Images of investors in the United States have not always been positive. Our history contains robber barons to modern patent trolls. Investment is thought of as a selfish act, speculation in order to make a profit like a Ferengi following the Rules of Acquisition. Jesus worked counter-culturally in his investment.

Jesus Invested in our Community not for his own glory, but to return a holy people to God (Ephesians 5:25-27). Jesus ministered to all, healing the sick, casting out demons, proclaiming the Kingdom of God (Luke 4:18-19; 7:22), fulfilling the Law (Matthew 5:17), giving up his life all for all, and rising from the dead (John 10:17-18). For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). He brought light and life to the community we call earth, transformation without gentrification. Theologically this is the Atonement.

The movement from the proclamation of the immigration of God to the investment of Jesus mirrors the movement from Christmas to Epiphany (which means “to show, make known, or reveal”). First, we tell of God’s arrival, and then expound on what he did once he got here, Jesus’ investment in our community.

Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Luke 7:22

photo credit: Park Place Philip Taylor PT via photopin cc