John 1:1-14
Our Gospel reading for this week comes from the opening verses of the Apostle John’s Gospel. Both Matthew and Luke’s Gospels tell versions of the birth of Jesus, which we like to read at Christmas time. Mark’s Gospel is short, fast-paced, and does not have a nativity story, instead starting right in with Jesus’s baptism and ministry. John’s Gospel, however, with his emphasis throughout on Jesus being the divine, eternal Son of God, begins by going back even further than Jesus’s earthly birth, back to the dawn of time, when Jesus existed before creation. Let’s study these opening verses of John’s Gospel.
Both Jews and Greeks had concepts for “the Word” (vs. 1). For Jews, it was an expression of God’s wisdom. They believed God’s spoken Word brought about creation, was given to the prophets, and was written down in the Scriptures. For Greeks it meant reason, intellect, and philosophy. John is clearly speaking here of Jesus. He truly is the Word, the ultimate revelation of God, the living picture of God’s holiness.
Jesus is both fully human and fully divine (vs. 1-3). He took upon Himself full humanity, and lived as a man. However, He never ceased to be the eternal God who has always existed from before the beginning of time. If we cannot believe this basic truth and doctrine, how can we have enough faith to trust our eternal destiny to Him?
As we read in verse 3, Jesus was involved in the creation of everything in the universe into existence, including you and me. If we do not believe that we are God’s special creation, then we are no more than an accidental jumble of atoms. Created by God, we are something unique and valuable. Apart from God we are nothing.
As John continues, he declares that Jesus is the Creator of life, and that His life brings light to mankind (vs. 4-5). The word “comprehend” in verse 5 means to overtake, apprehend, or overcome. Darkness cannot overcome or conquer light. The darkness of evil will never overcome or extinguish God’s light. Darkness cannot overcome light! Jesus is that Light (vs. 9). As He testified, He is the Light of the world (John 8:12, John 9:5). Throughout the Bible, particularly in John’s Gospel, darkness is symbolic of evil, sin, and Satan. Jesus calls believers “lights”. We are not the source of light, which only comes from Jesus, but we are to reflect that light, just as the moon reflects the light of the sun. We are to reflect that light out into the world, pointing others to Jesus (vs. 8).
Jesus left heaven to put on human flesh in order to bring us God’s Good News. The people God created did not recognize Jesus. Even those whom He chose to prepare the rest of the world for the coming of the Messiah failed Him and did not receive Him (vs. 10-11). However, those who do receive Jesus, they are given the right to become God’s children (vs. 12). God created everyone, but not everyone is God’s child. Only those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior are God’s children, as verse 12 in our passage in Scripture says.
As John concludes this passage, he states again, how Jesus, the eternal, divine Son of God became man (vs. 14). Jesus was not part man and part God. He was completely human and completely divine (Colossians 2:9). Jesus is the perfect expression of God in human form, the exact representation of God’s nature because He is God Himself (Hebrews 1:3). Because Jesus became a man, He experienced life just as we do. He was tempted, felt sadness and grief, also joy and happiness. However, He did not sin. We can take comfort in this, knowing that Jesus understands everything we go through.
Galatians 4:4-7
There have been many stories written over the years about poor orphan children, the difficult trials they have, and then being chosen and adopted into a kind, loving home. While orphans, they were unloved and unwanted, life kicking them around. Now they are accepted and loved. Imagine the joy for that child. In this segment of Scriptures from Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he speaks of those who have accepted Jesus now being adopted into God’s family. How is that possible? Let’s take a look at how that happens.
There are some cults which teach that Jesus was only a man, and not divine. Others that teach Jesus was never a human in the flesh, but was a divine spirit. As Paul teaches in our passage here, Jesus was both fully God and fully human, as He was born of a woman (vs. 4). Jesus had to be fully God for His sacrifice to be of the infinite worth needed to atone for sin. He also had to be fully man so that He could take upon Himself the penalty of sin as the substitute for man.
Jesus was also Jewish, born under the Old Testament Law (vs. 4-5), and He was the only person who fully kept that Law. Even though He was human, Jesus never sinned, and thus His sinlessness was the perfect sacrifice for sin. His death bought our freedom from being enslaved to sin. Jesus came to take our place. That is what redemption is. He gave His life so that we could receive forgiveness of sins. Jesus’s perfect righteousness is transferred to all who believe, and now we can be adopted into God’s family. Before we were children of darkness and slaves to sin. When we accept Jesus as our Savior we are adopted into God’s heavenly family forever (vs. 6-7). We are adopted out of the family of the devil, and into the family of God. We become God’s true sons and daughters. We are His heirs.
Roman law ensured that adopted children were guaranteed all of the legal rights to their new father’s property and inheritance. They were not second class children. They were legally equal to biological blood-born children. As God’s adopted children we share with Jesus all rights to God’s resources. As God’s heirs, we can claim all that He has.
Paul used the word “abba” to refer to God as our heavenly father. That is the Aramaic word for “father”. It is an even closer, warmer term, more like “daddy” or “papa”. God wants us to have a close, intimate relationship with Himself. He has given us the Holy Spirit to indwell us. The Holy Spirit shows us what it’s like to be God’s children, to show us His great love.
Why did God take so long, so many centuries after Abraham, after Moses, David, and the prophets, to send Jesus? One reason was that God waited until the world was ready to receive His Son, when the “fullness of time” came (vs. 4), when the message of the Gospel could be carried around the world. A couple hundred years before Jesus, Alexander the Great conquered most of the known world then, and he made the Greek language a common language spoken and understood by most people. Before then, many languages and dialects were spoken all over, and only a few well-educated scribes would have spoken and read more than a couple. The Roman empire at the time of Jesus’s birth built the first highways across the known world, making travel so much easier, connecting countries, and providing safe travel. A common language, along with ease and safety in travel, made possible the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. God’s timing was right.
God has a time for everything. It is always the right time. Never too early, never too late. As God’s adopted children, members of His family, we need to always be aware, alert, and ready for God’s time in our life.
Psalm 8
Many of you will be reading this devotional on the last day of the year, the last day of the decade. For some, a New Year’s Eve tradition is to be in a gathering outside somewhere for the midnight countdown. Others might gather with friends at one or another’s home. When it’s time to go back to your own home, it’s late and dark. Perhaps, if it’s a clear night, you may look up and see a star-filled sky. David had many opportunities throughout his life to sit and look at the stars and planets. As a youth he spent years outdoors, watching his father’s flocks, including at night. Then there were many years he spent out in the wilderness fleeing from King Saul, again sleeping outdoors. In our psalm today, we can see that David didn’t just blindly stare off into space without giving it any thought. Nor did he just casually look at the creation around him. Thoughts about creation and God were constantly spinning around in his mind. Our psalm for today is a short one, but it expresses some of the thoughts that David had as he beheld God’s creation.
Throughout his life, David spent many nights sleeping out under the open sky. As he looked up, he couldn’t help but notice how vast and huge the night sky and the universe is, and this was before the invention of any type of telescope, or binoculars. David also knew that God is greater than even all of that. God is so much greater than the whole universe as He created it with His fingers (vs. 3). Perhaps you’ve seen some science shows on TV where they show the planet earth in comparison to our solar system. It’s quite small! Then they zoom out and show the solar system compared to the Milky Way galaxy. Our solar system is just a speck! Then they zoom out even more, and our galaxy is just one of countless in the whole universe. Even on our own planet earth, each one of us individually is only a little speck. How much smaller when thinking of the whole universe? Like David, we can truthfully say “What is man, that You are mindful of him?” (vs. 4).
When we see what would look like an unmatched marriage or friendship, we might wonder what the one person sees in the other. That is a bit like what David was thinking. What does the Almighty God see in sinful man that would draw Him to love us? Looking at the vast expanse of creation, it’s a wonder that God would be concerned for people who constantly disappoint Him. Yet we were made in God’s image, a little lower than the angels (vs. 5). We bear the stamp of our Creator. He considers us highly valuable, and gave us the responsibility to watch over and care for all creation (vs. 6-8). He loved us enough to send His only Son, Jesus, to die for us.
Throughout various times in David’s life, he must have been around young children. Perhaps, since he was the youngest of several children, they were his nieces and nephews, and then later his own children. He observed that young children are often able to trust and praise God without doubts or reservations (vs. 2). As we get older, we sadly lose that ability. We allow the cares and worries of our life to dampen our praises to God. Though his own life certainly had many problems and concerns that he dealt with, David tried to make sure that praise and thanksgiving were a top priority, as his many psalms attest to.
David closes Psalm 8 just as he began it, by praising the Name of the Lord (vs. 1, 9). God’s Name is awesome. It is majestic. God’s name encompasses all of His attributes. Everything about God, His character, actions, thoughts, desires, words, and works are all praiseworthy and perfect. We may be just a speck in all of God’s creation, but He places His love on us, and that, alone, is worthy of giving God praise. This is something that we all should make a priority in this new year and new decade.
Exodus 33:18 - 34:8
Have you ever wanted to catch a glimpse of someone famous or important, some celebrity? Many people love trying to get a look at someone famous, often standing for hours along a street or sidewalk if they know the person will be passing that way. How about if you could see God? There are a few people who claim they have seen God, but I don’t believe that for a minute. In our Scripture passage for this morning we will look at Moses, one person who had as close a relationship with God as anyone who ever lived, and read of when he asked to look at God.
In the Book of Exodus we read how Moses was brought up in the royal courts of Egypt, in Pharaoh's household. He then fled the country, living as a shepherd in exile for many years. When Moses returned to Egypt he was a strong and fearless believer in Yahweh. He led the Israelites out of bondage, seeing the hand of Yahweh perform many miracles in the wilderness. Prior to where our passage begins, Moses had received the 10 Commandments and confronted the Israelites for worshipping the golden calf. God had wanted to smite all of the people for that grievous sin, and raise up a new nation from Moses, but instead Moses interceded for them, and God relented. Now, as he continues to pray and converse with God, Moses asks to see God, to behold Him in His glory (vs. 18).
Moses wanted to see God’s face, to see His glory. He wanted assurance that God was with him, despite the recent sin of the people in making and worshipping the golden calf. Because we are finite and morally imperfect, we cannot see God as He is, and live (vs. 20). God was willing with Moses to place him in a crevice of the mountain he was on, and then pass by, putting His hand in front of Moses so he would not look straight on God. Then when He had passed by, Moses could see the backside of God (vs. 21-23). Moses saw God’s back. To see God’s back was to see where God had passed by. We can only know God by what He does and how He acts. We cannot comprehend God as He really is, apart from Jesus Christ (John 14:9).
As our passage continues, God gave Moses a second set of the 10 Commandments, the first set having been broken when Moses reacted in anger towards the people and their idolatry (vs. 1-4). God then descended in a cloud of glory, and passed by Moses, as Moses had requested (vs. 5-7). God’s glory is His character, His nature, His way of relating to His creation. God gave Moses a vision of His love, not of His power. God’s glory is revealed in His mercy, grace, compassion, faithfulness, forgiveness, and justice.
Verse 7 can sometimes be confusing and troubling to some, and merits a closer look. Sinful tendencies are often passed down from generation to generation. A parent who abuses his child will often produce a child who will grow up and abuse his own children. Drunkenness often follows generation after generation. If a child observes her parents shoplifting, she may grow up to do the same. Selfishness and greed can be passed along, as well. The consequences of sin are not limited to the individual family member. We should not treat sin casually. The only true cure for this is to repent and turn to the Lord Jesus, taking Him as one’s Savior.
Though no one has ever actually seen God, many people make their own image of Him, whether it is in a carved idol, or in a painting, or just how we imagine Him to be. Exaggerations or distorted images of any of God’s attributes is not right. God is not just an angry and demanding judge. Nor is He someone who will turn a blind eye to sin. He is merciful and gracious, but also just in punishing the guilty. We must avoid portraying God as having only our favorite attributes. We must worship all of God, not just what we personally like to see.
Matthew 2:12-18
For churches and denominations that follow the liturgical church calendar, the 28th of December is the day that remembers the Holy Innocents, those young boys living in and around Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth, who were put to death by order of King Herod the Great. Let’s take a look at this tragic event and see what the Lord might teach us through it.
The narrative of the birth of Jesus is familiar to most of us. Because of the Roman census Joseph and Mary journey to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. Guided by the star which appeared at His birth, some Magi (possibly members of the priestly caste of Zoroastrianism from Persia) come to worship, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:1-11). They believed the appearance of the star heralded the birth of someone of great, immense significance, and enroute they stop in Jerusalem to inquire about the birth. Their inquiry triggered murderous jealousy in King Herod, which he managed to hide while conversing with the magi. Herod sent them on their way, with their promise they would return and tell him where they found the babe.
As our passage picks up, God has warned these magi in a dream to return home via a different route, and not go back to King Herod (vs. 12). At the same time, God also warned Joseph in another dream to take Mary and baby Jesus, and flee into Egypt for their lives (vs. 13). Fortunately, each of these men obeyed God, as King Herod planned on killing the child which he felt was a rival to his throne. There were Jewish colonies throughout the Mediterranean world, including some in Egypt, particularly in Alexandria, so Joseph and Mary would probably have gone to live among them.
When King Herod realized that the magi were not returning to give him information about the child they had sought, he was furious. Herod was a violent and cruel man, frequently flying into murderous rages. He was also insanely paranoid about losing his throne, even executing Mariamne, one of his favorite wives, and two of their sons out of that fear. Therefore, when he ordered the killing of baby boys two years old and younger in the environs of Bethlehem, it was not out of character for him.
Herod sent his soldiers to Bethlehem. These would have been his own personal palace soldiers, not Roman soldiers, as this was not an order given by the Roman governor. They were instructed to kill every baby boy under the age of two in the small village and surrounding countryside. Historians believe that the number would have been anywhere from a dozen to possibly a few dozen. Bethlehem was not a big village, so most likely it did not have many boys who were between infant and toddler age. However, many children were killed, and even one would be one too many! Imagine soldiers bursting into your home and snatching your baby boy, running a sword through him! This was unbelievable madness! The wailing grief that resounded through the streets of Bethlehem was heartbreaking. As Matthew wrote in verses 17-18, a prophecy of Jeremiah came true (Jeremiah 31:15). Rachel was the favorite wife of the patriarch Jacob, and mother of his favorite son, Joseph. She had died and was buried in Bethlehem. The mothers of Bethlehem could not possibly be comforted when their babies were senselessly slaughtered.
What can we learn from these tragic events? For one, God does not always intervene in the events that occur, and spare everyone from tragedy. That does not mean that He doesn’t love us or care what happens. Terrible things happen all the time around the world, and God does care. His Son, Jesus, died to pay the price of sin, including such terrible sins as occurred that day in Bethlehem. Though He may not always intervene, God is always in control, and He always knows what is best.
Another thing that we can learn is to be alert to the Lord speaking to us. He usually speaks to us today through His Word, the Bible. The Holy Spirit can also speak to us quietly in our hearts. God spoke to the magi and to Joseph through dreams. They were obedient to Him, were receptive to His guidance, and were able to save the life of the Baby Jesus.
Herod was afraid that Jesus, the newborn Son of God, would take his throne. Jesus didn’t want Herod’s throne, He wanted to be king of Herod’s life. People today are afraid that Jesus will take things away from their life, when really He wants to give them abundant life. Will we accept God’s abundant life? Are we listening for His guidance in our life? And do we know that in spite of tragedies that happen, God does care about each and every one of us individually?
Titus 3:4-7
Christmas is the day when Christians celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Young children can hardly wait to get up on Christmas morning in order to open their presents, and oftentimes adults are eager, too, to see what awaits them under the Christmas tree. New toys, new clothes, books, and items related to our favorite hobbies are gifts we eagerly open. On Christmas morning God gave us the greatest gift of all, His Son, Jesus Christ. Along with the gift of His Son, there are many other gifts that come with and through Him. As we take a close look at our Scripture passage today from Paul’s letter to Titus, we can see some of those gifts given to us from the Lord.
Wrapped up in the package of His Son, Jesus Christ, we see the gifts of kindness and love, mercy, cleansing from sin, regeneration and renewing through the Holy Spirit, justification, grace, becoming an heir, and of course, salvation and eternal life. Let’s take a quick look at these gifts we receive from God.
Paul mentions in verse 4 that we receive kindness and love from God. Both of these virtues are part of God’s character. Jesus is kindness and love incarnate, appearing in human form. Everyone wants to have kindness shown to them, and certainly we all yearn to be loved. These are gifts that God bestows upon His children. Kindness makes God’s goodness accessible to us. It is the patient love of God that is shown when He humbled Himself and came to earth to save us.
Mercy is withholding deserved punishment from someone when it is due. Because of our many sins, we deserve eternal damnation. However, God showed us mercy when He sent His Son Jesus, to pay the penalty with His Blood for our sins (vs. 5). There is absolutely nothing we could ever do to earn God’s love and salvation. He offers us salvation because of His mercy and grace which was shown on the cross. Salvation is not achieved by works. It is a gift from God which we need to accept and receive.
When we accept the gift of salvation from God, given through Jesus Christ, we also receive cleansing from our sins, a thorough washing. When we accept Jesus as our Savior He thoroughly washes us from our sins (vs 5-6). This isn’t like a quick wipe-down with a damp washcloth. We are completely washed from the stain of our sins. All of our sins are washed away, not just some of them. We also receive a new life which is generated, empowered, and protected by the Holy Spirit. God, Himself, indwells us through the Holy Spirit. Regeneration and renewal refers to the new life that we receive as a gift from the Lord when we receive as Savior. We are moved from a life full of sin to one led by the Holy Spirit. It is His love for us that gave us the gift of a new nature and eternal life.
The gift of salvation is through justification by faith alone (vs. 7). This is another gift that God has given us, but one that we each need to personally accept before it will be of any good for us. When a sinner repents and puts their faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, God will declare them just, imputing the righteousness of Jesus to him. They are given eternal life because of the substitutionary death of Jesus, which paid the penalty of our sins.
At salvation we also receive another gift, which is becoming a child of God, and a joint heir with Jesus (vs. 7). We are no longer orphans, but a part of God’s own family. We are no longer outcasts. One of the privileges a child has is that they are heirs to what belongs to the family. We have become joint-heirs with Jesus. We receive all the blessings of heaven as a child of God.
These are all some of the gifts that God has bestowed upon us. Have you accepted these gifts that the Lord gave us through His Son Jesus, whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas? When we accept His gifts and are saved, we are abundantly blessed beyond measure.
Matthew 1:18-25
Today is Christmas Eve. Many of you might have a small nativity set which you have set up sometime during this Christmas season. My family has one made of china. Some of our Christmas cards may also have a nativity scene on them. As we look at the nativity scene, there is one character that often doesn’t get much thought. We look lovingly on the Baby Jesus, and then upon His mother, Mary. We think of the shepherds who had the glorious news of the birth of the Savior announced to them by the angels. We look at the magi who came such great distances to bring their gifts to the Baby Jesus, bowing before Him as they worshipped. Often, though, we don’t give much thought to Joseph. Oh yeah, he’s that guy standing in the background, over there in the shadows. I thought today, we could bring him out of the background, away from the shadows, and take a closer look at his story.
Joseph was from the genealogical line of King David, his family line given in Matthew 1:1-16. Joseph was a humble carpenter, by no means a wealthy man. As our passage begins, we see that Joseph was betrothed to a young woman named Mary. A betrothal was basically an engagement to be married. In Biblical times a betrothal was as binding as an actual marriage. Today people break off engagements with no problem, but in the past a legal divorce transaction was necessary to terminate a betrothal.
Joseph was probably looking forward to the coming marriage, when he found out that she was expecting a child! (vs. 18). As one could imagine, this would have been a big blow to Joseph. He knew the child wasn’t his. Whose child was it? The explanation that Mary gave was preposterous! An angel came to her! The Holy Spirit came upon her, and the child would be the Son of God! That was too incredible to believe! Obviously she had been unfaithful to him.
Jews would stone to death a woman found committing adultery, and being unfaithful during the betrothal period was the same as adultery. Joseph would have had that right. He was a very devout man who loved God and obeyed His Word. He was a man of integrity. What was he going to do? Haul Mary out to the public square and have her stoned? Bring her to public shame as a promiscuous woman? Joseph was righteous, but he was also merciful. He did not want to make Mary a public example. He wanted to do what was right, but also try to do it in the right way. The child wasn’t his, the promise seemingly had been broken, but deep down he must have known that Mary wasn’t an immoral woman. He would end the betrothal, but not have her executed, nor put to public shame (vs. 19).
All of this stunning, unbelievable news, and what to do about it all, must have consumed Joseph’s thoughts day and night, and being a devout man, he must have brought it all to the Lord in prayer. God responded by sending an angel to him in a dream, telling Joseph that what Mary had told him was the truth (vs. 20-21). The child she was carrying was conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit, and he was to go ahead and take Mary as his wife.
Joseph obeyed God, even though this would be at the price of his own reputation, as well. Betrothal periods were usually about a year long, and weddings always very elaborate, well-planned events. Theirs would have been a hasty, quiet one, and very soon it would become obvious as to why. People would soon be talking, not only about Mary’s reputation and shame, but his, as well. Joseph placed God’s plan ahead of his own, even at the cost of his own reputation.
Joseph was told to name this child “Jesus”, which means “the Lord saves” (vs. 25). Jesus came to save us, because we cannot save ourselves. Jesus was also called “Immanuel”, which means “God with us” (vs. 23). Jesus is God in the flesh. He is both God and man. The infinite and unlimited God took on the limitations of humanity so that He could live and die for the salvation of mankind.
Out of the multitudes of eligible men at the time, God chose Joseph to be the foster father of the Lord Jesus, and the husband of Mary, His mother. He was chosen for a reason, as God felt that he would be the best guardian and role model for Jesus as a child. So let’s move the figure of Joseph out from the shadows of the nativity, and praise God for using this godly man in the life and upbringing of Jesus.
