ADVENT BLOG Named by God - ADVOCATE

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you so that you will not sin, we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”

(1 John 2:1)

“I’ve had an ample sufficiency”.  I love that phrase.  The word “ample” on its own suggests that we’ve had more than enough - when we have gone for the dessert that we perhaps should not have had and has pushed us over the edge!  An “ample sufficiency” portrays something quite different.  This quaint, perhaps old fashioned term is one that we might have heard our granny say or even a great-auntie.  It is almost paradoxical but, it is a gentle reminder not to allow our eyes to be bigger than our bellies and know when enough is enough.  It conjures up in my mind of getting the balance right when it comes to anything in life.

What our granny might have said to us can help give some insight when it comes to the many other needs in our lives especially when, in our need, we turn to Christ himself.  In relation to our turning to Christ and receiving spiritual substance from him, is it a hunger and a burst?  This particular verse in 1 John says something about the sufficiency of Christ.  He is able to give us exactly what we need (not what we want) at any particular time and in any situation we might find ourselves in - not too much and not too little just that ample sufficiency.  Whether it is circumstances around us outside of our own control or even within us, he is there with us to guide us through as he talks to reassure us and speak, as we thought of yesterday, to our Father in heaven.  He is the “advocate” who will put the case forward on our behalf.

Christ speaks to us and for us us as he also leads us into the very presence of God that we might know healing and strength, forgiveness and renewal and, so much more as the treasure store of heaven is opened up before our eyes of faith allowing the peace of God to settle on us and within us.  In our Reformed tradition we believe that at Communion the bread and wine do not change but, because we are lifted heavenwards into the very presence of God, we are the ones who should be changed as we are ushered into that eternal presence where everlasting arms are open to receive us in love.

Do you have a longing that could be described as a spiritual hunger?  What is it and what does it mean to say that Christ is that “ample sufficiency”?

O Jesus, joy of loving hearts,

thou fount of life, thou light of all,

from fullest bliss that earth imparts

we turn unfilled to thee again.

 

Our restless spirits yearn for thee,

where'er our changeful lot is cast,

glad that thy gracious smile we see,

blest that our faith can hold thee fast.

AMEN