The Scarlet Letter
By: Nathaniel Hawthorne Modernised and edited by Jim McGuiggan (2004)
By: Nathaniel Hawthorne Modernised and edited by Jim McGuiggan (2004)
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Ten times Pharaoh said "no!" to Israel but when God finally said "yes!" Pharaoh and his hordes melted. The Red Sea said "no" but God tore its jaws apart and shouted "yes!" down its throat and the Red Sea became obedient. The wilderness said a long and withering "no!" to Israel but God said a longer more powerful "yes!" and the wilderness became the road home. Assyrian hordes said "no" to caged-up Israel’s plea and God said a devastating "yes" over the bodies of 185,000 dead. Israel said "no" and God said a humbling and chastising "yes" as Israel went off into exile. Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome said "no" to God’s people but God said a fragmenting "yes" and scattered the ruins of these kingdoms across half the earth. Pilate and the Jewish nation said "no" to Jesus but God said a redeeming "yes". A whole creation spoke its "no" to God and at God’s powerful "yes" Christ’s tomb opened and a new creation began.
And so it is, the world speaking its scornful "no" to a feeble, vulnerable, self-despising, self-doubting church and God saying his gracious "yes". And as she moves toward glory the old, worn-out world passes away.
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ." 2 Corinthians 1:20
When you can’t believe your eyes because they see the world’s "no," when your poor heart is overwhelmed by humanity’s fearfully wicked "no," and when the very air you breathe seems to snarl "no," look at Christ. Go on, sit down for a while and as best you’re able, think only of him and the gospel about him. Listen, listen! hear him say "Yes!"
