Creation & Glory

Notes from a sermon preached at St Mary Abbots 30.12.07

Based around Isaiah 35 1-8

Read the passage

What has come to pass in Bethlehem.

The wilderness has been transformed into a green carpet.

The glory of the Lord ins manifested.

Creation is restored: healing is offered; the glory of the Lord is revealed.

Fear evaporates: we have a new strength; the glory of the Lord is revealed.

Herod and the Holy Innocents 301207

Summary of sermon preached at St Mary Abbots, 311207

Herod and the Holy Innocents.

Historicity of this story?
v
Meaning of this story?

Matthew- the centrel theme of this Gospel is Old Testamant fulfillment.

Birth of Jesus - as a result of Old Testament expectation...but the fulfillment of that expectation has only just begun.

Herod- (anger/jealousy) evil of the world in contrast to the love of God

Angel - gives the story God's stamp of authority.

Parallel between Exodus 1.15-2.10
escape from the machinations of the wicked King by flight into Egypt v rescue from the machinations of wicked Pharaoh in Egypt (R Brown. Birth of the Messiah)

Introduce concept of Jesus as the New Moses.

Offering us a New Exodus.

All suffering will be transformed through the death and resurrection of the New Moses.

There is now a clear pathway out of exile to freedom.