Scripture Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah 2.2- 4ReflectionThis vision of a peaceful future, where peoples and nations will live together in peaceful coexistence and where even training for warfare is abolished and weapons are turned into farming implements, feels very far away at this precise moment. As we look back into history, we can see that many periods in the past were also marked by great uncertainty or worse. Even though we might not feel it, statistically the world has actually become a safer and more peaceful place.But Isaiah’s vision is not only for peace, but also for a time when people will turn to God, eager to learn the right peaceful ways to live from Him and to ‘walk in his paths.’As this week marks the start of Advent, the time when we are waiting; waiting for the birth of the Saviour, Jesus Christ, waiting for new life and new hope to be born in our hearts and in our world, maybe this vision of peace can give us sustenance. Revd Ylva
Scripture:There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’ One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’ (Luke 23:38-43)Reflection:This Sunday is the end of the church year; it is marked by the feast of “Christ the King”. Luke’s Gospel speaks of Jesus being crucified; of there being a sign on the cross saying, “the King”; and of one of the others saying, “remember me when you come into your kingdom”.It cost Jesus so much to show us this new kind of kingdom. It cost him his life. What is the cost you have to pay to enter this kingdom, this paradise? Nothing! Jesus freely gave his life for you; for your atonement – so you could be “at one” with God. As we mark the feast of Christ the King, recognise that in the Cross is shown the power of our King.Revd David
