DJD411 - Trusting Father

Read More Daily Jesus

Scripture: 

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Starting Question:

How has Jesus' gift on the cross reconciled you with God? 
How has Jesus' resurrection given you hope?

Trusting Father

** Continued from Trusting God yesterday ** 

Abraham nodded ever so slightly. He moved the hand that rested on his son’s forehead, sliding it down to cover Isaac’s eyes. He may have to kill his son, but the boy didn’t need to see it happen. He tightened both hands—the knife in one, his son’s vision in the other. 

Abraham lifted the knife to his shoulder. Next he carved a slow arc in the air toward the chest of his son, stopping just before the tip of the blade touched his son’s skin. He repositioned the knife to where he knew his son’s beating heart lay just beneath the surface. He pulled the knife back to his shoulder and steeled himself for the real thing—the next arc of the knife would end his son’s life and please his God—their God. 

Every muscle in Abraham’s body went as taught as a trap ready to spring. Almost without intending to, Abraham thrust the knife toward his son’s chest. It was a hard, fast thrust—hard enough to accomplish the required task. Time seemed to stand still. Abraham saw the knife plunging toward his son, saw his other hand resting over his son’s eyes and felt the throbbing thud of his own heart beating in his chest. 

A voice ripped through the cosmos, stopping the knife mid-swing. “Abraham!” It was a loud, earth shattering voice. “Abraham!” the voice repeated. 

Every muscle in Abraham’s body released and relaxed. The hand holding the knife slipped to his side. The other hand slid off Isaac’s face. Abraham’s shoulders fell forward in exhaustion. All the tension flooded out of his body. Isaac looked up from the altar, his eyes wide. He, too, had heard the voice.

In a gentle quiet voice Abraham replied, as he always did, “Here I am.”

“Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the voice said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly honour God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

Reflection Question:

When we help people heal their relationships (reconcile), how are we following Jesus' cross-and-tomb example? How does Abraham's full commitment challenge us in our "task of reconciling people to God?"

Prayer time:

Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today?