I . . . decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
— Luke 1:3-4
The Christmas story is familiar to many people throughout the world, wherever the message of Christ has spread. In various parts of our world today, though, the Christmas season has become a time when focusing on Jesus competes with shopping, holiday parties, and a frenzied rush.In the book of Luke, the story of Jesus begins with a reminder that can help us even today in our world of competing ideals. Luke writes to a reader called Theophilus (“friend of God”) so that this person may know deep-down that the story of Jesus is certain and true.God wants the Christmas story to inspire a kind of certainty in us. This is not intended to promote pride or superiority, as if to suggest that we know God better than anyone else. Instead, this is to instill wonder at the reality of the birth of Christ and what it means for the whole world (see John 3:16).Do you feel overwhelmed by the busyness of the Christmas season? Do the holidays remind you of stresses and hurts from the past that have not healed? In this season, turn again to the story of what God has “fulfilled among us”—the promise to provide a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. See how Jesus changes the lives of all who come into contact with him, and let his birth renew in you the certainty of God’s love for us all.
Spirit of God, thank you for sharing the story of Jesus with us. May the wonder of this story sink into our hearts, giving us certainty and hope in you. Amen.
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Just the Right Time
When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son. . . .
— Galatians 4:4
Christmas can seem like a magical time for children. In our family we have several traditions that our children look forward to at this time of year. Especially when they were younger, it seemed to them like an awfully long time to wait for Christmas after putting up decorations in early December—particularly when presents under the tree caught their attention!For many long years, God’s people waited in hope for a Savior to come. God had given the people his law, filled with rules and guidelines about how to live as his people. But the law was not enough to bring the people closer to the Lord, and they longed for a deeper relationship. God also promised that he would raise up a leader from his people who would “do what is just and right” (see Jeremiah 23:5-6). And they learned that God would fill their hearts and minds with his will so that they could live more closely with him (see Jeremiah 31:33).It must have seemed like forever to wait for God to keep those promises. But the Bible tells us that this happened at just the right time. God sent his own Son, Jesus, into the world to fulfill the law so that all who would believe could be saved from sin and freed by his Spirit to live with him, sharing his love and grace with others.This Christmas, look for ways in which God’s Spirit is changing you because of Jesus’ birth.
Holy God, sometimes it seems hard to wait for you. But your timing is always right, and your promises are always rich! Help us wait faithfully for you, and make us your people in Christ. Amen.
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The Way Home Again
“For their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors. . . . I am the Lord.”
— Leviticus 26:45
In Jesus’ parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11-24) we read of a young man who leaves home to seek adventures in wild living. Soon, however, his money runs out, and his life begins to unravel.Leviticus pointed God’s people to the joy of his presence in their lives. Yet in spite of all God had done to make it possible for them to live with him, God knew they would soon go looking for joy elsewhere. They would find his laws too burdensome, and they would spiral again into sin. The first part of our reading today warned the people that disobedience would lead to punishment and the withholding of God’s blessings. God’s aim in all this was not to inflict pain but to break down pride and stubbornness.Thankfully, God does not give up on his wayward children. God remembers his covenant promises, and he restores all who repent and ask for forgiveness. Perhaps you too have wandered away, and you have faced the consequences of sin in your own life. Perhaps your relationship with God is a long-past memory, and your present life is a mess.The young man in Jesus’ parable returns home, sorry for his wrongdoing, and he is surprised to be welcomed back with joy and grace by his loving father. Through faith in Jesus, we are guaranteed an even greater welcome home to our Father’s love!
Lord and God, thank you that, because of Jesus, we may come home to our true home with you! We thank and praise you for your kind mercy to us in Christ. Amen.
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The Good Life
“If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops. . . .”
— Leviticus 26:3
When we are living in a right relationship with God, we can be assured of his blessing and favor. Our text in Leviticus today describes material, social, and economic favor that God gave his people as they lived in a right relationship with him.Many of us experience similar blessings. Our cupboards are filled with plenty for us to eat. We enjoy success in our work and stability in our homes and families. But even when that isn’t the case, we can count on God’s spiritual care. God keeps his promises to us and is always with us (see Matthew 28:20).We do well to remember always, though, that we are called to walk in obedience to God. While this cannot earn God’s love for us or earn us salvation, we experience more fully our enjoyment of God when we strive to walk in his ways. Walking with God fills us with joy and delight in his presence.There is no greater blessing than to live each day with the Lord, who loves us more than we can imagine (Ephesians 3:16-21). In Leviticus, God reminds his people that he redeemed them in order to live among them. This is true for us today as well! At the cross, Jesus freed us from our slavery and guilt in sin so that we can walk with him, delighting in his presence and living with thankfulness each day for him.
Father, you have redeemed us to be your treasured possession. Help us to live in gratitude to you each day. Show us the joy of obedience to you! In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
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Paying Off a Debt
“One of their relatives may redeem them: An uncle or a cousin or any blood relative in their clan may redeem them.”
— Leviticus 25:48-49
A friend asked, “Why can’t God just forgive our sins without the cross?” Why did Jesus have to suffer and give up his life for us? The answer is in today’s reading. When a family’s crop failed for years in a row, they might have to sell property, or even a family member, to satisfy debts that could pile up (Leviticus 25:23-55). Fortunately God’s law allowed other family members to pay off their debts, releasing them from their obligations.These laws show how we can owe a debt that we cannot repay. If someone hurts me, either I will try to make them pay by inflicting harm on them, or else I will pay by absorbing the cost. Likewise, when we violate God’s law, we create a debt that someone must pay, and either we or God will have to pay it. Jesus explains this in Mark 10:45 when he says, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus not only pays our ransom; he becomes the ransom. His suffering and death are the payment for our debt!This means we are now free! Years ago, a young family was buried under crippling debt—medical bills, unexpected car repairs, a mortgage, and student loans. When a charitable organization paid off their debt, their entire present and future changed! In comparison, Jesus has done so much more—saving all who believe in him to live with him forever!
Lord Jesus, we are eternally thankful for all you have done for us. May we live faithfully in the freedom you have won for us. Amen.
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