Countdown: 23... Mugged by God

Abraham's grandson, Jacob, was a usurper and schemer. He secured that which was not naturally his and the promise God swore to his grandfather and father, Isaac, became his own.  It is all in his name: Jacob means 'the usurper'


In the midst of crisis, in fear of his life, Jacob meets with God; actually God mugs him.  This unusual act of violence leaves Jacob with a double gain - he gains a new name and a limp.


He has a change of name: Israel is his new name. The one who has struggled with God.  This name will become the name of the nation to whom and through whom God will make his promises to the whole of the earth.  The Israelites - the people who have striven with God.  Struggling with him, for him, against him.


Israel, the man, also gains a limp. Each step, every day, reminds him of his new name, his new identity - indeed of the night he was mugged by God.  The people after him remember the limp in the way they eat their food. Daily reminders of a new identity. A grounding of hope.  A passing on of blessing.


We look to Christmas - a yearly reminder that out of the people who have striven with God arose the Mighty King born in struggle and stressful circumstances. A child who was the Son of the God who made promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.


The very God who gave a new name and a new walk to Jacob in human flesh. The All Mighty God in frail human form.  He would walk, He would strive and He would be wounded to the point of death under the condemnation of us all. He, the Wounded Saviour, has walked out of death as the Healing Victor and reigns as the Living Lord.


Those of us who walk in Jesus' footsteps walk as those wounded in our pride - we know that we cannot effect our own rescue and only in facing Him in faith and trust can we walk at all. We walk with a limp as far as the world sees it.  This walk starts in the old Bethlehem (in frailty and new birth) and ends in the new Jerusalem (the end of all woundeds and the start of true wholeness).


As we walk from one year to the next we are reminded in the patterns of celebrations that we do not simply lurch from one party to the next.  Those of us who know Christ have met God and await the Coming of Christ Jesus, as Risen Judge and Saving King: limping, walking, running toward that day!