Love Hope and Grace Amidst Violence

"Love, Hope, and Grace Amidst Violence"

"These violent delights have violent ends" - W. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

A God who would come to earth knowing the limitations of humanity, subjecting himself to become fully human while fully God (kenosis), and knowing that the shortcomings of humanity would profoundly harm then kill him...is surely something that boggles the mind. That kind of love is virtually incomprehensible.

And, yet, that is what we celebrate at Christmas and Easter: this profound Love. This Hope. This Amazing Grace.

I recently saw this image on my Instagram feed, and at first, it jarred my "Western" sensibilities. The image titled "an AMERICAN NATIVity" is a modernized block print of reinterpreted, traditional First Nations symbols (native peoples of today's Canada), but its contents highly Christian. The artwork by Kreg Yingst (@psalmprayers) depicts God the Father, Mary, and the Christ Child in a raw, visceral way. It is a reminder that Christ entered the world not in the oft-idealized "silent night," but through the strange beauty, violence, and gore of life-giving childbirth, which forever connects him to all life. 

And, Christ's life would end that way too: in violence, a birth into death...but, of course, we know that would not be THE end. (Hallelujah!)

Contemplating this truth puts his birth under yet another clarifying light: He came knowing the violence that would harm him and yet believed us worth rescuing. He subjected himself to the effects of our sin and sinful world, His creation maimed by our failures. Giving us hope was worth laying His life down.

Jesus tells us in Luke 6:  "Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (vv. 35–36). He loved his enemies, who we often forget was once you and me (Romans 5:8).

As Arthur Jackson writes in a commentary, "The challenging commands that Jesus gives in Luke 6:27–31 are clear: we’re to love, bless, and do good to others. [...]When followers of Jesus 'flip the script' on hate, abuse, and selfishness, they demonstrate their kinship to their heavenly Father whose care is shared without discrimination. Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:1–2 carry the same sentiment: 'Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.'"

Therefore, how much more as children of God ought we extend the grace that God extended and continues to extend to us at Christmas time and always? May God's grace in your life grow from manger to walking out to begin the work of healing this violent humankind.

This devotional is dedicated to the men, women, and children who face violence this Christmas. 

Lord, protect those who face violence and thwart Satan's false promises of revenge and the darkness of victimhood in favor of the light of your healing love, hope, and grace. May you guide us, his people, to help free your beloved like you have freed us, your beloved once-enemies.  In Jesus' name, Amen.