December 1, 2022
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Advent readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 1 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Birth and Childhood of Jesus
Read Sections 1.1 through 1.4 (pages 5-8)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
The Word was with God and the Word was God. As we begin these readings i am impressed that they are so much more than words on paper but the very life and salvation we live everyday!
Imagine to be chosen for such an amazing job as to carry the Son of God in your womb! Being pregnant is such an intense time in a woman’s life and to know that child is the Word! the Light! the Savior! this overwhelms me every time I read it!
The Word was already in the world. The world was made through him, but the world did not know him. He came to the world that was his own. And his own people did not accept him. But some people did accept him. They believed in him, and he gave them the right to become children of God.
Steve and I read the first 4 sections together this morning.
We were saying that it was good to read a translation that was unfamiliar because it makes you think more about what you are reading.
We talked about the different responses of Zechariah and Mary to the news they received.
Zechariah, “how do I know what you are saying is true?”
Mary, “How will this happen?”
Zechariah’s questioning was disbelief and Mary’s was, “okay, how?”
The Life of Jesus
1.1 – 1.4
I was struck anew of what John writes about Jesus. It is likely that he was aware of the other gospels and what the accounts were of Jesus coming to the earth. Now having lived with Jesus and having heard what He spoke and what He did, it was just a glimmer of His glory to talk about a baby in a manger, God in flesh. His beginning was before time began, and the best way to think of Him was the very expression of God, The WORD: creating, managing and holding things together one minute and taking on flesh the next. Taking on flesh, this glorious, eternal being who is God, becoming a human…beyond amazing…truly priceless!!!! And why would He do that? It was because God wanted to be known and it would be through Him that we would become children of God. Humbled! Thankful! Convicted! It is no wonder that miracle and special circumstances would surround His actual birth. God wanted His people the Jews to know He was on the move….what an awesome thing to be reminded of on a yearly basis!!!! What a reason to celebrate!!!
Beyond words to think the God who created all universes. With numerous planets and stars. And he comes to this speck called earth. For what! I’m in an airport this morning. Watching people. And cannot understand how he loves any of us. Present company included.
The Word is Jesus who was with God before the world was made. He is the One who gives us grace and truth, it does not come from the law. When we understand what Jesus is like, we know what God is like. The angel Gabriel tells both Zechariah and Mary not to be afraid and that the Lord is pleased with them. God does amazing things through people he is pleased with regardless of who they are in relation to the world. Our God is a God of miracles! This time of year, it is wonderful to celebrate when God in flesh came down as a baby to save us.
1.1-2.12