set aside

Jesus was dedicated to God.
He was the firstborn son, and thus to be given to God.
Their offering was the offering of the poor.
Simeon declared Jesus the light of God for the Gentiles and Israel - everyone.
Anna, in Luke's Gospel designated a Prophet, regardless of her gender, prophesied about Jesus.
And they moved to Nazareth of Galilea.

Jesus was set aside to be the Lord of those "called out." (ekklesia - called out ones, community)
Set apart to be a part of the people of God.
Called to be a faithful leader at birth, according to the Law (from the beginning, according to John's Gospel).
Called to be a light of hope, joy and life to the Gentiles (and the people of Israel).
Called to be for the world that hope, that joy and life that empire was not.

Jesus was set aside, to be a part of God's Kingdom Come and God's Will being done.
Jesus was set aside, called apart to lead the whole community to God's Way in the face of empire.
Jesus was set aside, called apart to counter the oppressive, abusive victimization of God's people.
Jesus was set aside for the Gentiles as well as the people of Israel.
Jesus was set aside for the women as well as the men.
Jesus was set aside for all people and not just the elites of power and wealth.

The devout ones knew it from the beginning.
The disciples would come to know it.
Those occupied and oppressed by empire would come to know it.
They would respond to this gift of God, set apart to be a part of new hope and life in joy.

What about the devout ones now?  The disciples?  Those occupied and oppressed by empire now?
Will WE respond to this gift of God, set apart to be a part of new hope and life in joy?
Will WE acknowledge what Jesus means to the world and follow Jesus?
Will WE live what this set apart one taught, commanded and modeled in order to change the world?

What about US?
Will we set aside our devotion to wealth, power and status to embrace Agape Love and Grace?
Will we set aside our hatreds, fears, complacency and apathy to live what Jesus brought?
Will we be apart from empire so that we can be a part of the movement to heal its wounds?
Will we be the children of God, followers of Jesus and sisters and brothers to the oppressed?
Will we embrace the new hope, life and joy of Jesus in the face of the old hopelessness, destruction and despair of empire?

What about US?  Will we be the light for all people or more of the darkness that has oppressed them?

Pastor Jamie