December 17
Kimberley Morrison, Minister of City Engagement
Siege warfare is a form of constant, low-intensity conflict, an enemy surrounds a town isolating it from essential supplies with the aim of compelling surrender. During this season of COVID-19 have you ever felt under siege? One of the purposes of siege warfare is to strike dread — a state of chronic and interminable anxiety.
Almost three thousand years ago the people of Israel were also under siege — by the Assyrians. God sent word through his prophet Micah of an ancient and returning King who would be ruler in Israel. This King would “come forth for God” from Bethlehem — a little village of a few hundred farmers and shepherds. How absurd — a King coming forth to represent God with such a lowly herding heritage! But oh, this king is a shepherd King. As shepherds do, he comes to be with his besieged sheep – guiding, guarding and grazing them. As a ruler from the heavens he arrives in the strength of the Lord and in the majesty of his name!
The people of Israel waited about eight hundred years for Micah’s prophesy to be fulfilled. Jesus of Nazareth our glorious shepherd King joined our besieged tribe — the human race. Bruised and bloodied, through death, Jesus conquered our enemies of sin, death and hell. He rose victorious over the grave and returned to his Father in heaven. Through his death Jesus made peace between God and all those who would believe in his name — so that one day the dwelling place of God could be with humankind.
And so, again we wait, longing for the return of the King and our days of siege to be complete. But as we wait, we need not dread. The enemies of our soul are slain. We dwell secure, for Jesus has become our peace.