For Samaria’s plague is incurable; it has spread to Judah. It has reached the very gate of my people, even to Jerusalem itself. – Micah 1:9

Today’s Scripture Reading (December 26, 2016): Micah 1

Tennessee Williams once said that “Hell is yourself and the only redemption is when a person puts himself aside to feel deeply for another person.” Redemption is never available when we close ourselves off from “the other.” Redemption demands community. There is no other way.

And this was part of the sin of Samaria. Yes, Samaria had rejected God. But the essence of that rejection was found in the rejection of the God ordained community with Judah. Yet, Samaria could still be redeemed. But the nature of that redemption would have to come from Judah and Jerusalem herself. Except that Judah, and Jerusalem, had been infected by the same plague as their extended relatives in Samaria. Judah rejected anything that had to do with Samaria. Somehow missed in the whole discussion was the fact that the Davidic Kingdom that Judah longed for was a united kingdom – it was a community that consisted of both Judah and Israel. It was twelve tribes – not a divided nation of ten and two operating separately.

Ultimately, the imagery in this passage is of the end result of the plague. Israel (Samaria) would die at the hands of Sennacherib and the Assyrian Empire. And after the demise of Samaria, Sennacherib would come to the very gates of Jerusalem. Of course, Jerusalem would miraculously survive the siege of Assyria, but Micah seemed to suspect that there would be another who would arrive to finish the job – because after Assyria would come Babylon. And the reign of Judah would come to an end that would be eerily similar to that of Samaria. Redemption would be missed by all of the descendants of Jacob.

At least it would be lost until the day of the Messiah. This idea of community and redemption is a major part of our Christmas story. It is found in the words of the angels to some lonely shepherds keeping watch over their flocks at night.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12). This is a message for all the people. Underscore the word “all.” The Messiah would be born in the city of David (a reminder of the complete community of the Davidic Kingdom) but would extend far beyond that kingdom. This is a message for the human community – a message of complete redemption.

But that redemption could only begin with a focus that was shifted off of self and toward the other – in this case, a baby born in the extreme poverty of a manger. The child would grow up to give us another command.  A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:34-35). By this loving of the other, you will find your redemption. Because redemption can only be found in community. There is no other way.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Micah 2