judge, nor by hearsay shall He decide, but He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around His waist, and faithfulness a belt upon His hips. Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea. On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for His dwelling shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:1-10)
This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is the Son of David and the Savior of the world. The bud that blossoms from his roots represents the fruitfulness and glory of the Messiah, who will be filled with God’s Spirit and rule with justice and peace.
To govern and rule with justice means to exercise authority and power in a way that is fair, righteous, accountable and respectful of the rights and dignity of all people. It also means to follow and uphold the rule of law, which is a system of laws, institutions, norms and community commitment that delivers just law, open government and accessible and impartial justice to people. To govern and rule with justice is a responsibility and a challenge for both the leaders and the citizens of any society.
O God, with Your judgment endow the king; and with Your justice, the king’s son; He shall govern Your people with justice and Your afflicted ones with judgment. Justice shall flower in His days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. May He rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. He shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor He shall save. May His name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain. In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness. (Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17)
God’s name is ultimately revealed and glorified in Jesus Christ, who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. God’s name, which represents His character and His deeds, will be blessed or exalted by all people and all nations, both now and forevermore.
Pericope:
V: The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke's Travel Narrative
PRAISE OF THE FATHER/THE PRIVILEGES OF DISCIPLESHIP
Luke 10:21-22/23-24
II: Immanuel Prophecies
THE RULE OF IMMANUEL
Isaiah 11:1-9
Second Book of Psalms 42-72
A PRAYER FOR THE KING
Psalm 72:1-20
Reflection Source:
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