(Audio)
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
This isn't how we would probably arrange things if we were to send a savior into the world. We'd use massive special effects all around him. Withdrawing on his part would not be possible. We would insist not only on his availability to those who are willing to seek him in hiddenness. We would prefer that he all but force himself on the world. In our minds this would make more clear the choice set before every man and woman.
The reason Jesus does not force himself on the world is precisely due to his mercy. He does not overwhelm us to the degree that we can't help but choose him. He invites. He calls. He draws. But he leaves us free to respond.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
This seems hugely inefficient to our modern sensibilities. It even seems a bit unfair. But we know that it is everything that it needs to be. No one is actually left without the opportunity to respond to grace. We are each given lights to varying degrees. We are each free to respond.
This was a night of vigil for the LORD,
as he led them out of the land of Egypt
Jesus is leading a new pilgrimage out from the spiritual Egypt of sin. But he won't force us to come. Sin was the force of compulsion and Pharaoh is no longer in charge.
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery (see Galatians 5:1).
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