Advent Highlight #2
The season of Advent is upon us. We often find ourselves in hopeful anticipation of all of the gatherings, traveling, gift giving and receiving, and favorite family traditions. With all the hustle and bustle we can easily forget why we’re doing what we’re doing and who are we to be focused on the most. Reminders to look to again to Jesus are needed for us all.
In Luke 7, John the Baptist, hearing of the reports of the miracles Jesus was doing early in His ministry, sent messengers to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?”
What would spur on such a question from John the Baptist? Perhaps at that point, being in jail, John was maybe a little discouraged that things were not going as he might have anticipated. John’s understanding of Jesus being the Anointed One may have brought thoughts of Jesus beginning to restore Jerusalem, the city, and kingdom back in Israel. But that didn’t seem to be happening the way he and even the disciples anticipated things happening. What they had imagined to happen would happen but in a more profound and marvelous way than they could have ever hoped. First, however, would have to come the cross. John and others would need encouragement as they patiently waited for God to fulfill all His promises.
After John’s disciples left and asked the question, Jesus responded with encouragement to trust Him by showing them and all who were in the crowds who He was. Luke records, “In that very hour Jesus did many miracles, healing of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight.” Afterwards Jesus quoted portions from the prophet Isaiah chapter 35 (below) and chapter 61.
Jesus was showing everyone that He is “the one” whom Isaiah prophesied about. It would be through Him that all that has been broken and made lame would be restored.
Have we forgotten who Jesus is and what He has done? Are we, like John, anticipating different outcomes and circumstances than the present plan God is working in us and have become discouraged? Does it sometimes feel like things around or in us that are broken will never change? Has your awe of Christ grown dull? Call out to Jesus and ask Him to show you again who He is.
Just as with John, we too need reminders when we forget, confirmations when we’re discouraged, or a gracious poke when we’re stuck on hoping for things to happen our way. We need to be sent to see Jesus and ask Him to confirm in our hearts again what is true of Him and His plan to restore broken sinners back to Himself. Our great God is still in the business of opening the eyes of those blind to see Him and raising the dead unto life by faith in Him. He is doing these great miracles all around us even now, Praise the Lord!
As a catalyst for conversations around our Savior in the home or with fellow brothers and sisters, we’ve put out an Advent Bible reading plan for the month of December on the welcome table. It will lead you to see the fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ all throughout Scripture. Make sure to grab one of those. I encourage you to also check out the 3 advent books we have in the Resource Center: The Dawning of Indestructible Joy by Piper, From Heaven: a 28 day Advent Devotional by A.W. Tozer, and Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair Ferguson. Other resources that come to mind are The Coming of the King by J.C. Ryle, Everyday Gospel Christmas Devotional by Paul Tripp, and one that my family and I like to go through with our young kiddos is Prepare Him Room by Marty Machowski. All these are helpful resources that keep our minds on Christ this Christmas.
Please don’t miss the wonder, awe, treasure, and glory of Christ afresh this season.
Looking to Jesus,
Pastor Paul
In Luke 7, John the Baptist, hearing of the reports of the miracles Jesus was doing early in His ministry, sent messengers to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?”
What would spur on such a question from John the Baptist? Perhaps at that point, being in jail, John was maybe a little discouraged that things were not going as he might have anticipated. John’s understanding of Jesus being the Anointed One may have brought thoughts of Jesus beginning to restore Jerusalem, the city, and kingdom back in Israel. But that didn’t seem to be happening the way he and even the disciples anticipated things happening. What they had imagined to happen would happen but in a more profound and marvelous way than they could have ever hoped. First, however, would have to come the cross. John and others would need encouragement as they patiently waited for God to fulfill all His promises.
After John’s disciples left and asked the question, Jesus responded with encouragement to trust Him by showing them and all who were in the crowds who He was. Luke records, “In that very hour Jesus did many miracles, healing of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight.” Afterwards Jesus quoted portions from the prophet Isaiah chapter 35 (below) and chapter 61.
Isaiah 35:5-6: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy…”
Jesus was showing everyone that He is “the one” whom Isaiah prophesied about. It would be through Him that all that has been broken and made lame would be restored.
Have we forgotten who Jesus is and what He has done? Are we, like John, anticipating different outcomes and circumstances than the present plan God is working in us and have become discouraged? Does it sometimes feel like things around or in us that are broken will never change? Has your awe of Christ grown dull? Call out to Jesus and ask Him to show you again who He is.
Just as with John, we too need reminders when we forget, confirmations when we’re discouraged, or a gracious poke when we’re stuck on hoping for things to happen our way. We need to be sent to see Jesus and ask Him to confirm in our hearts again what is true of Him and His plan to restore broken sinners back to Himself. Our great God is still in the business of opening the eyes of those blind to see Him and raising the dead unto life by faith in Him. He is doing these great miracles all around us even now, Praise the Lord!
As a catalyst for conversations around our Savior in the home or with fellow brothers and sisters, we’ve put out an Advent Bible reading plan for the month of December on the welcome table. It will lead you to see the fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ all throughout Scripture. Make sure to grab one of those. I encourage you to also check out the 3 advent books we have in the Resource Center: The Dawning of Indestructible Joy by Piper, From Heaven: a 28 day Advent Devotional by A.W. Tozer, and Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair Ferguson. Other resources that come to mind are The Coming of the King by J.C. Ryle, Everyday Gospel Christmas Devotional by Paul Tripp, and one that my family and I like to go through with our young kiddos is Prepare Him Room by Marty Machowski. All these are helpful resources that keep our minds on Christ this Christmas.
Please don’t miss the wonder, awe, treasure, and glory of Christ afresh this season.
Looking to Jesus,
Pastor Paul
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