The New Testament begings a dramatic new stage in God's plan

"On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever", Is 25:6 - 10a

By Yemti Harry Ndienla
The mountain dearest to the people of Israel was Mount Zion, the place upon which Jerusalem's Temple was built.The prophet Isaiah (preaching during a time of political upheaval) foresees a day when God will gather on Mount Zion all people of the world for a great banquet. Fine food, choice wine, good company - all are symbols of God's gift. This is one of the most inclusive passage of the Old Testament.The backdrop of the passage is the great cosmic conflict between good and evil. The Old Testament sets the stage for this and tells the story of the progressive deterioration of the world which had been so good when God created it. But God did not abandon the world. God promised one day to save it. God chose a people - Israel - and protected them from the tide of evil all around them, a tide that seemed to be rising, and certainly not receding.The New Testament begings a dramatic new stage in God's plan. The Messiah arrives. His task is not only to protect the Chosen People but to save the world. "God so loved the world that God sent his only Son to be our Savior."We look at this great cosmic struggle and learn something about our ministry as delegates of Christ. My ministry is to share in the work of Jesus, to redeem this world, to minister goodness. I am to share God's goodness and help move this whole world one step closer to the Kingdom. How am i doing?