In His advent, Jesus brings us His hope, love, joy, and peace. He also brings us to a point of decision, where we have to decide for ourselves how we will respond to His rule and reign. Will you respond as wise men and the shepherds did?
Matthew and Luke each give us different details and perspectives of Jesus’ birth. For this reason it is helpful to take them both into account in studying and celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Jesus is the promised Prince of Peace. He comes to redeem and to restore a broken and sinful world that desperately needs Him. He offers true and everlasting peace.
To recognize who Jesus truly is, and what He accomplishes in His advent is to be overwhelmed with His hope, love, and joy. This is precisely what we see in Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah as they are overwhelmed with joy at the promise of His birth.
Before Jesus spoke a word about love in His earthly ministry, He had already powerfully demonstrated His unparalleled love in the very act of His birth. He lovingly came down to rescue and save us from our sins, by laying down His life in our place.
In a time when God’s people struggled to hang onto hope and faith, a baby is born who changes everything. Hope is born. Not just for the 1st century Jews, but for all humanity of all time. This Christmas, as we celebrate the advent of Jesus, let us remember and celebrate the hope that He…
Sometimes we find it easy and natural to be grateful and to express gratitude to God for what He has blessed us with. At other times in life, we struggle to find reasons to be thankful, but scripture tells us that God is the same God, in both the good and in the challenging times.…
Jesus passionately pursued the lost, the sinful, and the outcast, and He has called for us to do the same. In the parable of the sower, Jesus illustrates the importance of the condition of our hearts to receive His Word, and also to spread His Word.
Jesus lovingly pursues the outcast and the sinner. He didn’t come for the righteous, but for the sinner, in desperate need of the grace that is only available through Him. He pursues us right where we are, and calls us to leave it all behind and to follow Him.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who passionately pursues the lost and joyously celebrates when they come home. He likewise calls for us to be on this mission with Him, and to share in His joy over the lost being found.