Gather Pt. 1
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. 11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the Mediterranean.
12 He will raise a banner for the nations
and gather the exiles of Israel;
he will assemble the scattered people of Judah
from the four quarters of the earth.
Isaiah 11:10-12
The Premier League has just finished up for another year and again my team didn’t win (sad face). But for another year, I’ve watched as thousands and thousands of people from every tribe and nation in the stadium and many millions more watching at home have rallied behind their team's banner to support well… a bunch of people kicking a ball around.
Now, there’s much more to it than that. Nationalism, tribalism, tradition etc. etc. But still. It’s a bunch of sweaty blokes, a ball and two nets. And what’s worse, some of these guys aren’t great people. I mean, I don’t really know them but they don’t come off as overly kind. And neither are their teams. What a thing to be gathered around?
But Christian. We have been drawn into something far greater. Jesus Christ, the root of Jesse (another way of saying Son of David), has raised a banner. Its symbol is the cross and its value statement is faith, hope and love. Its leader is no hypocrite but a man who deserves His accolades.
And we are privileged enough to be allowed, welcomed even, to gather in His name. And yet, how often we treat that privilege with disdain and disregard. As if we are doing Christ a favour rather than seeing that we are the recipients of incredible grace.
How much more excited should we be to have a ticket to the Sunday Gathering. To be allowed to celebrate Jesus with all His people. And to hear His words to us. Do you see that today?
For Today:
Pray:
12 He will raise a banner for the nations
and gather the exiles of Israel;
he will assemble the scattered people of Judah
from the four quarters of the earth.
Isaiah 11:10-12
The Premier League has just finished up for another year and again my team didn’t win (sad face). But for another year, I’ve watched as thousands and thousands of people from every tribe and nation in the stadium and many millions more watching at home have rallied behind their team's banner to support well… a bunch of people kicking a ball around.
Now, there’s much more to it than that. Nationalism, tribalism, tradition etc. etc. But still. It’s a bunch of sweaty blokes, a ball and two nets. And what’s worse, some of these guys aren’t great people. I mean, I don’t really know them but they don’t come off as overly kind. And neither are their teams. What a thing to be gathered around?
But Christian. We have been drawn into something far greater. Jesus Christ, the root of Jesse (another way of saying Son of David), has raised a banner. Its symbol is the cross and its value statement is faith, hope and love. Its leader is no hypocrite but a man who deserves His accolades.
And we are privileged enough to be allowed, welcomed even, to gather in His name. And yet, how often we treat that privilege with disdain and disregard. As if we are doing Christ a favour rather than seeing that we are the recipients of incredible grace.
How much more excited should we be to have a ticket to the Sunday Gathering. To be allowed to celebrate Jesus with all His people. And to hear His words to us. Do you see that today?
For Today:
- What’s one thing that is great about Jesus?
- Do you sometimes think you are doing God a favour by turning up to Church?
- How high a priority is the Sunday gathering to you?
Pray:
- Praise the Father for His glorious grace in Jesus Christ.
- Give thanks for Jesus and what it cost Him to raise the banner of salvation.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others celebrate our gatheredness.
Posted in Planted
No Comments