Kontakion

11So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision” —a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— 12remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. 15He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18for th...

Theme Verse: Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God…He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. - Isaiah 40:1; 11 Central Truth: Comfort is at the center of the universe. This is proven by Christ coming and living among us. God gave us comfort than and when Christ returns God will give us comfort. This is not about divine retribution. Connections with our society: Sometimes we forget how removed the history of the bible is from us. Its easy to read passages like this one from Isaiah and reduce the central theme of this scripture, "Comfort, O comfort," to a simple platitude that we mutter to each other when something bad happens. The common way we here this scripture passage today is "God works out all things for those who love the Lord," and the sad thing is that expression is scriptural as well.  Yet we reduce it to a pat on the back that mean little to nothin...