Perspective?
Transformed
Gen 32:13-34:31, Matt 11:7-30, Psalm 14:1-7, Prov 3:19-20
“But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.”
What parallel story comes to mind when you read how Esau greets Jacob?
Consider who steals the birthright, who connives the blessing, and who continues to deceive wives and family? And then fears for his life when having to face all he has done with his twin?
The prior evening, he wrestles all night with God opening his eyes to see the face of God. Then confronted with the inner wrestling of having to face all he has done wrong, and the fear of what he has coming to him, imagine the surprise of his brother running to meet him, embracing him, falling on his neck, and kissing him.
Imagine, this holy moment of forgiveness and transformation that leads Jacob to proclaim to Esau, “truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God.”
The face of God, the sacrifice, the forgiveness, and the restoration of relationship–through Esau.
Think about the parallel with the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32).
How does this help us to see Esau in a new way? How does this help us to open vast God’s love can be for someone outside of our circles–of other faith traditions, different cultures and backgrounds?
Can we see our story, our acceptance, and God’s redemption through a new lens? It’s truly a beautiful story. Consider, whatever you are holding on to, your disappointments and hurts, may you keep your eyes open to the possibilities of where you might see the face of God.
Let’s keep on walking.
Happy Friday,
Pastor Rob
(Join us tomorrow for our first guest entry from our own, Shannon Skelly)