"The Son Whose Years Will Never End"

9 Mac 09

Monday of the Second Week in Lent

The Son Whose Years Will Never End

Hebrews 1:8-12

The plot of many a story, play, movie or opera involves a confusing or switching of identities. One thinks of Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities or Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper.

With Jesus, however, there can be no confusion of identities. He is no angel or a mere page-boy in God's heavenly court. Rather, Jesus is the Son of God, who sits on the very throne of God, where He is served by the angels. His throne was established at the beginning and will last forever. Through Jesus' everlasing rule, God will carry out His loving plan for the world, and will defeat those who oppose Him. Through Jesus, God's righ way of being will be made known to all people. Such is not the work of angels!

But the story of Jesus does have a unique twist. Like Prince Edward in Twain's The Prince and the Pauper, Jesus leaves His throne and dwells among the people, experiencing the worst that they have to offer, including the Cross. But His death was also part of God's saving plan for humanity, established from the beginning. With eyes of faith, we recognise that the Cross is not merely an instrument of execution, but in reality a throne.

During Lent and Holy Week we contemplate ther wonder and mystery of the Cross, where a King becomes a servant for our sake. We recall that in baptism we are united with Him in His death so that we may also share in His resurrection.

(Dr Jeffery A Truscott,

Chaplain and Lecturer in Liturgy and Worship,

Trinity Theological College)

Commitment:

I surrender my identity to Jesus, that I may know myself in the light of His glory and grace.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, whose throne is forever and ever, establish your rule in our hearts, that we may serve You in righteousness all our days; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God. Amen.