Crosspoint

(Hosea 2:1 TNIV)

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There is so much depth, so much power in that simple sentence I don't know where to begin. It's got Jesus written all over it. Do you see it?

Chapter one sets it up. Because of the sins of their mother the children were born disowned (Lo Ammi) and unloved (Lo Ruhamah). Hosea had been forced to pronounce judgment on them. They had no hope.

But Hosea had another son. Technically it was his one and only son. He gave him a name that to the world was horrifying, it was abhorrent. But then he changed the meaning of the name. He made it great.

Now this is the beginning of a new chapter. Hosea is sending Jezreel out to his brother and sister. He is giving his son the ministry of reconciliation. Say to your brother "He is mine." Say to your sister, "She is loved."

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I've been thinking and searching and thinking and searching for another analogy, another illustration that could demonstrate what God has done, what Hosea is foreshadowing here. There is none. Now don't get me wrong, there's plenty of stories and illustrations of renewed relationships, of restoration. But none of those analogies come close to the impact, the effect, of what God has done. To use them would be to cheapen the power of the real story.

Just think about it. Because of my sin, and the sin of my mother (Eve), I've been disowned and am incapable of true love. The Father has pronounced judgment on me. I have no hope.

But the Father had another Son. Technically it is His One and Only Son. He gave him a task that to the world was horrifying, it was abhorrent. But then He changed the meaning of the cross. He made it great.

This is the beginning of a new covenant. The Father is sending Jesus out to you and me. He is giving His Son the ministry of reconciliation. Say to BJ, "You are mine." Say to him, "You are loved."