Making Loincloths
January YOTB Readings
Genesis 8:1-10:32, Matt 4:12-25, Psalm 4:1-8, Prov 1: 20-23
The flood ends, the land dries, and God makes a new covenant. The sign of the rainbow is a promise “that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” In our narrative, God appears saddened by the tragic loss of life and wishes to restore again this beautiful creation. And then our humanity shines through to drunkenness, nakedness, and blame.
Love how our Psalm and Proverbs today are both following the theme, “How Long O Lord.” We are given permission to be honest and share our moments where we cry out, “How Long.”
In Matthew, Jesus’ ministry begins with these words, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” In Jesus presence is the kingdom of heaven. And what is repent? Instead of this being a negative about discipline, I like to think of this as turning towards God. To turn to God is something beautiful. Or this can be understood, as to turn towards Jesus. And this is just what the first disciples did when Jesus called. They immediately dropped what they were doing to turn and follow Jesus.
I encourage all of us to drop everything else for a few moments each day to turn towards Jesus in reading our story together. For the kingdom of heaven is near.
Shalom,
Pastor Rob