Bearing Fruit in Dark Times

Scripture: All of the priests and Levites were ceremonially clean, because they had purified themselves. They killed the Passover lamb for themselves, their priestly brothers, and all the exiles. The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles of the land in order to worship Yahweh, the God of Israel. Ezra 6:20-21

Observation: As the new temple is completed and Israel renews their ceremonies, three people groups are mentioned as joining into the Passover celebration. First are the priests and Levites, who have followed ceremonial procedures. Next are the Israelite exiles who have returned. Third is ... "all who separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles of the land in order to worship Yahweh."

This third group are not Israelites. And they are not Gentiles, for the are separate from the Gentiles. These are a new classification of people - converts. These are people who have joined with the Jews in now worshiping the God of Israel, and thus are part of the first celebratory events of the new temple. They are likely Persians and Chaldeans and Babylonians who were around the Jews during their exile, learned of God from the exiles, and thus when the exiles were released they either came with them or chose to come and worship God during this first celebration of the temple. They are not Jews ... but they are believers.

Application: As noted before, God was never JUST about the Israelites. They were the chosen people in order to address a specific scenario God has been working out in this world, culminating with Jesus. However, throughout the Old Testament, others believe in God, and now we specifically see the people who conquered the Jews being converted and committing to God by direct participation in Jewish celebrations and events.

In other words, the Jews - cast into the darkest of worlds by force, and by the authority of God's wrath against them - came out of that situation with proven fruit of their love and faith for God. They told of God's greatness while in their misery. They convinced others of God's power while they had been reduced to nothing. They moved the hearts and minds of their neighbors to worship, while they themselves lacked the capacity to worship as they wished.

This speaks into our dark time of pain. This informs our message today ... responding to terrible acts and senseless violence with a message of hope even when that hope isn't obvious.

Prayer: Lord, the terrible acts of the last 36 hours are a catalyst for conversation. Yes, the world appears to be abandoned by goodness. However, we know that the greatest hope in history is here now, in our midst. May we all, myself included, have the courage to tell others of your love, and of the hope found in Jesus, when they struggle with death and disaster. Amen.