Saturday, December 31, 2011

Who is He that from His Throne

Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you." And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. Matthew 28:1-8

God's mighty power raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Christ conquered death once and for all. God was satisfied with Jesus' sacrifice and so brought Him back to life, to live forever and be seated at His right hand. Just as he healed people's sickness in His earthly ministry, He heals our sin-sickness by His death and resurrection.

Through His sacrifice and resurrection, we are justified. When God looks at me, instead of a sinner, He sees the righteousness of Christ!

Death has now lost its sting forever! Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we have the hope of everlasting life. If you have trusted Christ as your Savior, you don't need to fear death, because our physical death is only the beginning of our eternal life in heaven with God and Jesus!

Christ is our living Lord AND our coming King! He has told us that He went to prepare a place for us. He has promised that He will return to earth to claim His own.

And He is our King who from His throne rules through all the world alone.

Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever." Revelation 11:15

We have confidence that God is sovereign over all, including over Christ's triumphant return - and we trust Him to bring it about in His perfect time. Until then, we live our lives full of adoration and praise, worshiping our Sovereign Father; to Him be honor and eternal dominion!

I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time--He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. I Timothy 6:13-16


Who is He in Yonder Stall?
Words by Benjamin Hanby

Who is He in yonder stall
At whose feet the shepherds fall?
Who is He in deep distress,
Fasting in the wilderness?


Refrain
’Tis the Lord! O wondrous story!
’Tis the Lord! the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He the people bless
For His words of gentleness?
Who is He to whom they bring
All the sick and sorrowing?


Who is He that stands and weeps
At the grave where Lazarus sleeps?
Who is He the gathering throng
Greet with loud triumphant song?


Lo! at midnight, who is He
Prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?

Who is He that from the grave
Comes to heal and help and save?
Who is He that from His throne
Rules through all the world alone?

Friday, December 30, 2011

Who is He who Prays in Dark Gethsamane

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." Matthew 26:36

We can learn much from Jesus and His last hours before His crucifixion. In the last week of Jesus’ life on earth, He had just finished His last Passover, and had instructed His disciples to remember Him by breaking bread together, instituting the Lord’s Supper. Most of us know how the story continues: His disciples went with Him to Gethsemane, and Jesus told them to wait while He went away to pray. During this time, the disciples fall asleep, and Jesus comes and instructs them to watch and pray, so that they will not enter into temptation. But, you guessed it, they fall asleep again. It is here in the Garden of Gethsemane that Jesus prays this specific prayer three times:

"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." Matt. 26:39

I’ve heard some commentaries about the Garden of Gethsemane and how it would have been possible for Jesus to get away from His pursuers at this point. But He didn’t. He knew that God would not take this cup away from Him. He was in conflict, so much so, that His sweat actually turned to blood. And what did He do? He prayed.

We can learn from Him how to pray when we face the tempter’s power, when we are in conflict, and in grief. Jesus faced all of this that night, and He turned to His Father in prayer. I’ve addressed prayer before in this blog – it is our great privilege to go before our Heavenly Father in prayer – to humbly bow before Him and seek His will – notice that’s what Jesus did. “Not as I will, but as you will.” Sometimes that’s a very difficult prayer to pray. God’s will is not always our will. But God uses our time in prayer and in studying His Word to bend our hearts to His will.

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. Col. 4:2

The story goes on: Jesus was betrayed by Judas, arrested, taken before Caiaphas, beaten, questioned by Pilate, and mocked. He was arraigned for a crime He didn’t commit – He took our sin as His own. He suffered for us.

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. Hebrews 5:8

Because of His suffering for us, we can learn from Him. We learn to bear the cross. Many of us suffer, in fact, it’s the only thing guaranteed in our lives. Paul encourages us:

For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. II Corinthians 1:5

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. II Timothy 1:12

We will suffer, no question about it – but our suffering is a time of being made more like Jesus. When we learn to bear the cross, we learn to obey, to be humble, to be selfless, and to trust in the One who healed our wounds through His death. Peter exhorts us that we have been called for this purpose!

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. I Peter 2:21-24

Our story doesn’t end with Jesus betrayal and arraignment. They hung Him on the cross, and He suffered physical pain and agony for many hours before giving up His spirit. He died.

Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. John 19:30-34

We learn from Jesus Christ to die. Jesus physically died. And He calls us to die to our fleshly desires, and to live for Him.

Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. Romans 7:4

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal. 5:24

So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Col. 3:3

Who is He on yonder tree who dies in grief and agony? 'Tis the Lord, o wondrous story! But it's not the end of the story. There's one more very important verse in this hymn....


Who is He in Yonder Stall?
Words by Benjamin Hanby

Who is He in yonder stall
At whose feet the shepherds fall?
Who is He in deep distress,
Fasting in the wilderness?


Refrain
’Tis the Lord! O wondrous story!
’Tis the Lord! the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He the people bless
For His words of gentleness?
Who is He to whom they bring
All the sick and sorrowing?


Who is He that stands and weeps
At the grave where Lazarus sleeps?
Who is He the gathering throng
Greet with loud triumphant song?


Lo! at midnight, who is He
Prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?

Who is He that from the grave
Comes to heal and help and save?
Who is He that from His throne
Rules through all the world alone?

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Who is He that Stands and Weeps

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

I think one of the best illustrations of Jesus' humanity AND deity is the story of Lazarus' death and resurrection.

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” John 11:1-3

Clearly, Jesus loved Lazarus. And we would expect that upon hearing these words, Jesus would do everything in His power to get to Bethany right away. After all, He is the One who heals the sick! But that's not what happens.

But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. John 11:4-6

Wow - these verses seem to be contradictory, don't they? At least to our human way of thinking. Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus (who is very sick) and so he STAYS in the place where He was... Hmmm. It does seem contradictory, until we realize what Jesus said at the beginning of that section - He tells the people with Him that this sickness is to bring glory to God and that it won't end in death.

This He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.” The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.” John 11:11-15

Lazarus is dead. And what Jesus will do next will show His humanity and His deity, bring tremendous glory to God and bring many people to faith in His Son.

Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?” John 11:32-37

Clearly, Mary and Martha are disappointed that Jesus didn't come earlier since they know He could have saved Lazarus. And when Jesus sees Mary weeping, and all the people weeping with her, He is moved and troubled. When He sees where Lazarus is laid, our Lord weeps. (Humanity!) The Jews realize that this display of emotion shows how much Jesus loves Lazarus. But they wonder why this Healer didn't prevent His death - clearly they knew He had the power to do that.

So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, "Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
John 11:38-44

Jesus brought Lazarus back to life! (Deity!) And He did it so that all the people would believe that He was sent from God. He did it so that God would be glorified in a bigger way than if Jesus had "just" healed Lazarus while he was sick. God's power raised Lazarus from the dead. And because of this, many people believed and put their trust in Him.

Who is He that stands and weeps at the grave where Lazarus sleeps? He is the Lord, the King of Glory!

What can we learn from this story to apply to our lives? For me, it shows that God will choose to bring Himself glory, and may not do something he COULD do, if there's something BETTER He could do to make His name even greater. That doesn't always make sense to us. It didn't make sense to Mary and Martha, who wondered why the Lord didn't come RIGHT AWAY to save their brother. If you're a believer, the Lord is working things out for your good and His glory. But it might not be the way you think it's going to work out. That's because He is God and we are not!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

God has a purpose and a plan and He is working it out. He is the King of Glory.

Who is He in Yonder Stall?
Words by Benjamin Hanby

Who is He in yonder stall
At whose feet the shepherds fall?
Who is He in deep distress,
Fasting in the wilderness?


Refrain
’Tis the Lord! O wondrous story!
’Tis the Lord! the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He the people bless
For His words of gentleness?
Who is He to whom they bring
All the sick and sorrowing?


Who is He that stands and weeps
At the grave where Lazarus sleeps?
Who is He the gathering throng
Greet with loud triumphant song?

Lo! at midnight, who is He
Prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?

Who is He that from the grave
Comes to heal and help and save?
Who is He that from His throne
Rules through all the world alone?

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Who is He the People Bless

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:5

During Jesus' earthly ministry, if there's one thing He was "known" for, it was His miracles. He turned water into wine, healed the sick, and even raised men from the dead. And He didn't just do it once. The gospels are full of accounts of His healing people who were sick. Who is He to whom they bring all the sick and sorrowing? He is the King of glory!

Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23

When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14

While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. Luke 4:40

But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
Luke 5:15

Jesus didn't just heal people physically though. I think an important part of His ministry was how He dealt with people. He was gentle. I believe that His gentleness was another form of healing. Our world is a harsh place. Because of sin, our relationships are difficult and we can get beat up just by being in the world - in the marketplace, at school, and even at home and at church. Jesus was gentle. I'm sure that those whom He interacted with noticed this immediately, and I'm sure that the treatment they received from Him was a sort of healing for their hearts, minds and souls.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus is gentle and humble in heart. When we turn to Him, we find rest in His gentleness. Just as we need that today, the people living in Jesus' time needed it too. The people were waiting for a King to save them, but I'm sure they didn't expect this kind of king.

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “SAY TO THE DAUGHTER OF ZION,‘BEHOLD YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU, GENTLE, AND MOUNTED ON A DONKEY, EVEN ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.’” Matthew 21:4-5

This King came to them in gentleness, surprising the people. Even though you and I aren't kings, I think we can surprise people by interacting with them in gentleness. Our world now is even harsher than in Jesus' time, especially with all the media and other "substitutes" for human interaction. When we are gentle to those we love and to strangers, we show people the character of Jesus. We have been called to this!

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

As God's chosen people, we have a responsibility to fulfill.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Colossians 3:11-12

How can you treat people today with gentleness?

Who is He in Yonder Stall?
Words by Benjamin Hanby

Who is He in yonder stall
At whose feet the shepherds fall?
Who is He in deep distress,
Fasting in the wilderness?


Refrain
’Tis the Lord! O wondrous story!
’Tis the Lord! the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He the people bless
For His words of gentleness?
Who is He to whom they bring
All the sick and sorrowing?

Who is He that stands and weeps
At the grave where Lazarus sleeps?
Who is He the gathering throng
Greet with loud triumphant song?

Lo! at midnight, who is He
Prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?

Who is He that from the grave
Comes to heal and help and save?
Who is He that from His throne
Rules through all the world alone?

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Who is He in Yonder Stall?

He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful. Revelation 17:14

Now that the hustle and bustle of Christmas is (nearly) over, I thought it would be beneficial to spend the next few days thinking about what the birth of Jesus means to us today. Just who is this baby born in a manger? How does His work on earth change who I am? And what is my response?

He is the baby born in a manger in Bethlehem.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

Shepherds left their flocks to go see this new baby, the One who was their King!

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
Luke 2:8-20

Jesus grew up just like the rest of us - day by day, year by year. The Bible reminds us that He grew physically, mentally AND spiritually.

The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Luke 2:40

Just a few verses later, God reminds us again.

And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52

It's important to remember that Jesus was a man - a human being just like you and me. It's important to keep that in mind when we read about some of His experiences on earth. Before His ministry began, He was baptized, and then He spent 40 days alone in the desert.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. Matthew 4:1-2

Our hymn writer asks "Who is He in deep distress, fasting in the wilderness?" Remember, Jesus is a human man in the desert, having had nothing to eat for 40 days or nights. Deep distress is putting it lightly. But Jesus was obeying His Father - the Bible tells that He was LED UP BY THE SPIRIT into the wilderness. And while He was there, Satan tried to undo Him. But, thanks be to God, He could not be undone!

And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” Matthew 4:3-4

Do you see how Jesus responded to the devil? By quoting Scripture! And He does it again!

Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU' and‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’” Matthew 4:5-7

And again!

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” Matthew 4:8-10

Jesus used the Word of God to defeat the devil; and it worked beautifully. And what sweet relief came His way after Satan departed!

Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. Matthew 4:11

Truly, He is the Lord and the King! We humbly fall at His feet and crown Him Lord of ALL!

What can we learn from Jesus through His experience in the wilderness? It certainly shows me how important the Word of God is, and how critical it is that we hide the Word in our hearts so that we might use it to defeat the wily ways of our enemy, the devil.

God told His chosen people that His words should be ever before them.

You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. Deuteronomy 11:14

When we know God's word, and treasure it in our hearts, it prevents us from sinning!

Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11

How?

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

The Word of God has the power to save - and the power to show us our sin. When it dwells in us, we can overcome the devil, bring comfort and encouragement to others as well as strengthen our own faith as we bring His Word to mind.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

Spend some time thinking about how you can you more deeply dwell in the Word of God this year. It might be through focused and regular Bible study or through Scripture memorization. Pray and ask the Lord to guide you and give you the desire to know His Word so that you, like Jesus, can use Scripture every day to grow in wisdom and in the grace of God.


Who is He in Yonder Stall?
Words by Benjamin Hanby

Who is He in yonder stall
At whose feet the shepherds fall?
Who is He in deep distress,
Fasting in the wilderness?

Refrain
’Tis the Lord! O wondrous story!
’Tis the Lord! the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He the people bless
For His words of gentleness?
Who is He to whom they bring
All the sick and sorrowing?

Who is He that stands and weeps
At the grave where Lazarus sleeps?
Who is He the gathering throng
Greet with loud triumphant song?

Lo! at midnight, who is He
Prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?

Who is He that from the grave
Comes to heal and help and save?
Who is He that from His throne
Rules through all the world alone?

Monday, December 12, 2011

Jerusalem, Lift up Thy Voice!

Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news. Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” Isaiah 40:9

Can you imagine what it would have been like to live at the time when Jesus was born? You would have seen all the prophecies coming true before your eyes! The King who had been promised to reign over the land with justice and righteousness would be walking among you!

"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land." Jeremiah 23:5

Can you imagine if you were a Jew in the time of Jesus? They had been waiting and waiting for their Messiah, and here He was! If you were a child, you had heard your parents, grandparents and great grandparents talk about waiting for their deliverer. And what about if you were a Gentile? Jesus came for every tribe and race; He is the Savior of Jews and the Gentiles alike. He was the messenger of truth and grace. Truth and grace were realized through Jesus Christ!

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. John 1:14-17

What if you had been waiting to see how God would keep His promise? God had made a covenant to save His people and He kept His word. God kept His promise by sending Jesus to the earth to die for the sins of the world. God sent salvation that blessed Christmas morn.

And it will be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9

If you had lived at that time, I think you would do as the fourth verse of this old Swedish hymn says, "Let all the world with one accord, now hail the coming of the Lord!"

"Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," declares the LORD. Zechariah 2:10

Jerusalem, Lift up Thy Voice!
Words by Johan Wallin

Jerusalem, lift up thy voice!
Daughter of Zion, now rejoice!
Thy King is come, whose mighty hand
Henceforth shall reign o’er every land.

He comes to every tribe and race,
A Messenger of truth and grace:
With peace He comes from Heaven above
On earth to found His realm of love.

In God’s eternal covenant,
He comes for our salvation sent.
The star of hope moves on before,
And hosts assemble to adore.

Let all the world with one accord
Now hail the coming of the Lord:
Praise to the Prince of heavenly birth
Who bringeth peace to all the earth.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Come, You People of the Promise, verse 3

"I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.”I Kings 6:13

Oftentimes I meditate on God's plan of redemption for His people, and frankly, I am overwhelmed. Overwhelmed that His plan included sending His Son, fully God and fully man, to live on earth among His people.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

God's incarnation, through Jesus, is a great encouragement to me. Jesus was born as a baby, grew up just like other humans, felt the emotions and faced the temptations that we face. Because of this, He can sympathize with us in our weakness. Our Lord knows what it's like to be "us"!

Isaiah prophesied this thousands of years ago.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-8

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. Let's think about that phrase. Zeal is fervor or eager desire for a person, cause or object. I think the Lord of hosts' zeal was for His people, in addition to His Son. Through the birth, life, death and resurrection of His Son, God glorified Himself. He had fervor and eager desire for His people to be saved from their sins, and for His Son to accomplish the plan that He had arranged from the beginning of creation.

God sent His Son to give His people peace and to show Himself the God of justice and righteousness. As His people, we have peace knowing that we have been reconciled with God through His Son. We have peace knowing that our God is working all things for our good and His glory. We have peace knowing that our Savior knows us each by name and has a plan for our lives.

Certainly, our tears have been turned to gladness. Jesus Christ has taken our sin on His shoulders and saved us from the wrath of God. The baby born in a manger, born to die, died that we can live forevermore. We, the ransomed of the Lord, can return and come with joy!

And the ransomed of the LORD will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 35:10

Dear Father,
Thank you for your plan that sent Your Son to earth to pay for the sins of the world. Thank you that Jesus Christ is our peace, and that because of our redemption, we are counted righteous before You. Help us to to be joyful in our appreciation for Emmanuel, God with us. Amen.

Come, You People of the Promise
Words by Joy Patterson

Come, you people of the promise,
Sing for joy! The time is near!
God, the covenant fulfilling,
Soon among us will appear!
As proclaimed in prophet’s story,
Christ will come in humble glory—
God with us, Emmanuel!


Long in darkness we have waited,
Through the shadows made our way,
Gloom and sorrow our companions
As we longed for signs of day—
Great our need for hope and healing,
Some great light our God revealing,
God with us, Emmanuel!


God’s own Son shall dwell among us;
Shadows vanish in that light.
Earth shall know his peace and justice:
Christ who comes shall rule in might.
Let our joy dispel all sadness:
He who comes turns tears to gladness—
God with us, Emmanuel!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Come, You People of the Promise, verse 2

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. Isaiah 9:2

The Israelites had been walking in darkness for many, many years. God had promised that He would send the Light of the World, which His people desperately needed. I think this hymn writer captures the feelings of the people quite eloquently - "gloom and sorrow our companions as we longed for signs of day."

God hadn't abandoned His people! He hadn't forgotten His promise. The people needed hope and healing. I am sure the people who trusted in God with their whole hearts encouraged each other with passages like this from the Psalmist and prophets:

O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant redemption. Psalm 130:7

'For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.' Jeremiah 29:11

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the LORD of hosts.
Micah 4:1-3

Their deliverer was coming!

There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. John 1:9

The Light of the World would be sent to dwell among them, God in flesh, God with us, Emmanuel.

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12

Praise God for sending the Light into our world! And ponder, in this Advent season, how His light is shining through you.


Come, You People of the Promise
Words by Joy Patterson

Come, you people of the promise,
Sing for joy! The time is near!
God, the covenant fulfilling,
Soon among us will appear!
As proclaimed in prophet’s story,
Christ will come in humble glory—
God with us, Emmanuel!


Long in darkness we have waited,
Through the shadows made our way,
Gloom and sorrow our companions
As we longed for signs of day—
Great our need for hope and healing,
Some great light our God revealing,
God with us, Emmanuel!

God’s own Son shall dwell among us;
Shadows vanish in that light.
Earth shall know his peace and justice:
Christ who comes shall rule in might.
Let our joy dispel all sadness:
He who comes turns tears to gladness—
God with us, Emmanuel!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Come, You People of the Promise

In this season of Advent, we remember the people who waited and waited and waited for Jesus' incarnation and we turn our thoughts to His second coming. Sometimes, I feel like we're waiting and waiting and waiting, just like the Israelites before Jesus was born.

This hymn, written in 1994, calls us to think about the Israelites and their waiting, and the promise of Emmanuel, God with us. We'll look at each verse individually as we celebrate His coming and wait for Him to come again.

These people waiting for Jesus were the people of the promise. They were God's chosen people who He had promised to redeem from the time Adam and Eve sinned.

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.” Genesis 3:15

He made a covenant with His people and they knew He was a God who would keep His word.

“O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no god like You in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart." II Chronicles 6:14

God would fulfill His covenant by sending a Savior to deliver His people from their sin, once and for all. They had waited for this Messiah from the time He had been promised just after the beginning of creation.

And His coming had been prophesied over and over again.

It will become a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the LORD because of oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Champion, and He will deliver them. Isaiah 19:20

I think the people of the promise expected their King to come like a King, riding in a chariot, wearing beautiful robes and a jeweled crown. But He came in humble glory: born to a virgin, a helpless baby, both fully God and fully man.

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:26-35

God kept His promise to His people. And He will keep His promise to you. Meditate today on God's promises.

For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. II Cor. 1:20

Come, You People of the Promise
Words by Joy Patterson

Come, you people of the promise,
Sing for joy! The time is near!
God, the covenant fulfilling,
Soon among us will appear!
As proclaimed in prophet’s story,
Christ will come in humble glory—
God with us, Emmanuel!

Long in darkness we have waited,
Through the shadows made our way,
Gloom and sorrow our companions
As we longed for signs of day—
Great our need for hope and healing,
Some great light our God revealing,
God with us, Emmanuel!

God’s own Son shall dwell among us;
Shadows vanish in that light.
Earth shall know his peace and justice:
Christ who comes shall rule in might.
Let our joy dispel all sadness:
He who comes turns tears to gladness—
God with us, Emmanuel!