“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Although much has been made of this passage, to me it indicates further how God is working throughout all history. Here, as in Day 4’s passage, we have an already/not yet prophecy. The sign was for King Ahaz, to assure him of the destruction of his enemies. It wouldn’t be much assurance if he had to wait hundreds of years for the sign to be fulfilled. The sign for Ahaz meant that his enemies would be destroyed within a few years (the time for a baby to be conceived, born, and grow old enough to know right from wrong). But, once again, God worked details out for that time and for later. This verse points not only to that ancient fulfillment but to the birth of Christ. It is only through the power of the Spirit that Jesus could come and be both fully God and fully human.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Day 13-Galatians 4:4
"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son"
Hannah understands this. The “fullness of time.” God’s plan is amazing. Coordinating each and every detail so that He could send His son into the world. As I mentioned yesterday, even an oppressive tax by the godless Roman emperor was used by God to help fulfill what He said He would do. Simply amazing. And still we think we can sit here and tell God what we think is best for us? We don’t have the faintest idea…
Hannah understands this. The “fullness of time.” God’s plan is amazing. Coordinating each and every detail so that He could send His son into the world. As I mentioned yesterday, even an oppressive tax by the godless Roman emperor was used by God to help fulfill what He said He would do. Simply amazing. And still we think we can sit here and tell God what we think is best for us? We don’t have the faintest idea…
Day 12-Micah 5:2
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
We were talking with the kids, telling them the Christmas story, and Hannah finally said, “I get it!” (Our other two, apparently still don’t get it). She understood that God’s sovereign plan was for Caesar Augustus to impose a brutal, unwanted tax, just so that Joseph and Mary would have to go to Bethlehem. (Luke 2) We wondered if Mary was concerned about having the baby on the way, or if she knew that nothing would happen until they got to Bethlehem.
This passage clearly shows the place of origin of the Messiah, but it also says something else interesting: His origins are from ancient times. Make no mistake, Jesus was not just a man that God singled out. His origins are from the creation of the world, and He is fully God, the Immanuel, “God with us.”
We were talking with the kids, telling them the Christmas story, and Hannah finally said, “I get it!” (Our other two, apparently still don’t get it). She understood that God’s sovereign plan was for Caesar Augustus to impose a brutal, unwanted tax, just so that Joseph and Mary would have to go to Bethlehem. (Luke 2) We wondered if Mary was concerned about having the baby on the way, or if she knew that nothing would happen until they got to Bethlehem.
This passage clearly shows the place of origin of the Messiah, but it also says something else interesting: His origins are from ancient times. Make no mistake, Jesus was not just a man that God singled out. His origins are from the creation of the world, and He is fully God, the Immanuel, “God with us.”
Day 11-Mark 9:11-13
"And they asked him, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?"
Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him."
Here, as in Matthew 11:14, Jesus identifies John the Baptist as the promised Elijah (see Malachi 3:1 and 4:5). But once again, Jesus puts an unexpected spin on the timing of God’s plan. He says in verse 12 that John came to “restore all things.” So, how come I don’t feel very restored? Jesus answers with a clue to His own purpose: “the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected.”
Sometimes, even when we are doing all the right things, God’s plan still has other pieces that need to fall in to place. Even John the Baptist had a hard time with this. While he was in prison, he sent disciples to ask Jesus, “I did what God asked me to, so why am I in prison?” (that’s my own paraphrase). Jesus tried to encourage John, and I want this verse to encourage us. There are times when we do what God asks faithfully, and our head still gets chopped off. But, let us be content to be small pieces in God’s puzzle, and be content not always seeing the bigger picture ourselves.
Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him."
Here, as in Matthew 11:14, Jesus identifies John the Baptist as the promised Elijah (see Malachi 3:1 and 4:5). But once again, Jesus puts an unexpected spin on the timing of God’s plan. He says in verse 12 that John came to “restore all things.” So, how come I don’t feel very restored? Jesus answers with a clue to His own purpose: “the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected.”
Sometimes, even when we are doing all the right things, God’s plan still has other pieces that need to fall in to place. Even John the Baptist had a hard time with this. While he was in prison, he sent disciples to ask Jesus, “I did what God asked me to, so why am I in prison?” (that’s my own paraphrase). Jesus tried to encourage John, and I want this verse to encourage us. There are times when we do what God asks faithfully, and our head still gets chopped off. But, let us be content to be small pieces in God’s puzzle, and be content not always seeing the bigger picture ourselves.
Day 10-Malachi 3:1
I've been busy for a couple of days writing a paper, so let's get caught up:
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty."
We’ve been looking in the Old Testament at those passages that point to Christ, anticipating His coming and understanding His purpose. As the Old Testament canon closes, we are left with some encouraging words about the future. Although certainly not everyone will be encouraged by what happens in the future, Malachi 3 tells us of a sign that will come before the promised Messiah. A messenger will come before the Lord. Sound familiar? Two phrases strike me about this passage:
1) “The Lord you are seeking.” Perhaps one of the reasons the Jews misunderstood Jesus is because they were not seeking Him. Or, they were seeking a Messiah they thought they wanted, and failed to see God’s better plan. How often do we do this? We get an idea in our head of what God is (or should be) and we totally miss what He wants to be for us. Our culture wants a God who makes everyone feel good all the time, but at the expense of real, joyous blessings. Are we willing to seek Him, without preconceived notions?
2) “The messenger of the covenant.” John the Baptist, who was the messenger referred to here, is not just a messenger, but is calling the Jews back to their covenant relationship with God. A lot of times, it is hard to reconcile the Old Testament with the New Testament, but when God makes a covenant, He intends to keep it until is it fulfilled. Until Jesus death and resurrection, John was required to call the people to a baptism of repentance, “preparing the way for the Lord.” Are our hearts made ready to truly seek Him, and turn from those things that distract and draw us away from Him?
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty."
We’ve been looking in the Old Testament at those passages that point to Christ, anticipating His coming and understanding His purpose. As the Old Testament canon closes, we are left with some encouraging words about the future. Although certainly not everyone will be encouraged by what happens in the future, Malachi 3 tells us of a sign that will come before the promised Messiah. A messenger will come before the Lord. Sound familiar? Two phrases strike me about this passage:
1) “The Lord you are seeking.” Perhaps one of the reasons the Jews misunderstood Jesus is because they were not seeking Him. Or, they were seeking a Messiah they thought they wanted, and failed to see God’s better plan. How often do we do this? We get an idea in our head of what God is (or should be) and we totally miss what He wants to be for us. Our culture wants a God who makes everyone feel good all the time, but at the expense of real, joyous blessings. Are we willing to seek Him, without preconceived notions?
2) “The messenger of the covenant.” John the Baptist, who was the messenger referred to here, is not just a messenger, but is calling the Jews back to their covenant relationship with God. A lot of times, it is hard to reconcile the Old Testament with the New Testament, but when God makes a covenant, He intends to keep it until is it fulfilled. Until Jesus death and resurrection, John was required to call the people to a baptism of repentance, “preparing the way for the Lord.” Are our hearts made ready to truly seek Him, and turn from those things that distract and draw us away from Him?
Monday, December 8, 2008
I'm Not Dreaming of a White Christmas
Because I work outdoors. Around water. And the warmer the better...
A Post That Has Nothing to Do With Christmas
I was riding in the elevator along with a couple, and I noticed that they exhibited amazing self-control. They had purchased some food from Burger King, and they were not eating it yet. They were actually waiting to get home (presumably to put it on a plate?)! If it had been me, I would have consumed my entire meal by the time the doors to the elevator closed. Because a cold french fry is the msot disgusting thing I can think of.
Of course, they might have already eaten everything, and were just taking the bag upstairs to throw it away...
Of course, they might have already eaten everything, and were just taking the bag upstairs to throw it away...
Day 9-Luke 3:7-14
Immediately before this passage, Luke references Isaiah 40, pointing to John the Baptist as the promised one to "prepare the way." The way John prepares for Jesus' coming is by calling people to personal repentance.
In thinking of the Christmas season, I am struck by John's teaching here. Three different groups of people ask him the same question; "what should we do?" All three of his responses are the same: be content with what you have.
I found myself at the mall this past weekend and was awestruck by the throngs of people, spending for the holidays, seemingly without a thought as to the status of their 401(k). I think we can all be challenged by John's teaching. Be content. Those who have much, share with those who have little. Those who lack should strive to get just enough.
Are we asking of God, "What should I do?" Are we willing to be content with his answer?
In thinking of the Christmas season, I am struck by John's teaching here. Three different groups of people ask him the same question; "what should we do?" All three of his responses are the same: be content with what you have.
I found myself at the mall this past weekend and was awestruck by the throngs of people, spending for the holidays, seemingly without a thought as to the status of their 401(k). I think we can all be challenged by John's teaching. Be content. Those who have much, share with those who have little. Those who lack should strive to get just enough.
Are we asking of God, "What should I do?" Are we willing to be content with his answer?
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