Monday, December 2, 2024
Advent
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” Luke 2:15
Advent is the time of year when we consider the first appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth. The birth of Jesus at which point God took on flesh. This year we will consider that the one who is King was the one born king of the Jews is indeed the one who will come again as King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He is the promised Messiah. Elliot’s hymn from 1864 put it this way: “Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown, When Thou camest to earth for me; But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room For Thy holy nativity. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee.” Let’s step into Advent together with a prayer. Feel free to add to this as your heart leads. Pray it throughout the advent season.
Lord Jesus, this year as I remember your appearing may I remember in a way that truly impacts my life. Help me make plenty of room in my heart and life for you. May I learn in new ways what it means to have you as the King of my heart and all my life. May the hustle and bustle that fills so much of life not keep me from moments with you in your word and in prayer. May I truly be a light to those who are living in darkness. May my life be a reflection of your life to each person I meet. Grant me patience and kindness so that people may see the hope, love, peace, and joy that you have brought into my life. Amen.
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
King
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2
Please read and/or listen to Matthew 2 today. During the advent season this year we will be considering what it means that Jesus has come as the promised King. We will consider that he was promised, awaited, prepared and that he did indeed arrive, albeit not as expected. The expected King comes in the most unexpected way. Yet, as we look into the promises and fulfillments within the Old Testament, we will see they actually make clear his first appearing and why it needed to be as it was. The King of the Jews was born and placed in a manger at the exact moment, in the exact place, and in the exact way that God had determined before one stone was placed on another in the creation of the world. The heavens declare the wonder of the Lord and a star rose to celebrate his birth. The shepherd King comes to earth and the shepherds are the first to be told. The King has come to be the sacrifice needed and those who cared for the lambs that were to be slain were those who came to see. The King of the Jews would be the King of the world and so the wise men came from the east to worship him. It has been said that wise men still seek him. Would you seek the one who has been born king of the Jews? Is your heart ready to fully worship him? Come and worship, come and worship. Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Messiah
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1
Please read and/or listen to Matthew 1 today. The first verse tells us this is the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David. Within that phrase there is much meaning. Christ is a title derived from the Greek word christos, which translates the Hebrew term meshiah (Messiah), meaning “the anointed one.” It is used so often in the New Testament that it has come to be part of the name of Jesus, but it is important to know and understand that it is much more. It is the title he alone carries and the promised one who is the anointed one of God—the Messiah. The unfolding of the redemptive plan of God revealed in the metanarrative of scripture allows us to see the incredible importance of the Messiah. As the plan of God is revealed it can be seen that the Messiah was indeed to be the king of the Jews and yet, he was also to be the hope of the nations in that through his sacrifice salvation would be found. It is now clear that the Messiah was to have two advents (appearances). The first in humility and peace (Zechariah 9), the second as conquering King (Zechariah 14). Jesus came as Son of God and Son of man. He is the Son of the Father and he is the son of David. He is the one anointed to sit on the eternal throne in the line of David as the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. And he is the one who is anointed to be the lamb who was slain for our sins. He is the promised one—the Christ. Jesus Messiah.
Thursday, December 5, 2024
David
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David Luke 1:68-69
Please read and/or listen to Luke 1:67-80 today. It is here that we read the prophetic word that was given to Zechariah following his time of muteness. Within the prophecy of what his son will do is the prophecy of the coming of the Savior King. In his prophecy, he calls people to remember the prophecies spoken before him—those contained within the Old Testament. Specifically, he calls us to remember the Davidic covenant. The promise God made to David concerning his throne and his kingly heirs. This covenant and David’s response can be found in 2 Samuel 7. 2 Samuel 7:16 is the promise of the eternal throne for David’s heir. That promise is fulfilled in Jesus. He is the promised king to come into the world. The Jews had been waiting for this king to come. They knew the promises and they waited for the king to come. But this king comes in an unexpected way. He come in a scandalous way—born to an unwed virgin in humility and obscurity. In some ways, David was the same. He was not seen as king material either. Yet, God chose his line to be the line through which the Messiah would come. Take some time today to ponder the fulfillment of the prophecies surrounding the birth of Jesus—whichever ones you may know. Think about the truth that God had this all planned and that scripture is an unfolding of his loving plan to bring salvation to the world.
Friday, December 6, 2024
Bethlehem
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David. Luke 2:4
O little town of Bethlehem. We sing the song each Christmas, perhaps without thinking of the great significance of this very ancient town in the plan of God. Rachel was buried on the way to this city (Genesis 35:19) in the first mention of the city in scripture. Boaz, the great grandfather of David was the kinsman redeemer for Ruth and received a special blessing in that town (Ruth 4:11). Bethlehem was the birthplace of a king. Samuel anointed David at God’s leading (1 Samuel 16:1-13). And so, from that town it was prophesied that there would come a king—the King. Caesar issued a decree that would send Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem so that the King could be born in the city to fulfill the prophecy. A king was born in the city of David. An heir of David who would sit on the throne as promised forever. Jesus the Messiah is the promised King and his birth in Bethlehem is significant. God’s plan is unfolding, and it is clear to see that he is revealing his redemptive plan for his people. Take some time today to consider God’s intentional plan and revelation in the sending of the humble King. Praise him for his faithfulness.
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Shepherd
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11
Please read and/or listen to Psalm 23 today. The Jews would have been very familiar with what Jesus was saying when he declared himself to be the good shepherd. They knew what God had to say about shepherds who were not caring for his people (see Ezekiel 34). God was the shepherd of the nation of Israel. It was he who cared for them and it was he who was their King—even though they rejected him (1 Sa 8:7). Shepherd, when used in the way Jesus is using it, is synonymous with king. Jacob, as he came near the end of his life, stated clearly that God had been his shepherd all his life (Ge 48:15). When Jesus said that he was the good shepherd, he was stating that he was God and the King of the Jews. David was the perfect choice to be the shepherd king of Israel. Psalm 78:72 states about David that “With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.” It was David who knew the Lord as his shepherd as his father Jacob did. Jesus is the eternal fulfillment of the promise of the Shepherd King who will sit on the throne forever. Take some time today to read over Psalm 23 and let it wash over you as you consider Jesus as not just your shepherd, but your Shepherd King. Consider the careful care that he brings to his own. Then ask him to show you how you can help others know this amazing truth. So many need to know that God does indeed care about them. He longs for them to be cared for by him.
Pray your advent prayer again as you prepare your heart for tomorrow.
We will be lighting the hope candle and considering that the king was awaited—with hope!