New beginnings
by Pastor Mark Lieschke
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‘For I am God, and not man – the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath’ (Hosea 11:9).
Jesus told the story of a wayward son who had arrogantly left his father’s house and wandered his own way. Finally, he realised how far he had gone and decided to return as a slave. Yet, his father stood with open arms ready to accept him again as a son. He gave his son a new beginning.
It was not a new story. It had been played out nearly 800 years earlier in the book of Hosea. The message of Hosea and the parable of the Waiting Father (Luke 15:11–32) is that God loves humanity so much that he has committed himself to us totally and beyond all expectations.
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life’ (John 3:16). That is the extent of his love.
In God, the Father for his Old Testament people, and for Jesus Christ with us, there are new beginnings. While we deserve nothing from him, and ought to be punished by him, our Lord has and continues to come to us in love and grace. He refuses to let his people go, even though we abandoned him.
Just like Hosea went to extreme lengths to call his adulterous wife back to him, so God in Christ has called, and continues to call, his disobedient and rebellious children back to him.
This is a message of love that will go to any lengths to bring reconciliation and restoration – so that we can have a new beginning every day.
It is also a message of hope to those who have given up because of what they have done or what has happened to them. This is a message that there are no such things as hopeless cases with God. All are special to him, and he sees all as being precious to him.
The good news for Israel was that they were given many new beginnings. The good news for us is the same. That goes beyond the boundaries of our human thinking. But then God is not a human being; he is the Holy One among us.
Loving Lord Jesus Christ, we come humbly into your presence – not deserving anything from you – but receiving all we need to have peace, joy and hope. Give us a new start every day, free from any fear of your judgement, and confident in your mercy. In your name, we pray. Amen.
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