A Humble Heart God is the source of life (Jeremiah 2:4-13). He brings his people out of bondage and promises to satisfy them with good things (Psalm 81:1, 10-16). The righteous respond to God’s grace by living generously, with humility and a steady heart. They demonstrate repose in the face of evil and have nothing to fear (Proverbs 25:6-7 and Psalm 112). Christian love is marked by hospitality, sexual fidelity, and generosity (Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16). Jesus teaches his disciples to emulate his humility by giving special honor to those who are weak and poor (Luke 14:1, 7-14).
Consuming Fire and Steadfast Love God often chooses the weak to proclaim his word (Jeremiah 1:4-10). He satisfies those who call out to him, acknowledges his faithfulness, and delight in his ways (Psalm 71:1-6 and Isaiah 58:9b-14). God is merciful and kind, slow to anger and steadfast in love (Psalm 103:1-8). His love and holiness inspire awe. His kingdom cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:18-29). Through Jesus God has demonstrated his desire to break chains of bondage and heal our infirmities (Luke 13:10-17).
This week many Christians will celebrate the role of Mary as the “God-bearer” or theotokos. Doctrinal beliefs concerning her nature and place within popular piety, vary greatly between Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Orthodox. However, all Christian traditions highly esteem her special place within the narrative of salvation history. The Council of Ephesus in 431 AD helped define Mary’s connection to the confession of Christ’s nature set forth in the Nicene Creed.
Fire of Judgment “The fire of judgment and the water of baptism were symbols of Jesus’ compelling call to ministry; they still are. What one enflames, the other can quench. Jesus forecasts a time of division when households will be divided. Within the household of faith, baptism is the sacrament that binds us together; whatever our differences, we are still one. As the body of Christ, obey what Christ teaches and be reconciled one to another.”
Forward in Faith Learn to do good and seek justice (Isaiah 1:1, 10-20). God calls the whole earth into account, so continue to seek God’s ways (Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23) and live in faith (Genesis 15:1-6). Those who seek God hope in him and wait for his salvation (Psalm 33:12-22). Like Abraham, we should trust God for the things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16), and look forward to when Jesus will return (Lk. 12:32-40).