Long-term Impacts

 2021 01 10         Mark 1 Matthew 3          Psalm 2               

 Mark openings saying it is the beginning of the story of Jesus. The same story is told in Matthew 3 and in both John baptizes Jesus, the Holy Spirit is evident, and God declares pleasure with who Jesus is. Every time I read through these passages; I notice the John’s call for repentance is well received by the people but not the religious leaders because they think they have it all right. We need to be reminded that the reason there is different factions is that they couldn’t agree on what was really important in a relationship with God.

 Psalm 2 reminds us that when the people devise a vain thing the nations are in an uproar. It ends telling us to worship the Lord with reverence and to keep us our eyes on the son so that we might be blessed.

 I am often reminded as I read the Abraham, Isaac and Jacob story that good and bad get passed down to the following generations. In Genesis 27-28 Isaac is growing old and preparing for the end of his life. There are several relationships we have to look at to understand what is happening. Remember that each of the parents have a favored son, Rebekah favors Jacob and Isaac Esau and they really plot against each other. Then there is the long-broken relationship between Esau and Jacob. Once again though we see the long-term consequences and pan of deception. While getting what they want there is the loss of the intimate relationship of being together. There is also the resentment that results in vengeance in a way that not only hurts them but generations to come.

 Each of todays readings remind me that when deception or lack of understanding are part of a relationship there is pain not only for those directly involved but generations to come.