O Zion,
You who bring good tidings,
Get up into the high mountain;
O Jerusalem,
You who bring good tidings,
Lift up your voice with strength,
Lift it up, be not afraid;
Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand,
And His arm shall rule for Him;
Behold, His reward is with Him,
And His work before Him.
He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young.
Isaiah 40:9-11
During this advent season, we are celebrating the arrival of the Prince of Peace, the baby Jesus, who grew to be our teacher, healer, and Savior.
He is the new Adam who physically entered into our pain and suffering, who did what the first Adam didn’t in resisting evil, living as the first humans should have – remaining loyal and faithful to the Father’s will under his care and protection. Had the first humans remained in covenant with Yahweh, the earth and animal kingdom would have been protected from the ravages of evil.
He is the teacher, who taught those who would listen the truth of who we are and what our life is about.
He is the healer who defeated the powers and principalities that ALL creation may have eternal life free from tyranny, sickness and death by allowing his enemies, his very own people, to crucify him, thus defeating the devil’s work.
He is the Savior who in defeating the darkness that binds all of us, restored the created order, who gave us a way back to the Father when we believe upon him, trust in him, and choose to follow him.
He did all this so that all mankind through the power of the Holy Spirit is able again to take their place as sons and daughters who will one day rule with him over the restored earth freed from all evil – the earth teaming with the life he created, all the creatures, great and small – where they, too, will enjoy peace and freedom from pain, suffering and the dark reign of Satanic forces that rule over them through us in abusive and barbaric ways.
The Prince of Peace came to earth to show us the way. He came to intervene out of love for ALL of his creation. His kingdom is here now, and it begins with you and with me! As ambassadors of this already-not yet reign, let us begin it now!
Let us emulate Jesus. Let us love one another instead of judge. Let us lay down our weapons and turn them into plow shares. Let us stop abusing the animal kingdom and relieve them of as much of their pain and suffering as we can now. Tell your church leaders it is time to teach their congregations Christ-like stewardship of our earth and the animals, and to create ministries that serve them. Let us begin redeeming them by changing our tyrannical relationship with them to one of peace, love, and mercy!
This is what we celebrate!
Thank you for reading and for sharing, we pray you are blessed by our post! This Advent season, may you find hope in Jesus – He is the answer to ALL that ails mankind and creation! ~Kathy
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Reblogged this on Jesus Vegans Community and commented:
I love this article by my new friend Kathy who writes so beautifully about how Jesus truly wants us to care for the animals.