Advent: Just Like You and Me

Week 4, Post-Advent Day 1

Read: Luke 8:22-25

"One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we’re going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." (Luke 8:22-25)

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"As they sailed, He fell asleep."

Yes, Jesus slept. Sometimes we tend to think of Jesus as some stoic, hovering spirit-being -- a man who never smiled (after all, smiling is a sin, right?) and who never broke stride. But Hebrews 2 makes it clear that Jesus was just like us in His humanity when it says, "he had to be made like his brothers in every way." In every way? In every way. That means he did the mundane and routine things we have to do every day for sustenance.

Jesus ate food. He had to or His body would die. Jesus drank from the watery brook and from the local well. He was cut and bled, maybe even to the tune of stubbed toes and blisters. After all, those 1st Century sandals weren't quite as comfy as our modern flip-flops. And in a world of rocks, hills, and dust, even the heartiest of feet get humbled.

In today's selection of Scripture, we find Jesus sleeping on a fishing boat. He even slept through the increasing storm. Why? He was so tired He did what you and I often do when we're wiped out. He went into deep sleep. Of course, unlike you and I, He got up and rebuked the storm and it obeyed. But that's because He was also 100-percent God.

So next time we're worn out or beat down let us remember that Jesus went through everything that we go through long before we did. He's been in our shoes. And He will give us the strength we need to make it through. He overcame, and because He did, so can we.

Be God's.


THE INCARNATION SONG

Callused hands and dirty feet; / Sweaty brows and tired legs
The miles, they pass, with little to eat; / But "Come follow me," the preacher begs

Climbing hills and fording streams / On His way from A to B
Travel’s tough and His body’s beat / Yet still He cries, “Come follow me”

He ate, He drank, He held out His hands
The God of all creation dwelling as a man
In all ways He was like us, though He knew no sin
Through His death we are redeemed
Through His life we’re born again

Advent: The Christmas Story

Advent: Week 4, Day 5 -- Christmas Day

Light all five candles to celebrate Christmas Day.
Read: Philippians 2:5-11.

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (2:5-11)

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The Story of Christmas is the story of the Gospel -- that God would come to dwell with His creation in the flesh and blood of that creation in order to reveal Himself to it and redeem it. And as we dwell on the incarnation of Christ today and enjoy family and friends, it's important to note that the story of the manger is also the story of the cross. Jesus Christ was born to save us.

Philippians 2 is one of the greatest passages of Scripture about the incarnation. In its words we see the temporal progression of Jesus Christ from His pre-eternal existence as God with the Father and Spirit, to the humble taking on of human flesh, to His death on the cross and finally His exaltation after the cross. Jesus Christ became like us so that He might die in our place and offer Himself as our Savior. This is the message of Christmas just as much as it is Easter.

The Christmas Story we proclaim typically begins at the manger but it does not end until long after the cross. It is the Gospel Story, the good news that watchmen looked for in the Old Testament. It is the light that would shine in a darkened world, the peace that that would quell the storm that arises in every man's heart, and the joy that sets his feet dancing. The incarnation of Jesus Christ means life.

And it's a story worth telling every day.

Be God's and Merry Christmas!

Advent: The Virgin Birth

Advent Week 4, Day 4

Light all three purple candles and the pink candle
Read Luke 1:26-38

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

"Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus."

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Why a virgin? Why did God choose to bring His Son into the world through a young and innocent maiden? Many people have tried to explain the birth of Jesus without acknowledging the virginity of Mary. They try to say that Jesus could have still been God if he came from the union of Joseph and Mary. After all, a virgin pregnancy and birth cannot happen, can it?

But Isaiah 7:14 prophesied that a virgin -- which could also be translated "an innocent young maiden" -- would be with child and that child would be "God with us," which is "Immanuel." A virgin would become pregnant. Even Mary knew how miraculous and unconventional this was. It was one of many miracles God worked in the earthly life of Jesus.

There could be many reasons given for the necessity of the virgin birth but any and all would only distract us from the miracle itself. Joseph's part in this tale was not to be as biological father. Mary alone was to give flesh to the Son of God. There must be no confusion about it.

The virgin birth was an act of God that no man could claim. It is truly another marvelous mystery we celebrate each Christmas.

Be God's.

Advent: The Blessed Mystery

Advent: Week 4, Day 3
Read: Colossians 1:15-22; 2:9-15

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation." (21-22)

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form..." (2:9)

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The nature of Jesus has been one of the most debated topics in the history of mankind since the calendar turned from B.C. to A.D. Who was Jesus? Was he a man? Was He God? If so, how much of each? Were there two personalities or just one?

What a mystery the incarnation is. And it is a mystery that will never be fully explained this side of heaven. Even Bible scholars and theologians have trouble explaining it. Through the years of the Church, many have tried to explain the nature of Jesus Christ out of honesty and good intent but instead have developed theologies that make Him one or the other, God or man, but not both.

Scripture tells us that God dwelt fully in the person of Jesus. He was called the Father's "Son" in the Gospels and said to be the "exact representation" of the Father (Heb. 1:1-2). But He was also born of the womb of Mary, a human, and had every appearance of humanity -- down to His need for food and sleep. And when He was resurrected, He showed up in the flesh before His disciples. He ate and interacted with them. And He ascended to heaven in the human body He possessed.

So Scripture makes the case that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. He was BOTH and not OR. It is the mystery of Christmas, Easter and every day in between. We're not asked to explain the person of Jesus, only to believe in Him and follow Him. Can you set aside your desire to explain everything and live a life of faith? Can you celebrate the mystery alongside the revelation? I'll leave you with the words to my song, "Mystery," which tries to celebrate this dual nature of Christ.

Be God's.


MYSTERY

We had wandered from the Garden, like an arrow flown astray
Sin divided, hell had conquered, each had followed his own way
But in our moaning, in our suff’ring, there was One who saw our pain
His holy angels cried out "Glory!" A Savior has been born this day

Oh, the mystery of incarnate deity!
The Son of God could be, become like you and me?
He left His heavenly throne, to make our earth His home
Oh, the mystery! Of Christ the newborn King

Though He dwelt in holy glory, the Son of God, He left His place
Humbly to come as a little baby so we could see His Father’s face
He who was sinless learned obedience, and was tempted in every way
Suffering shame, despised, rejected; the Son of Man, He overcame

So come ye wanton, come ye thirsty, come to the well and drink of this:
That God immortal, is a God of mercy, who cares to care for our lowliness

Advent: Like Us in Every Way

Advent: Week 4, Day 2

Light all three purple candles and the pink candle.
Read: Hebrews 2:10-18

"Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation (atonement) for the sins of the people." (2:14-15, 17)

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Every year, once a year, the high priest of Israel would stand before the people and slaughter a bull to offer its blood before the Lord as a sin offering for the people. The high priest would offer blood for two reasons: first, to atone for his own personal sins and, second, to atone for the past sins of the nation. The Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, was the day in which the fate of the nation was placed in the hands of one man -- a mediator -- as he went before God.

Jesus Christ had to take on flesh and blood so that He could be a mediator between men and God the Father, the Righteous Judge of all. The people He was to represent on the cross needed to be people He fully related to in order for Him to be a substitute for them.

The logical (if it can be called logical) thought process went like this: Man was sinful so blood had to be shed to atone. No mortal man could be sinless and, thus, be a capable substitute. Only God was holy. So God had to shed His own blood. To do this, He had to take on flesh and blood just like a man. He had to be made like us in every way. So He decided to take on flesh in the same way normal men did -- from conception in the womb. In that way, he fully experienced the depth of humanity (and also the death of humanity).

Even more, the author of Hebrews tells us in chapter 2, Jesus chose to be like us in our day-to-day experiences so that He could relate to us in our day-to-day experiences. He was tempted in every way yet was without sin. He overcame so that we could overcome through following His example.

Jesus Christ is not only our Lord in His eternal deity but He is also our brother in His humanity. He considers us brothers, too, as crazy as that sounds. The only way He can do this is to be like us in every human way, and the incarnation accomplished that in a mysterious, grand way.

Be God's.

Advent Week 4: God Made Flesh

Advent: Week 4, Day 1

Light all three purple candles and then the pink candle.

The pink candle represents Christ's humanity. That God, the Almighty Spirit, could set aside some of the perks of deity to take on human flesh and blood is a mystery that no philosopher or detective can solve. It is the mystery of the "incarnation," a fancy word that simply means "to become flesh." God's Son became flesh so that he might live as one of us and die as one of us. However, even though He was human in form, Jesus never ceased to be fully God, either in nature or function. It's a mystery! But one to be celebrated, to be sure. So that's what we will do this week leading up to Christmas Day on Thursday.

Read: Isaiah 7:14, 40:1-11

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel." (Isa 7:14)

"Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" (40:9)

"Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" (John 1:35-36)

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Even the most devout Jew knew that there would be a great prophet coming one day to lead Israel. They knew he would be of the line of David; ruling with David's might, and would fight on the Lord's behalf for Israel. He would be a prophet like Moses. And the power of the Lord would be with him.

But little did they know that this messiah would be none other than God Himself. The incarnation of Jesus Christ still remains one of the universe's great mysteries, perhaps second only to the triune nature of God. How could God Himself fulfill all the prophecies concerning the messiah? How could He become flesh? And why would He choose to do that?

Isaiah 7:14 and 40:9 are among many glimpses of the incarnation in the Old Testament. In Isaiah 40, here is the great herald, later identified as John the Baptist, proclaiming that the consolation of Israel had arrived and He is standing right in front of them. He does not say, "Here is your messiah!" He said, "Here is your God!" God Himself would save Israel. He would come with power and grace and be both a shepherd AND a lamb.

This week we will briefly explore various aspects of the incarnation leading to Christmas Day. There is more material in the Scriptures than we have time but perhaps the greatest treasures exploring the incarnation can be found in Hebrews 2:14-18, Philippians 2:1-9 and Colossians 1:15-22. God became just like us so He could fully redeem us and act as our intercessor and advocate. It is the marvelous mystery of the incarnation that we celebrate every Christmas.

We start with the Old Testament revelation that God would come in person today. Tomorrow we'll explore the incarnation further.

Be God's.

Advent: A Joy That is Pure

Advent: Week 3, Day 7

Light all three purple candles.
Read: Isaiah 51:11, Rev 21:1-4

"Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away." (Isa. 51:11)

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Rev 21:3-4)

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There is little worse than being far away from home but having no choice but to stay far from home. There's no going back -- at least not anytime soon -- and all that you feel is distant and lonely.

That's the was it was for the exiled Jews of the 500's B.C. They were in Babylon and Persia, a thousand miles or more away from home, and with little hope of going back home. But God gives them a glimmer of hope in Isaiah 51. He says that the people will be redeemed, indeed, ransomed, from exile and would return to their land with joyful singing. Everlasting joy would adorn them and worry and sorrow would be far away. What a beautiful picture!

The same is true for the believer in Jesus Christ. Because of the Babe in the manger, our Lord, we will have a homecoming that is just as wonderful. And joy will adorn us just as it adorned the Jews of old. Revelation 21 paints the picture of a new heaven and new earth -- a place where God dwells in person with man. A place where we can experience everlasting joy. There will be no more crying, no more pain. No more hurtful words, no more shame. But God Himself will wipe every tear from every eye. In other words, it will be joy purified.

Joy may be an emotion that we experience here on earth as well as a state of mind but it is also a promise. A promise that what is hurtful and wrong here on earth will one day fade away and what remains will not be regret but instead joy. A pure joy that allows us to celebrate from pure hearts and enjoy the pure presence of our pure and sovereign Lord.

Don't you long for that day?

Be God's.