I once served a congregation whose church building’s foundation was badly cracked. Water, rodents and bugs all took advantage of the crack. The downward curved roofline showed evidence of a failing foundation.
Sometimes life feels like our foundation is crumbling. This day, Remembrance Day, is an annual reminder!
Zerubbabel is famous for completing the foundation of the temple-rebuilding project in 520 BCE. At the same time, God is engaged in another building project. Matthew 1:12-13 cites Zerubbabel as a direct descendent of King David and in the line of Jesus, the Messiah. The inclusion of Zerubbabel had a foundational impact on the genealogy of the Messiah and helped “seal the deal.” After all, signet rings have special authoritative markings that make an impact on soft wax to seal a letter.
The fulfillment of God’s promises in Jesus Christ forms a seal upon our hearts and gives us a foundation for a life of faith.
O God, seal the cracks in our lives with your grace and mercy. Fill us with your promises and remind us that we have been sealed and marked—that our baptism is a foundation for a life of faith that you continue to build upon. Amen. —