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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We are reading in Luke chapter 1, where the angel Gabriel has appeared and spoken to Zechariah the priest, in the Temple in Jerusalem, when he was on duty, and the people realise that something unusual has happened.When GOD is truly at work, people are aware of it.They might wonder what it is all about - some know - some continue to wonder - some come to know and see - and some never do.
v 24Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth conceived and hid herself.Occasionally, GOD does hide what He is doing - for a season.He does not reveal everything at once, and He does not reveal everything to everyone.But He does what He says He will do. God is faithful to His word and to His promises.
That is how GOD began this new move - this new work in the world.That is how GOD spoke a fresh Word. It probably is not the way we would have considered beginning a new work - and then a virgin conceiving - and giving birth to a Son in the outhouse or courtyard of a one star hotel.Yes, let your mind jump forward and consider how God does things so very differently from the way we might have planned. And then, the River Jordan, with all that was involved there, and later, birthing and launching the Church in the Temple in Jerusalem by pouring out the Holy Spirit and having all the disciples praising GOD in languages they had never learned. These are certainly not the ways in which we would have chosen to do things, but that is how our Living God acted and moved and spoke.His moves are radical, revolutionary and challenging.
What could conceivably happen in our town and your town? Through the Word?
Through our witnessing?Through our carrying Jesus Christ?To be prepared to carry Jesus in your body, and to allow it to be seen?That is what Mary, the cousin of Elizabeth, was called to do.
Luke presents us with truths and facts which are radical, revolutionary and challenging. This Gospel is no nice soft sloppy sentimental story. We are about to read of misunderstanding and upheaval as God invades the world to rescue sinners.All of these words continue to surround the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we must never try to run away from these realities.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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