Was it a good year?
This week’s devotions based on Week 5 “He Shall Be Called: Jesus” (CLICK HERE!)
Today ends another year. In a few hours, 2024 will be relegated to history.
Was 2024 a good year for you (however, you want to define “good”)? Was 2024 a bad year for you (again, however you want to define “bad”). Was there something you hoped would happen in 2024 but never did? Are you hoping that event will happen in 2025?
We can all look back at periods of our life where we are waiting for something to happen.
Perhaps it’s wanting to be out of grade school, high school, or college? Maybe it’s waiting to find the man or woman of your dreams to marry. Maybe it’s landing the perfect job that fits your skills and your passion.
It can be hard to wait and hard to understand why something doesn’t happen in the timeframe you believe it should have.
Imagine if you were Adam…after 930 New Year’s Eves the one God promised to crush the head of the serpent never came. Imagine being Abraham and wondering for 175 New Year’s if the great nation he was promised had arrived? Imagine David, Solomon, the prophets of Isaiah, Jeremiah, or captives like Daniel or Nehemiah…wondering every time they flipped the calendar if this would be the year God would bring about the “consolation of Israel.” Finally a faithful believer named Simeon was given a promise that he would not die until he saw the fulfillment of the promised Messiah that had been given hundreds…thousands of years earlier.
To us it may seem like an eternity, but to God the passing of years is just a progression of his plan. The events of each year were not random acts of history, but putting all the pieces in place needed for the glorious event of Jesus, the Savior, being born for you and me and all people.
The Apostle Paul put it this way: Galatians 4:4-7 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
It was the set year, the set month, the set day, the set time that God had determined in eternity which he now played out in time.
Was it worth the wait? For sure!
For the moment that Jesus entered the world he went to work keeping the law of God perfectly (See Luke 2:21-40). He grew up. He went to the cross…for one purpose: To make you God’s child.
If you are one who trusts in Jesus as your Savior, God orchestrated a set time for that work of his Spirit to change your heart.
If God can work the events of time to bring you the promise of eternity, he will orchestrate the year ahead for your blessing and his glory. Close down 2024 today, but step confidently into 2025 tomorrow!
Apply: How has God worked in your life this past year? Do you see his hand guiding events for your blessing and his glory? How so?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of time, the gift of 2024. Forgive me for my failures to steward it always well. Give me perspective that you promise to work all for my good and grant me your blessings in 2025! AMEN.
Jesus…on a first name basis!
Today’s devotion is based on Week 5 of “He Shall Be Called: Jesus -He saves you! (WATCH HERE)
What’s in a name?
For the month of December we have been reflecting on the names that Isaiah gave to Jesus…Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace and Emmanuel. Each of these names carry tremendous meaning and significance as we consider the life and work of Jesus.
But might we consider these slightly different than his actual name? He was “called” these things because he embodied and carried out each of those things which Isaiah foretold.
But his NAME was “Jesus.”
The angel told Joseph: Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Eight days after his birth at his circumcision ceremony, Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had commanded and gave the boy born to Mary the NAME, Jesus.
Luke 2:21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
This was the way he would be known to his parents. Every time he would need to come in from playing outside to have dinner, “Jesus, it’s time to eat!” Every time it was time to call it a day and go to bed, “Jesus, it’s time for bed.” Every time it was time to wake up and begin the day, “Jesus, time to get up!” Every time Joseph needed a tool in his shop, “Jesus can you bring me the hammer.”
Sure he was called, “Teacher.” He was called, “Rabboni.” He was even called “Beelzebub.” But his NAME was Jesus.
It was a name that was divinely chosen for the specific purpose he came to this earth.
“To save his people from their sins.”
Every time the name “Jesus” was said by his parents, his friends, his disciples, and yes, even his enemies it was a confession, known or unknown, of what his purpose of being born was: to Save his people from their sins.
To be sure, he is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace and Emmanuel, but to Mary and Joseph he was Jesus. To us, he is Jesus.
The descriptors Isaiah is inspired to write are theologically rich, divinely true, and significant characteristics of the boy born in the manger of Bethlehem. But his name Jesus is significantly personal. He is one we know and he is one who knows us. We are on a first name basis. John 10:3 He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
Here is the deep, personal significance of knowing Jesus and being on a first name basis. Like a child who is in trouble calls out, “Mom!” or “Dad!” looking for help and to be delivered from a predicament, so we are invited to use the name of Jesus for the very purpose of calling out to him to be saved from the consequence of our sin, “Jesus! Save me.”
Here’s the glorious promise and power of the name of Jesus, prophesied by Joel, fulfilled by Jesus and proclaimed by Peter:
Acts 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Enjoy being a first name basis with Jesus. Enjoy your relationship with him and call on him often!
Apply: As we come to the end of the year, evaluate your relationship with the Lord Jesus. How has it been a blessing? How could it be better in 2025?
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for sharing not just your name, but your work with us so we might always be certain we are saved from the punishment our sins deserve. AMEN.
Why the shepherds?
If you missed Christmas worship take time to listen now: Emmanuel: God with you! (WATCH HERE)
Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
This verse from Luke 2, is for any Christian a normal part of the Christmas narrative. Without giving it a second thought, the historical account of Luke takes us from the birth of Jesus in a place where animals bedded down to the fields outside of Bethlehem.
But at some point, you have to ask, “Why shepherds?” Were they the only people up that God wouldn’t have to wake up to tell about his Son’s birth? Did the angels need the open expanse of the skies above the field to fit the whole angelic chorus? Did the shepherds have a sense of adventure that would lead them to head into Bethlehem to see the baby whose birth was announced?
As they did every night, the shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks at night. Then…
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
Perhaps shepherds were considered the least educated of society, but to grasp what the angels just said needed a theological genius, or at least an awareness of prophecy that would make all this make sense. There wasn’t a hesitation. The shepherds went to see the baby born.
But still the question nags, “Why the shepherds?”
Perhaps its on my “when I get to heaven list, I’m going to ask…” but maybe the proclamation to the shepherds was to indicate not just for whom Jesus came, but also the heart that Jesus would carry.
Isaiah prophesied 700 years earlier in Isaiah 40:10-11.
See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
The shepherd had the strength to slay the lion, but care to scoop up the young lamb. The shepherd had cunning to defeat the hungry predator, but patience to seek after the lost sheep. The shepherd had stamina to stay the watch through the night, but the love to guide the flock.
It’s the human embodiment of the role Jesus would take that had the privilege of seeing the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy first. It was the ones keeping watch over their flocks at night that saw the One who would watch over their souls. It was the ones ensuring no sheep or lamb was lost to their enemies that would gaze at the one who would defeat the great enemy of the soul, Satan himself. It was the ones that always had to be on edge for wandering sheep or dangerous animals, that got to experience the one who would bring true and lasting peace to their hearts.
It was the shepherds who got to see their Good Shepherd first. It was the shepherds who understood what the Good Shepherd would have to do. It was the shepherds who were the subtle, often silent reminder to the world that we all need a Good Shepherd to watch over us.
And God gave us One who carries us close to his heart.
Apply: Why do you think the angels appeared to the shepherds versus any other group of people?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to be our Good Shepherd and care for us with your love and grace. AMEN.
The morning after Christmas…
If you missed Christmas worship take time to listen now: Emmanuel: God with you! (WATCH HERE)
The presents are opened. The relatives are gone. The cards are sent. The meal is cleaned up and the cookies are just about gone. Maybe you are waking up this morning and thinking, “Maybe I’ll take down the Christmas tree today.”
To be sure there are a lot of things that take place leading up to Christmas. Shopping. Presents. Meal planning. Travel. Sending cards. Doing laundry.
Perhaps this morning you are finally thinking, “I can finally catch my breath.”
Christmas comes with so much hype on the front end, but what about the day after? Does Christmas quickly become a distant memory in the rearview mirror of 2024? (Even though you may find the random “Days until Christmas” countdown clock showing “Only 364 days until Christmas!)
To be sure, it is easy to let the calendar date of Christmas, December 25 fade into the column of “History” and “Memories.” However, let’s not move on so quickly that the significance of the day fails to move forward with us.
My mind goes to Mary on the day after. Think about the chaos leading up to Jesus’ birth. Packing for a long trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Pregnancy and all the female issues with that. Giving birth to a child. The stress of finding a place to stay. Unexpected visitors speaking of sheep and angels in a description that would sound incredibly amazing and confusing at the same time. Visitors who stopped by after the shepherds left because the shepherds had told everyone they met what had happened.
The morning after might have been the first time Mary had a little bit of a quiet moment to herself to do as Luke records:
Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Mary took it all in and banked all the memories. She knew she was part of something special. She knew the child she just gave birth to was the Son of God and fulfillment of prophesy. She heard what the shepherds reported. She probably was exhausted and just wanted to rest, but her mind could not help but thinking about what had just happened.
Maybe we are feeling the same way. A bit exhausted. Our minds full of memories. We know Christmas is about Jesus birth, but maybe today is the first opportunity to slow down enough to ponder the importance and significance of the fact that God took on human flesh to be with us.
Maybe today is an opportunity reflect that Jesus was born for you…really…for you! Jesus came to deliver you from your sin and its consequences…really…you are forgiven and Jesus perfect life is yours. Peace on earth is not just a cessation of all things that are disruptive, but is a peace that is real between you and God…yes, you are good with God. What we just experienced in Christmas is the most impactful, most personal, most eternal gift we could ever receive…and yes, it was given to you and you get to enjoy it not just today, but every day of your life and every day of eternity.
It’s the morning after, but maybe its a good day to ponder in your heart all these things that have happened…for you!
Apply: Take time today – five minutes – 30 minutes to simply ponder/meditate on the importance and significance of Christmas and the reality that Jesus was born for you!
Prayer: Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay. Close by me forever and love me I pray. Bless all your dear children in your tender care and take us to heaven to be with you there. AMEN.
A Savior Born for You!
A blessed and Merry Christmas to you all!
Marvel at the gift of Jesus, born for you!
Luke 2:1-20 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.