2 Chronicles 26; Revelation 13; Zechariah 9; John 12

Prophecy foretold:

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
    righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zech 9:9) NIV

Prophecy fulfilled:

¹² The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. ¹³ So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” ¹⁴ And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,

¹⁵ “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
    sitting on a donkey’s colt!”

¹⁶ His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. (John 12:12-16 ESV)

Living on the other side of the cross, we have the advantage of knowing Jesus. While we can read verses in the Old Testament and totally get they were talking about his coming, the people of that day struggled with who Jesus was even though the signs were there:

³⁹ Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,

⁴⁰ “He has blinded their eyes
    and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
    and understand with their heart, and turn,
    and I would heal them.”

⁴¹ Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.(John 12:39-41) ESV

Several years ago, my word for the year was “light.” During the course of that year, my understanding of that word not only changed but deepened my belief. I, too, saw his glory. It was a tough year. Together we walked through dark places that needed his light.

⁴⁶ I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. (John 12:46) ESV

For years I lived in darkness as an unbeliever, not knowing the power Jesus had to change my life. After becoming a believer and walking with him for years, I was finally able to open those places to him. He gave me the courage to visit memories I wanted to forget. They were dark and shrouded in pain. It was like he did radiation on those cancerous memories. His light radiated into the memories, he revealed himself to me in those memories (“I will never leave you nor forsake you”), and the power they had over me was destroyed. Now whenever those memories try to come back all I see is Jesus and his radiant light.

Lord, even before you breathed life into Adam, you had a plan for our redemption. The fall of humanity was no surprise to you. Jesus was always the plan. As I celebrate Christmas, may I sing songs of praise for the God who stepped out of heaven and came into this world as a baby. May I speak of your glory to anyone who will have ears to hear. Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Our Savior, Christ the King. In your name I pray, Amen

Cindy (gardnlady)

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2 Chronicles 21, Zechariah 5, John 8, Revelation 9

¹² Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8

We live in such a dark and cold world. The effects of sin are far reaching and devastating. From physical calamities, pain and suffering to spiritual sin and death, evil fills our world. Car bombings, school shootings, fear of war, the refugee crises….there is no lack of darkness in the world around us. Though our world seems out of control and darker than ever, the darkness was present thousands of years ago just as it does today. Humans have always searched for something greater.

At Christmas time we celebrate the Creator of light who has become the shining light for us in a cold and dark world. He is our hope and brings peace to our hearts among the pain and suffering of life. Jesus is the Bright Morning Star who came down to earth to be born- God incarnate; Emmanuel, God with us. It is in following him and abiding in him that we not only receive life but are set free from the power of sin in our lives.

Jesus created light when there was only darkness. Jesus then stepped into darkness, coming to earth two thousand years ago to bring us hope. And Jesus will return again and bring peace forevermore for those who trust in him. This season and every season, may we remember the true meaning of Christmas when love came down from heaven bringing light into a dark and weary land. May the light of Jesus’ love fill your hearts and minds this Christmas as you celebrate his birth.

 

 

2 Chronicles 22, 23; Revelation 10; Zechariah 6; John 9

What others say …

³ Ahaziah also followed the evil example of King Ahab’s family, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong. ⁴ He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as Ahab’s family had done. They even became his advisers after the death of his father, and they led him to ruin. 2 Chronicles 22:3-4 NLT.

What God says …

a priest brings people back under God through obedience; prophecy; rebuilding for the Lord; a blind man sees.

Sometimes the differences between the two can cause a great division of opinion.

¹⁶ Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them. John 9:16 NLT.

People might call “treason” when the boat of familiarity and habit gets rocked. Friendships can sever when one follows the Lord and the other follows the crowd. I’ve seen this from various angles in my own life.

A few years ago I read a book by Andy Stanley called The Principle of the Path. In it, he explains how we reach a destination, not by accident, but by a series of steps taken on purpose. The end result may be far from where we planned to be when we started out, but it should come as no surprise when we examine the choices we’ve made that lead us there.

It’s always good to examine myself: who are my influences; where am I weak; what are the choices I’m making and where are they taking me (in health, in my family, in my walk with the Lord)?

Lord, help me to see, and to change. I want to be attuned to your voice.

Courtney (66books365)