God’s Story Is Our Story: From Genesis To JesusSample

Reflecting on the last week: In this remarkable vision, the nations gather to experience the blessings which come from knowing God and living in relationship with him. As we read through Ezra-Nehemiah, we find Israel fighting to be faithful, but simultaneously losing sight of God’s mission: blessing the nations. On the one hand, they are understandably vigorous about protecting their unique language, culture, and lineage (it was near extinction). If the line of God’s Messiah disappeared then the world would be without hope. On the other hand, their zeal for protecting their near-extinct culture devolves into nationalism. When the nations come to Jerusalem, as Zechariah predicts, the Israelites expel them (Ezra 4:2-3). In Jesus, we see how Zechariah’s prophecy finds fulfillment. We ourselves are reminded that while God calls us to holiness, it is never for our own sake. It is never so that we become a cloistered community. We are called to holiness to attract people to the holy God. We are called to holiness so that when people see the beauty of our lives they say, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” How can you pursue holiness at work, at home, or with family in a way that makes people see and long for God?