Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, speaks a better word. —Heb. 12.24Jesus is the new and better creation: light dividing darkness, heavens opened wide, deep answering deep, dead seeds sprung to life: the beast that feeds and shelters, the ground from which we're made— the fruitful rest of God. Jesus is the new and better Adam, in the garden sweating drops of blood, making blessed bread from the cursed ground. Jesus is the new and better Eve, bearing in sorrow children who rise to call her blessed, children who know the things that make for peace. Jesus is the better tree of paradise, giving not the knowledge of good and evil but the sweet and amorous nearness of God. Jesus is the better Cain, banished from the Presence to be the Presence for the exiled. Jesus is the better Abel, sacrificed, not sacrificing, his blood quietly renewing the face of the whole earth. Jesus is the better Noah, who does not save himself alone or his own but goes down with the wicked into the heart of the deepest depths. Jesus is the new Abraham, dwelling right in the very soul of Sodom so the Spirit does not forsake his city. Jesus is the new Sarah, who laughs at the times to come— the first to trust nothing is too hard for God. Jesus is the new Melchizedek, who offers himself as bread and wine and in that gift makes us God's blessing, God's breath. Jesus is the new Ishmael, the wildness of God in our midst, stretching out his hands in mercy over all who've lifted their heel against him. Jesus is the new Isaac, whose laughter binds us to his Father. Jesus is the better Judah, who declares us his betters in the face of our accusers. Jesus is the new Tamar, wooing us into her charms, arousing in us the secret of who we truly are. Jesus is the new Rebecca, the Spirit the new Eliezer: at Father’s command he brings her to comfort us in our grief. Jesus is the new Rachel, mourning with the children, refusing to be comforted, weeping for those who cannot weep, rejoicing in those who rejoice. Jesus is the new Leah, making us lovely with her beauty— a comeliness we do not desire. Jesus is the better Esau, tricking us into taking his birthright as our own. Jesus is the better Jacob, to wrestle with him is to beat God at God's own game. Jesus is the better Joseph, covering us in his seamless robe. Jesus is the new and better Miriam, whose dance sets the captives free drawing even the oppressors into her song. Jesus is the new Moses, journeying back down into bondage to save all who felt they could not follow, all who felt they had to stay. Jesus is the better Aaron, refusing to build for us the God we think we want. Jesus is the better Red Sea, body rent for our deliverance, depths drowning all that once enslaved us. Jesus is the new Rahab, the better hiding place, the host who shelters each and all alike in her rooms. Jesus is the new and better Sabbath, given that we might forget our works— for just a moment living life just as God loves to live it. Jesus is the new and better High Priest, who touching death is not defiled but sanctifies the dead. Jesus is the better atonement, the once-for-all end of sacrifice, making the giving and receiving of gifts possible at last. Jesus is the better scapegoat, driven out into the wilderness, bearing out our wrongs deep into the forgetfulness of God. Jesus is the new and better jubilee, freeing every captive, releasing every slave, sheltering every alien, forgiving every debt, restoring every loss, righting every wrong, welcoming the whole creation into God's limitless, unbounded joys. Jesus is the better Balaam, who blesses us with a word that shatters every curse. Jesus is the better Joshua, conquering the powers arrayed against us by making us lay down our swords. Jesus is the better Gideon, the most unlikely warrior, vanquishing the enemies of God alone by the spilling of his own blood. Jesus is the new Deborah, the faithful judge, and the church the new Barak, who goes to war just by coming to her. Jesus is the better Samson, and his bride the better Delilah: in his lap she finds her strength. Jesus is the better Jael, slaying our foes with the nails in her hands. Jesus is the better Jephthah, who honors God by offering his own body as the death of sacrifice. Jesus is the better Levite, giving himself for his beloved, his cursed body broken for her. Jesus is the new Jonathan, who befriends us in our troubles, and his Father the better Saul, always jealous for us. Jesus is the better David, whose song drives every evil spirit away.
🙌🏻😭😭 Jesus is the sweetest name I know. Hallelujah King Jesus.
This is really brilliant! I'm still so moved and processing. Every word is so rich ... thank you