Bible Reading: Genesis 30-32, John 8: 1-30
Reel Thoughts:
I keep thinking about the story of Jacob, who's name literally means "heel" or "heel grabber" or "a cheater". And as I read his story over the past few days you could really see him living up to his name. From his stealing of his brother's birthright, to the stealing of his brother's blessing, to his other deceptive ways. Yet, along the way, though he lives up to his moniker, in today's reading he receives a new identity. God renames him Israel, which means "God wrestler" because he literally wrestled with God and survived.
It's a fitting transition for a man who for so long succumbed to the limitations of his previous identity, his life marred by what he seemed destined to become, until he started to view his life and himself differently. And it all began with a name. Speaking of which, the irony of the New Testament reading for today was all about how the people of Jesus' day couldn't fully grasp the enormity of his identity. Again, there's so much in a name.
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