The Journey

“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely.” Hosea 14:4

How is your sacred journey to Easter progressing? We are journeying up to Jerusalem to see Jesus. We want to see again, and with new eyes, the most astounding depiction of God’s mercy as we gaze upon our Savior lifted high on a bloody Roman crucifixion cross.

More than seven centuries before the time of Christ the northern kingdom of Israel struggled against the Assyrian empire’s ambition to overthrow them. Israel knew the God of the universe who protected His people but in their battle strategy and political maneuvering they turned to others for help and even trusted in false gods. Their unfaithfulness came at a price but God never abandoned them but kept longing for them to return. Hosea was the prophet who was used by God to call them home and awaken them to their true rebellious predicament. His message called for repentance and his life and marriage to Gomer acted as an audio visual of the unfaithfulness of Israel and God’s longsuffering. Gomer strayed into unfaithfulness but Hosea did not divorce her but rather wooed her back. By word and deed the prophet proclaimed God’s mercy.

Just as God promised to heal Israel’s faithlessness (Hosea 14:4), He is willing to restore our relationship when we have broken it with our sin. During this season of self-denial and fasting, of more intense prayer and more intentional acts of mercy, we strive to be transformed. Firstly, we desire to see if there is any sin that might hinder our relationship with God. Like Hosea’s wife, we may feel we have committed sins that are unforgiveable. Yet no one is beyond the power of God’s healing hope: nothing can stop God loving us. You know, our salvation stories are more like that of the Good Samaritan (God) who sees us fallen by the wayside bleeding to death and rushes to our rescue cry. God is not repulsed by sin. He has the power to overcome sin. Let’s pray for a new understanding and appreciation of God’s mercy this Easter.