It was a long way from the angel's song, the shepherd's awe, the wise men's visit, the Star's shine, and the manger's humility -- but The Unfolding moments were the culmination of the events that overshadowed the Birth. The Passover was near: preparations were in place, Glory was to come, the traitor had been treated as the guest of honor and had left into the night ... The inner circle was on the edge of the cliff, while the world was being prepared for the reception of the idea of "Crucify Him!"
"Therefore, when he (Judas) was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in Himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, yet in a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:31-35
Under these circumstances the "Little children" of the Kingdom were being prepared for their change, their royal robes, their new identity, and their place in the world: Jesus' Love extended to one another.
Christ Follower: Our ethnicity, our nationality is His Love... though We will live as strangers and pilgrims.
Lovers of Jesus: Our supernatural color is Love... O Rest in the difference of the Color of His Love.
Kids of the King: His banner over us is Love... Humbly but securely let Him fly it over us.
His Love should be what overwhelmingly adorns and defines us.
The problem is that we think that we thrive within our critical view of other's failures and suffering. Our exploitation of God-events in our lives should be for the sole purpose of drawing us closer to him, not as an advertised example of "this is what you get when you are right with God"(How does that work for a faithful servant who is suffering with a terminal disease?).
It may be a security issue: Are we secure enough in what His Love is doing for us, that we are not threatened by God blessing someone else. Are we sure enough of His leading, that the mandate to love others is not measured by what always appears to be bad timing and fumbled words: His Love will always reveal itself as -- "We will be the eternal interruption".
Psalm 133 --- His Love is the bond of Unity!
Merry 10th Day of Christmas!
HLFA,
Jeff