Imagine someone who grew up in our congregation comes into church, reads an Old Testament prophecy, then makes the claim that he or she is the fulfilment of that prophecy. How might we react? What would you feel or think? Because we know the rest of the story, we tend to shake our heads at his community’s response.
Now imagine what it might mean to hear these words of promise if there was no one on your side, if you felt as if something or someone held you captive, or if you held a position on an issue that was unpopular. What impact might that have on you?
In prayer, thank Jesus for these words of hope and promise.