Today's readings are Isaiah 63.1-14 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Is.+63.1-14 ) and Luke 2.21-40 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Lk.+2.21-40 ).
Contrast. It's what enables us to discern the things all around us. Black and white, light and darkness, loud and soft, salty, sweet, sour, and bitter. Without contrasts our life would not only be dull. It would be unlivable, literally. We would not understand anything that we encountered because it would all be the same.
So often we think of the unchanging God as being one without contrasts. Especially for those of us with a bent toward having worship services in which we do the same thing day after day, week after week, it may be easy to fall into a sort of dull-minded lethargy. This applies to those with the "hard-hitting praise band" as well as to those with the organ, candles, and robes. Regardless of the flavor of worship, one element is indispensable. Christ the savior is to be at the center of our worship. And worshiping this unchanging God day after day is not like eating the very same bowl of creamy oatmeal prepared the very same way day after day. Our God, though he is unchanging, is full of sharp contrasts, as we see in today's reading.
What did we see in Isaiah? We saw the savior, coming from battle, spattered with the blood and gore of his vanquished enemies. He, our mighty warrior, has purchased salvation for the timid oppressed people who trust in him by destroying his foes singlehandedly. And the pictures in Scripture of our conquering king are very visceral. He takes human life, and not by boring anybody to death. He slays them with swords, he tramples his enemies as grapes are trampled, he dashes them to the ground in death and destruction. This is one very real facet of our Lord.
So where is our gentle Jesus, meek and mild? We see him in Luke. Born of poor parents who offer the least expensive sacrifice for purification, Jesus is presented in the temple. Those who have been waiting for the Messiah recognize him immediately, not by his being the mighty warrior. On the contrary, he can't even hold his own head up or stay awake more than a few hours at a time at this point. Not much of a warrior, is he? Some king, who can't afford a bull as an offering. Some commander of heaven and earth, who doesn't even know how to speak. But nevertheless, our Lord and Savior has communicated with us. He has associated with the poorest of the poor. He understands weakness. He has become just the kind of person he came to save, except without sin.
Are we burdened with our weakness? Are we frustrated by our desire and inability to take vengeance? Are we left looking at evil which we can't combat, wishing that someone would do something, but knowing that no earthly person is likely to do so? Are we tired of looking at that brick wall that we can't walk through or climb over? Are we sick and tired of being subject to the curse of sin? Let us take comfort and encouragement. This very Jesus who came into the world as a helpless baby in a poor family is the deliverer of mankind. He has come to break the power of sin. He has shown himself victorious over death, hell and the grave. He indeed is the Lord who saves his people.
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