For most of the Old Testament, God was known and addressed as ‘Lord’. The Lord of Creation. The Lord of History. The One Lord God of Israel. He evoked images of power and majesty. With mighty deeds, He saves His people Israel. He is judge, king, and master of life and death. Israel felt safe and secure under the protection of such a mighty Lord.
Jesus taught us a totally different image of God. He declared that God is our Father. I can still feel safe and secure under His protection. With mighty and wonderful deeds, He is master over my life. But I can also feel the warmth of His fatherly love and His fatherly embrace. I do not tremble in His presence. I feel comfort, peace and the assurance of the fullness of life.
And Jesus never misses an opportunity to tell us of his intimate relationship I have with God. Someone from the crowd, obviously moved by the teachings of Jesus, shouts out, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” Jesus replies that someone who does the will of God has an even more intimate relationship with Him than a child to his mother. He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
In prayer, I seek to relish this intimate relationship with God.
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
~ Psalm 105
While Jesus was speaking,
a woman from the crowd called out and said to him,
“Blessed is the womb that carried you
and the breasts at which you nursed.”
He replied, “Rather, blessed are those
who hear the word of God and observe it.”
~ Luke 11:27-28
I love the reality of God as our Father, our perfect, all-loving parent. This has helped me through the tough times.
May His presence be always with you, C.J.Penn.