Carved
It’s that time of year when pumpkins adorn front windows, door steps, and shop displays. Most often depicting a caricatured ghoulish face to shock and scare, they’re a ubiquitous sign of the season, whatever meaning is invested in them.
These pumpkins are first emptied, then carved, and finally displayed.
Those same steps mimic something far greater, truer, and more beautiful. Something that has been twisted and distorted, but the power of which cannot be eradicated. I want to tell you about that now, and invite you to remember and revel in it this season.
Emptied: Charles Wesley’s hymn ‘And Can It Be’ says that in coming to earth, Jesus ‘emptied himself of all but love’. He gave up the honour and glory and wonder of heaven to be amongst us. And as he did, Jesus continued to give himself away to those around him. Serving them, blessing them, healing them, teaching them, and offering them a new path to follow, one that leads to fullness of life.
While others are hollowing pumpkins this weekend, remember that Jesus emptied himself to be near you, and gives himself wholly away for your sake.
Carved: Though the pumpkin will soon decompose, carving is indicative of something more permanent. It’s an etching or marking intended to last, not written on sand to be washed over, but carved in material to last. In Isaiah chapter 49, it says about those who follow God, that He ‘…will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…’
While others are carving pumpkins this weekend, remember that God’s offer is to carve your name on the palm of his hand — such is his love for you, his desire to bear you on himself, to be in friendship with you now and forever. And that comes through the cross, where Jesus was carved and killed, so that we could be healed and given true life.
Displayed: For many, this season is a time to dabble in the darkness. For some reason, to put on display things of the underside that we normally steer clear of. Having earlier mentioned these ‘elemental spiritual forces’ and against a cosmic background, Colossians chapter 2 says that Jesus ‘…disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.’
While others put on display things of darkness and death, delight in the truth that Jesus has disarmed them, made a spectacle of their nonsense, and overcome them once and for all. Jesus has displayed his power, and invites you to take refuge in him so that those things have no power over you either.
So, while many empty, carve, and display pumpkins this weekend, remember and celebrate that Jesus emptied himself for you, offers to carve your name forever on his palm, and displays his power over all things of darkness.
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