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Jesus, The Son (part 1) – North Star 2.3 (Hebrews 1:2) November 12, 2007

Posted by dan snyder in Bible: New Testament, NorthStar 2.0 (Heb 1).
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“And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. ” (Hebrews 1:2, NLT)

That God’s mode of salvation, restoration and healing is speaking with His lovely/powerfilled voice is astounding enough. That He doesn’t use mechanical tools or even good listening skills so we can talk things out, that He speaks gently, lovingly, powerfully with intention into those derelict places of our lives and souls, ought give us great hope and comfort.

But, even more, He speaks to us by a Son – His only Son. This Son is a person, so the Voice becomes personal. It takes on flesh and lives before our eyes and imaginations. Not just words on a page that embalm God’s speech, but a living, perfect being.

And as a Son, Jesus has a vested interest in the salvation of Creation. Everything is promised to Him, it will be (or is) His. Also, He created it all – the universe, and you and me. Therefore there is a deep sense of ownership and desire to treat it as precious. He won’t ‘hit the rock when He speaks’ like Moses did, or get frustrated and give up for a season like Jeremiah. He sees the end and will see the saving work through to that end.

North Star 1.5 – Genesis 1:4 November 6, 2007

Posted by dan snyder in Bible - Meditation, Bible: Old Testament, NorthStar 1.0 (Gen 1).
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Light is separated from the darkness. The darkness existed prior to light. It was over the face of the deep mingling with formlessness and void of pre-voiced creation. Darkness was a dominant pre-Creation feature. It was not bringing God pleasure. It had ‘cloaking’ qualities that would hide God’s Creation from view. It was dominant to the point that it could not be pushed back or overcome.

Only the voice of God creating a counterpart could conquer darkness. God creates light. And then separates it from darkness. He sets it apart for a God-determined purpose. And, now in its separated condition it fulfills God’s idea. Its holy function now makes a holy opportunity for darkness. By separating light from darkness, darkness can serve a purpose and be given a name – an identity.

Jesus calls us out to be holy – to serve a clear, unique, God-determined purpose. When we do this purpose we make opportunity for others to serve their unique purpose. All Creation is awaiting, even depending upon, our being set-apart for holy service. Jesus separates us – calls us out.

[see entry – Prayer Poem: O Greatest King (a servant’s prayer) category:art]

North Star 1.6 – Genesis 1:5 November 2, 2007

Posted by dan snyder in Bible - Meditation, Bible: Old Testament, Jesus Christ, NorthStar 1.0 (Gen 1).
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God names the light and the darkness. Naming conveys honor and instills value. Day and Night now have a place of honor in the story – God’s meta-narrative. They are declared “intended”. Without names they may go unnoticed. Or, at least, we would wonder if God knows, sees, and intends what is now known and seen by all of us (light and dark are hard to miss). but when god names them He gives them their place in the story.

Naming also establishes God’s place. He is the generative character behind all that He names. He is keeper of what He names. He is above all that He names. He is the idea, the dreamer, behind names.

Most of us were not named by God at birth. Attached to my name is a story (and perhaps the stories of those who share my name). But God will change my name – give me a new name (Rev. 2:17), a name that conveys a new relationship, a new intention, a new place in the story.

Notice the priority in verses 3-5: God creates, God delights, God sets apart, God names. In Jesus each of these actions can be real to us each day. But only naming is expected to be permanent and stable. God will find new voids in which to create, new things to declare his delight over, new tasks to which we will be set apart.

But we are named once. May we listen and live into this name.