Wisdom in the New Year

 

[Jesus said] And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:25–37 ESV)

 

Wisdom… highly sought, and seldom fully attained. Our reading today is such a wonderful lesson to be learned and practiced. A “lawyer,” that is to say a trained rabbi who specialized in the laws of Judaism, came to Jesus, with what seems to be a straight-forward question: “Good teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” I can imagine Jesus smiling a bit, knowing that the answer the man wanted and the one he was about to get were vastly different. Jesus answers with a question: “What is written in the Law?” The lawyer gives the standard interpretation of attaining eternal life: “Love your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” Really! No one, with the slightest bit of personal honesty, could claim to have lived up to that command!

 

The lawyer then tries a different approach. He never wanted to have an answer from Jesus. His actions were designed to trick Jesus into an error and thus discredit Himself. So, he asks a second question, “And, who is our neighbor?” I must confess I’ve tried that a time or two by saying something like “I can love them, but I don’t have to like them.” Actually, you do.

 

The Apostle Paul said, "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity" (cf. Colossians 4:5). God often presents us with opportunities to minister, but we often let them slip by because we're not wise enough to see them for what they are. God often places good works before us in the form of opportunities to share our faith with people who are outside the faith. But we need to be wise and willing enough to make the most of those opportunities. I’ve discovered that a lot of the time these opportunities come from experiences with people I wouldn’t ordinarily “like.” You know… these are the people that we simply cannot agree with on most anything. Yet, those people are created by God. He loves all His creation. Who are we to decide who should and shouldn’t hear and receive the grace of God through our works?

 

As this year draws to a close and we enter a new year, we need to remember that each new day brings opportunities to serve the Lord and express our faith to others, sometimes in strange and different situations.

 

Hope for the New Year

 

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. (Psalm 25:1–5 ESV).

 

We will welcome the beginning of a new year in just four days! For some this is very good news. This past year may have been very challenging for you. In fact, it may be that you look back and think, “I’m sure glad that’s over!” Regardless of past circumstances, we all look forward in hope to a new year filled with potential. However, if we do not know the source of hope, we may be very disappointed. It is through Scripture that we find God in Jesus meeting our deepest needs. So, it is in looking toward Jesus—the Savior who has come and who now reigns in heaven until the day he will come again, that we may find that unshakeable hope for the future.

 

The Apostle John saw that when he was given the Revelation of Jesus. Words can only begin to describe the power and glory of the ascended Savior. He is the Lord of life. John describes Jesus as standing in long flowing robes. Long robes were worn by royalty, or at times of celebration. They were a sign of victory, security, and work completed. A person fleeing danger or a worker could not be encumbered with a long robe. But Christ stands in flowing robes (cf. Revelation 1:4-15).

 

There is no threat to his kingdom; his redemptive work is fully accomplished. Children of this victorious King have eternal security. As we enter the New Year, may we all declare, “My only comfort in life and in death is that I belong to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ!”

 

Don't Miss This!

 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. (Jeremiah 29:11–14 ESV).

 

It happens in the blink of the eye! One moment there are gifts neatly wrapped surrounding the tree; and the next moment the beautiful wrappings are torn and littered across the floor! If you’re not careful you might even miss the moment of glee your children show with each surprise!

 

Many of the people near that small stable in Bethlehem missed the greatest moment in history. I don’t blame them for missing what happened. Who would have thought that the Lord of heaven and earth would come into the world as a child born in a stable?

 

We are about to close the book on 2025. Today you might find yourself remembering some of the triumphs and trials of the past year. Even if you have had some wonderful successes in the past twelve months, you can probably remember some low points as well.

 

As you enter a new year, I hope you can remember that God’s plans have always been to prosper his people. He can transform ordinary events and difficult trials into key moments that help his plans to prosper. He is not out to harm us, but the dark moments we experience can be part of the most important lessons to help us grow nearer to him.

 

God has a way of saving his world that we may find hard to understand. He introduced his Son into the world and brought about our salvation in a way that could easily be overlooked—and yet he has changed the world, and his kingdom keeps growing. That same God comes into our lives and draws us into his plans for a hope-filled future!

 

Merry Christmas, Y'all!

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! (Psalm 105:1–4 ESV).

 

Merry Christmas, Y’all! I hope your weather is as nice as it is here today. We’re forecast to have highs around 80 degrees in our area, no precipitation, and a sunny day. Perhaps we’ll even get to go outside and grill our Christmas Dinner!

 

I hope you’ve already had the opportunity to read the Christmas story and reflect on Jesus’ birth with your family. If not, spend a moment and read Luke’s account: “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.” (Luke 2:10–11 ESV).  

 

Isn’t it a marvelous thought that God included us in the story. This good news message of Jesus Christ, heralded by angels and declared to shepherds, was also delivered to us. This declaration is an invitation that rings out and includes us. Today, we need not fear for God has given you good news of great joy! We all share in this. The good news of Jesus means peace, wholeness, security, and friendship. The invitation means freedom, hope, and love. Jesus offers a life full of meaning.

 

Whatever you are facing in your life today, turn your attention to this great miracle of grace. Allow the full effect of it to permeate all of your thoughts. My prayer for you is that you would be able to know the peace of Christ in all of your life! Merry Christmas from Texas!

 

Christmas Peace

 

Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek. But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace. (Micah 5:1-5 ESV).

 

There was a time in our lives when we experienced the pressure to buy everyone a gift, go to every party, and fulfill every holiday tradition. I’m sure many pastors have felt the same, especially as we are near Christmas. The additional pressure of all the additional services only added to the drain of physical and emotional energy. Somehow, the happiest season became the most stressful. I know this is true for many others, though in a different way. We sing about peace yet rush through each day without it. But what if this Christmas could be different? It can.

 

Our reading today is found in the Old Testament book of Micah. He prophesies a ruler will come from Bethlehem, one who will shepherd his people and bring peace. The prophecy in Micah is a promise to us. We, too, can enjoy the peace Jesus brings in this season. We experience peace in the chaos by learning to pray before we plan. God wants to be involved in every situation, including how we celebrate Him this Christmas. Jesus is our source of peace. So, talk to Him and rely on the promises of His Word.

 

Isaiah tells us, “He will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3) Paul challenges us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Jesus promises us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27). These are our promises today!

Doubt and Fear

 

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (ESV) (Isaiah 40:28–31ESV).

 

I have found waiting often brings doubt and fear to cast a shadow over the great work of God in our lives. It seems God has been developing my ability to “wait” for all my life. Events and moments longed for deeply always seem to take the longest to develop. School, career, children, grandchildren, all of those “firsts: just seem forever in their fruition. Then, suddenly, it happens and I wonder how it could’ve been so fast. I find myself staring into the past, chagrined that I ever doubted or feared the outcome. Well, here we are on the threshold of Christmas and I wonder if Joseph and Mary had those same feelings as they waited for the birth of this miraculous child.

 

Our reading today gives us an insight worth understanding. The context of our reading today is after Israel had lived in exile for 70 years. They knew the frustration of waiting very well. Although Isaiah prophesied a rescuer would come, it became more difficult with each passing year to believe the promise. When days turn to months, and months turn to years, the answer for our hearts that have become sick from deferred hope is simply to trust in the power and character of God.

 

When we wait well, we learn to trust God with our lives. Jesus’ birth is proof that God’s plan is worth the wait. Jesus did more than save Israel. He saved the world and established an eternal kingdom, offering freedom from sin and a relationship with Hom for eternity. Wait on the Lord. Resist the urge to rush the process. Christmas— the arrival of God’s greatest promise— reminds us that no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.

 

The Journey to Bethlehem

 

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace. (Micah 5:2–5 ESV).

 

Our reading today is significant in that it foretells the birthplace of the Messiah. Many of us have heard this story many times from various sources. In fact, when we think of Christmas, we are often reminded of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, the city of David in which Jesus born. We think of the pregnant and delicate Mary riding on a donkey, Joseph confidently leading the way as her husband and protector with staff in hand, the demanding and dangerous trip to Bethlehem, finding no room available at the inn upon their arrival and thus giving birth to Jesus in a cave that served as a stable. However, if we look more closely at this journey, we would see a much different picture. I’ve included a map of the most likely route that Joseph chose for the 90-mile trip required by the Roman government.

 

So, let’s look closer by considering what Mary was like. When we think of her, we often think of the pious images of a delicate, light-skinned woman adorned in unblemished, ornate robes whose hands never saw a day of laundry presented in so many of the accounts today. As wonderful as these sacred images are, they cannot possibly convey accurately the real Mary as a poor first-century Jewish girl—albeit a singularly extraordinary one.

 

There’s no reason to think Mary was anything but intimately familiar with long days of hard work, as were other Jewish women of her place and time whose daily lives entailed various challenges far removed from technologically advanced, modern-day lives in first world nations. Mary likely began her day at sunrise by preparing a meal, perhaps of bread and olive oil with dried fish. Water needed to be carried and stored for drinking, cleaning, bathing and washing clothes. Food, such as ground wheat-flour, had to be collected and prepared; firewood gathered for cooking and providing warmth in winter; clothes laundered. As you can imagine, Mary’s work-day was perhaps ten hours long. To keep up, she had to be strong and efficient. Joseph would be no less familiar with tough times and demanding labor. His days as a tradesman—a carpenter—began at sunup and continued until the light had gone or nearly so. He was strong and resilient, with rough, calloused hands.

 

They would not have been intimidated physically by the trip that likely took a minimum of 8-10 days. However, they would not have relished such a trip with Mary being in her third trimester of pregnancy. James Strange, a New Testament and biblical archeology professor, had this to say: “Writers of the gospels of Matthew and Luke are so laconic about the Nativity event because they assume the reader would know what it was like. We have no idea how difficult it was.”

 

It begs the question of “why?” If indeed the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem as prophesied, why didn’t God make sure Mary and Joseph would already be there? God certainly was not surprised by the Roman edict for all Jews to return to their birthplace to register for the tax roll. There are many broad answers; however, the short answer is simply that God wanted us to understand how He works all things together for good (cf. Romans 8:28). We will look more into this truth in these days immediately preceding Christmas. For now, I hope you see God’s great will and purpose coming together at just the right time, in the right place, and through the right circumstances.

 

That is the Almighty God of all creation working on our behalf to bring redemption to His children. That is our foundation of hope and joy. Your journey may be troubled and difficult. Please know it is exactly what God knows will be best for you. He has already prepared you for all your circumstances. Every one of those trials ends with eternal good! Trust Him!