1 Samuel 16:1-13
In this account, we learn how David was chosen to be the King of Israel. Of Jesse's sons, he was the least likely to be chosen. In fact, Jesse didn't even bring him along to meet Samuel. Once all of Jesse's other son's were rejected by God, Samuel asked for David to be brought before him. God saw something in David that no one else saw. Because of what God saw in David's heart, he instructed Samuel to anoint David as the future King of Israel.
God does work in mysterious ways. Sometimes I think he chooses the least likely in order to show us the greatest miracles. Not only are we awed at David's greatness as King, but we are also awed by his humble beginnings. All of David's greatness rose out of nothing spectacular which allows us to see the hand of God in David's life.
David's humble beginnings were a foreshadowing of how Christ would come into the world. During the point in history right before Christ was born, Israel was waiting for a Messiah whom they thought would free them from foreign rule. They wanted a political leader. They wanted a military leader. They wanted a way out of the tyranny that ruled their lives. They never expected that Christ would come in the way he came. They never expected for him to be born in a stable. They did not look for him to be a carpenter's son. They did not notice God in their midst as Jesus taught about love, peace and kindness. Some even got angry when he revealed his identity because he wasn't the person they expected him to be. How could this man be our savior? He is not like us. He is not the one we want to lead us out of this miserable existence under foreign rule. Since he is not who we expect him to be, then he must not be Christ.
How many times has this same scenario played out in our lives? How many times have we gone to God with our petitions only to be met with a solution we did not expect or want? How many times have we encountered people whom we thought were problematic but were really the people who gave us the most solutions? How many times have we tried to do something our way only to be shot down and given a new way to proceed? How many people have we dismissed before we have really given a chance to find out who they really are? Sometimes I wonder if I let Christ slip through my fingers. Sometimes I wonder if he is standing right in front of me but I don't see him because he doesn't look like the person I imagine him to be.
Lord, open my eyes to your face. Open my heart to your love. Open my mind to your ways. Open my ears to your voice. Help me to find you in all the people who cross my path. Teach me to see how you see.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
The Messiah of Israel
Matthew 1:1-17
In this passage, Matthew outlines the lineage of Jesus to show how he is both a son of Abraham, son of David and Messiah of Israel. It is important for us to understand Jesus' lineage so that we see how the promises made to Abraham and David are kept in the person of Jesus. Because of these kept promises, we know that Jesus truly is the Messiah brought forth from God's chosen people.
We must appreciate all the people who are counted in Jesus' linage. God used them all in instrumental ways in order to bring forth his Son for our salvation. It is important to know who Jesus comes from and how they prepared for his coming. Knowing the heritage of God's chosen people prepares us for a closer and richer life with the Messiah.
Binz asks a great question following his commentary: Who were the people most responsible for bringing Christ to me? That is a great question to reflect upon. In my Protestant upbringing, we did not study the lives of the Saints. We did not study any history of the Church outside of the bible. So, although I have a lot of biblical knowledge, I do not know about all the people and miracles and history that has happened since the apostles walked on this earth. And I should because those are the people who have brought us the Church. They passed the torch. Through their blood, sweat and tears, we can come to know Jesus and take part in this rich, beautiful existence full of love and hope. Therefore owe it to them to know their stories. We owe it to our selves to know how the faith made it to us 2000 years after Christ walked on this earth and gave his life for our sins. Our lives will be fuller, richer and closer to God for knowing who passed us the torch.
I realize that I sort of side-stepped the real question: Who were the people most responsible for bringing Christ to ME? That is a more complicated question. It was a lot of people. Some of them probably have no idea how much their lives or stories or gestures impacted me along my faith journey. Although they are people from different Christian denominations, they all have something in common- they have allowed Jesus to work in their lives so that he may touch other hearts. I pray that I can do the same.
Lord, show me where you have yet to live in my heart. Show me the dark places that have yet to see your light. My heart is yours. I pray that when others look at me, they will not see me. But rather see you. Use me, Lord. I am your candle. You are my flame.
In this passage, Matthew outlines the lineage of Jesus to show how he is both a son of Abraham, son of David and Messiah of Israel. It is important for us to understand Jesus' lineage so that we see how the promises made to Abraham and David are kept in the person of Jesus. Because of these kept promises, we know that Jesus truly is the Messiah brought forth from God's chosen people.
We must appreciate all the people who are counted in Jesus' linage. God used them all in instrumental ways in order to bring forth his Son for our salvation. It is important to know who Jesus comes from and how they prepared for his coming. Knowing the heritage of God's chosen people prepares us for a closer and richer life with the Messiah.
Binz asks a great question following his commentary: Who were the people most responsible for bringing Christ to me? That is a great question to reflect upon. In my Protestant upbringing, we did not study the lives of the Saints. We did not study any history of the Church outside of the bible. So, although I have a lot of biblical knowledge, I do not know about all the people and miracles and history that has happened since the apostles walked on this earth. And I should because those are the people who have brought us the Church. They passed the torch. Through their blood, sweat and tears, we can come to know Jesus and take part in this rich, beautiful existence full of love and hope. Therefore owe it to them to know their stories. We owe it to our selves to know how the faith made it to us 2000 years after Christ walked on this earth and gave his life for our sins. Our lives will be fuller, richer and closer to God for knowing who passed us the torch.
I realize that I sort of side-stepped the real question: Who were the people most responsible for bringing Christ to ME? That is a more complicated question. It was a lot of people. Some of them probably have no idea how much their lives or stories or gestures impacted me along my faith journey. Although they are people from different Christian denominations, they all have something in common- they have allowed Jesus to work in their lives so that he may touch other hearts. I pray that I can do the same.
Lord, show me where you have yet to live in my heart. Show me the dark places that have yet to see your light. My heart is yours. I pray that when others look at me, they will not see me. But rather see you. Use me, Lord. I am your candle. You are my flame.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Burning with Anticipation
Luke 12: 35-48
In this passage, Jesus tells two parables, both of which illustrate the importance of being prepared for his coming. The part of the passage that struck me the most was this: "From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded." In other words, those who are in the positions to lead and guide others on their spiritual journeys need to be the most ready and prepared. They will be held more accountable than someone who is ignorant of the faith. In the back of my mind, I always thought that was true. If you are going to do the talking, then you better be doing the walking. And I try to live that way. However, it is HARD. Life really gets in the way. It is a tall order not only to teach about the Christian way of life, but also to live that life. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I need to change. It can be discouraging. It is kind of like Jesus slowly revealing my reflection in the mirror. Which kind of brings the whole experience to a different place because the more hideous I realize my reflection is, the more I learn about the unconditional and divine love of God. Not only does he love my hideous self, he thinks I am to die for. How awesome is that?
So, those of us who do teach about the love, awe and wonder of God need to be the most prepared. We need to be more prepared than we think. We need to be willing to look in that mirror and see our sinful, hideous reflections and work to make ourselves better. Because we don't want to meet our bridegroom wearing all that sin. It is time to purge. It is time to take off the pride, envy, lust, and selfish desires and ask Jesus to clean our souls. It is time to walk the talk. It is time to live each day as if it were our last. And we must not be fearful of that last day, but rather joyful. Because, on that day, all our desires will be met in the person of Christ. If we are prepared for that day, we will have taken off all of our sin so that we can put on the white robe that he washed in his blood and then take us to meet his Mother and Father.
Lord, show me who I really am. Reveal to me how I need to change so that you may be glorified in me. My life is yours. I live for you. Show me how to really live.
In this passage, Jesus tells two parables, both of which illustrate the importance of being prepared for his coming. The part of the passage that struck me the most was this: "From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded." In other words, those who are in the positions to lead and guide others on their spiritual journeys need to be the most ready and prepared. They will be held more accountable than someone who is ignorant of the faith. In the back of my mind, I always thought that was true. If you are going to do the talking, then you better be doing the walking. And I try to live that way. However, it is HARD. Life really gets in the way. It is a tall order not only to teach about the Christian way of life, but also to live that life. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I need to change. It can be discouraging. It is kind of like Jesus slowly revealing my reflection in the mirror. Which kind of brings the whole experience to a different place because the more hideous I realize my reflection is, the more I learn about the unconditional and divine love of God. Not only does he love my hideous self, he thinks I am to die for. How awesome is that?
So, those of us who do teach about the love, awe and wonder of God need to be the most prepared. We need to be more prepared than we think. We need to be willing to look in that mirror and see our sinful, hideous reflections and work to make ourselves better. Because we don't want to meet our bridegroom wearing all that sin. It is time to purge. It is time to take off the pride, envy, lust, and selfish desires and ask Jesus to clean our souls. It is time to walk the talk. It is time to live each day as if it were our last. And we must not be fearful of that last day, but rather joyful. Because, on that day, all our desires will be met in the person of Christ. If we are prepared for that day, we will have taken off all of our sin so that we can put on the white robe that he washed in his blood and then take us to meet his Mother and Father.
Lord, show me who I really am. Reveal to me how I need to change so that you may be glorified in me. My life is yours. I live for you. Show me how to really live.
Introduction
Advent is a season of anticipation. It is a season of preparation. We anticipate and prepare for the coming of Christ. This season, it is my desire to prepare myself spiritually. I usually spend many hours decorating, buying gifts, sending cards, attending parties, baking, wrapping and preparing for house guests. And in all this preparation, I tend to loose sight of what I should really be preparing for. So, I have decided to take a little time each day and study the word of God. I am using Advent Light by Stephen J. Binz. Through this study, I hope to take a break from the madness and prepare my spirit for Christ which is the real meaning of this season.
You are welcome to join me on this adventure. Please feel free to leave your comments. May you be as touched by the word of God this advent as I hope to be.
You are welcome to join me on this adventure. Please feel free to leave your comments. May you be as touched by the word of God this advent as I hope to be.
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