One of my favorite books is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis. If you know the story (and you should read it!), one of the great moments in the book is when the children encounter the Beavers and they whisper something incredible to the children.
“They say Aslan is on the move- perhaps has already landed."
And now a very curious thing happened. None of the children knew who Aslan was any more than you do; but the moment the Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite different. Perhaps it has sometimes happened to you in a dream that someone says something which you don't understand but in the dream it feels as if it has some enormous meaning- either a terrifying one which turns the whole dream into a nightmare or else a lovely meaning too lovely to put into words, which makes the dream so beautiful that you remember it all your life and are always wishing you could get into that dream again. It was like that now. At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in its inside. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucy got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is the beginning of the holidays or the beginning of summer.”
“Aslan is on the move, perhaps has already landed.” That’s what leaped into my mind as I read the passage today.
This passage marks the birth of John the Baptist. There is some awesome stuff in this passage and I wish that we had several days to talk about it! There is rejoicing and celebrating, there is fear and wonder, but there is also anticipation as people ponder the work that God is doing. And don’t miss the presence of the Spirit. What a full passage!
Again, the big question is, “Why are we being told this stuff? Is it just a story? Or is there something important that we need to understand?”
As I said, there are several things that we could consider in this passage. However, two I think are critical. Luke includes this story to show us that God is still working and moving. Remember it’s been hundreds of years since the people have heard from the Lord, (a fulfilled prophecy from Amos 8:11. Can you imagine?). But that’s not to say that God gave up and walked away from the people. This passage, and the ones preceding it, show that God has been and still is at work. God is actively involved in this world and God is bringing about the fulfillment of the promise that He made to Abraham back in Genesis 12:1-3.
God hasn’t been gone on vacation! God hasn’t abandoned His people! God has been working and moving. But it’s more than that - God has always been and continues to work and move. Not just then, but even in our lives today.
But, more than anything, notice the response of the people to what God is doing. They are sharing in Elizabeth’s joy. They are filled with awe and the people are talking because there has been a famine of God’s Word for several hundred years. But now, God is on the move and people see that the Lord’s hand is with John (vs. 68).
That leaves me with two questions that are rolling around in my head this morning. First, are we being filled with awe and wonder because we are looking for and living in relationship with Christ?
Second, are people amazed at what we do and say, the things we say “no” to without passing judgement, or the ways in which we show courtesy to others. In short, do they take notice of how we live our lives because that see Christ reflected in our lives?
If we ever want to experience our faith to its fullest, we need to be reminded to pursue Christ and to constantly keep that thought before us. It’s not about an experience or an event but a constant pursuit of a relationship with Christ. We need to work at becoming aware of His presence and let that presence invade our lives, transform us, and then work through us out into the world.
Let the Lord be on the move in and through your life.
God bless you. Have a wonderful day and know that I am constantly praying for you.
Scott