December 1, 2023
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 Life of Jesus
1.1-1.4
God intervenes in history. Angels bring messages to to prepare and secure those that God is using to complete His plan of salvation.
John the Baptist – born of Elisabeth and Zechariah “good people who pleased God”. Zechariah is visited by an angel and told the plan. They are both very old, leaving Zechariah in disbelief. John is filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb.
Jesus – born of the virgin, Mary. Mary, “how will this happen, since I am a virgin.”
God starts His plan with babies, and places them in scenarios where they are protected and raised in families with specific lineage, living according to the law, and fulfilling prophesy.
I couldn’t help but think of Satan’s attempts to thwart God’s plans by killing babies throughout history.
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. This is what came to me when I read tonight`s reading. How wonderful and amazing is God`s great love for us. He knowing that it was impossible for us to save ourselves. For all our righteousness is as filthy rags. [ Isaiah 64;6b] or [ Titus 3;5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. The only way that we could be saved was for Him that was in the beginning with God the Father to come to earth and be born as a helpless little baby boy. This same Person of the Trinity that made us and all things. [ John 1;2,3] And also in Colossians 1;16a [ For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, ——] This is how much He desires to have this relationship with us that He took our place on the cross. He really doesn`t need us but He truly loves us. God often times likes to use weak vessels such as Elisabeth and Zechariah. For they were both old and Elisabeth never had a child before. But they were both faithful worshippers of God and active followers of Him. In fact he was a priest and they were both through the line of Aaron. The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and 6 months latter to Mary and told her the good news including that her cousin was already 6 months with child. Also in Matthew 1;20 the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him not to worry for Mary was with child from the Holy Spirit. The angel is very active here and appears to Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph but no mention to Elisabeth. But I am sure that they were praying for a child but perhaps in their old age that gave up of the possibly. And to think that it was the child that would prepare the way for the Messiah. God working through weak vessels [ old] to show His mighty power. Just like in the Old Testament where God made it possible for Sari [ latter Sarah] to have a child at the age of 90. Or of Hannah who couldn`t have a child until the Lord opened her womb and gave birth to Samuel. Answer of prayer. God is God of the impossible. He alone will be glorified. May the Lord bless us all.
Above comment. I am sure that Zechariah told his wife what had happened with the angel and his message even through he couldn`t speak. After all she was the one carrying this special child to proclaim the coming Messiah.
How important it is to not be familiar with information and story that is so well known that it loses its awe inspiring nature. How utterly amazing it is that this God of eternity and glory who has made everything would come and live on the earth! How utterly amazing that the way He would do that is through the normal ways of human birth and yet with divine intervention! And it is no surprise that when God does something so amazing that He would do other things that would cause people to know that He was doing something amazing. Angels visiting people, a barren woman having a child, a priest made dumb and a virgin conceiving are all amazing in themselves, and yet they all point to the reality that God saw fit to intervene in a fleshly world, by taking on flesh and doing it this way…amazing!
Excited to be back in The Life of Jesus again! The account of the plan God accomplished through His Son should never be taken lightly or become a familiar “story” because it is so much more. It is a life changing event for each of us. A chance to be in relationship with God on a level we could have never reached on our own. Moses brought the law but Jesus brought grace and truth and paid a debt we never could…just overwhelmed by this very thought that He would did this for me.
Advent Day 2
Section 1.1 through 1.4
Now you, little boy, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go first before the Lord to prepare the way for him. You will make his people understand that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven. With the loving mercy of our God, a new day from heaven will shine on us. It will bring light to those who live in darkness, in the fear of death. It will guide us into the way that brings peace.”
Now THAT is quite the birth announcement.
that was supposed to be on “Day 2”
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 the people he is pleased with regardless of who they are in relation to the world.