I was reminded of the lyrics of this beautiful song by Michael Card today as I reflected on Hebrews 1:1-2.
“Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.” (Hebrews 1:1-2, NRSV)
The Final Word (Michael Card)
‘You and me we use so very many clumsy words.
The noise of what we often say is not worth being heard.
When the Father’s wisdom wanted to communicate His love,
He spoke it in one final perfect Word.
He spoke the incarnation, and then so was born a Son.
His final word was Jesus, He needed no other one.
Spoke flesh and blood so He could bleed and make a way Divine.
And so was born a baby who would die to make it mine.
And so the Father’s fondest thought became flesh and blood.
He spoke the living luminous word, at once His will was done.
And so the transformation that in man had been unheard,
Took place in God the Father as he spoke that final Word.
And so the Light became alive and manna became Man.
Eternity stepped into time so we could understand.’
God has shown us what He is like, fully and finally, in Christ. Whatever questions we have of God, (about suffering, pain, loss, faith, trust, sovereignty and so many other things), He has come to us in Christ.
Is that enough for us, or do we demand ‘more’? More explanation, more immediacy, more ‘relevance’. Perhaps we want God to fit our expectations more? Perhaps we demand that God satisfies our whims rather than our deep needs? Is it possible that our demands are wrong? Could it be that God in God’s very self, is enough yet we want more, (which is actually less), than God gives?
Perhaps this deep seated desire in us is what causes sin in our first ancestors, the building of Babel’s tower, the creation of a golden calf, and so many other expressions of replacing the One True God with an idol or a cracked replica of ourselves.
God has broken the silence and reached out to us. God has chosen to show us all we need to know about God’s character, compassion and commitment. If that is not enough for us, perhaps it is we that need to change our expectations rather than God?
(C) Malcolm J. Duncan (Advent 2019)
Malcolm Duncan 