“Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”
-Isaiah 40:1-2

Would that I could speak tenderly to Jerusalem. I guess it takes a prophet — someone possessed of the big picture. That’s not me.
Here in the present, Jerusalem seems a long way from paying for her sins, much less receiving double for them from the Lord. Are we talking about the Jehovah that was so keen to expunge Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness? The God of Isaiah seems more forbearing and generous.

As I try to emulate God’s grace, there are moments when Jerusalem softens my heart — when I think of us more affectionately, as I would my grandchildren when they are tired and willful. You just want to hug them and tell them you know it’s been hard, that they’re having a bad day, but they are loved, and it will get better. Maybe instead of waiting for Jerusalem to pay for her transgressions, I could try, as Christ ultimately did, to go her bail…and fulfill prophecy.

Lord, calm my agitated spirit and lift my sight toward the vision of your kingdom on Earth. Amen.
-Michael Boss