Saturday, December 18, 2010
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezekiel 13-15 and James 3
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezekiel 13-15 and James 3
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 2:10-13 (ESV); And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Psalm 130:7-8 (NIV); Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.
Unbeknownst to the bustling town of Bethlehem, the Redeemer had come to Zion. The long awaited “Root of David” who would save the people from their sins had arrived in simplicity. These words – Savior and Christ (the Messiah) – would have struck a chord with any Jewish follower, though the shepherds likely did not comprehend the magnitude of the words “the Lord”. The baby born on this night was actually God incarnate!
Imagine the spectacle of this happening - thousands of heavenly beings filling the sky and praising God with this great proclamation! What a sight to behold! What an unfathomable event for the lowly shepherds to witness! The angel had appeared specifically to them to relay the message of the Lord, but the multitude of heavenly hosts came in a surge of acclamation to the Lord. This was no longer a declaration to the shepherds, but a supernatural chorus of awe-filled jubilation to Almighty God. Since creation, the heavenly armies had expectantly awaited the birth of Christ alongside God Himself. The time had come.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Read the verses again and imagine what it would have been like to be present at this event. What do you find incredible? Take a chunk of time to meditate on the words of the multitude. God was actually offering lasting peace to the hearts of all people! Use these words to declare praise to God today.
2. How do you need to grab hold of the angel’s words today?
3. How can you proclaim this message of hope and redemption to those around you today and be an active deliverer of great news?
