The Everyday Gospel Christmas Devotionalنموونە

Jesus is the grace of God come to earth.

Once on a speaking trip, I stayed at the home of a wealthy family. This family had been wealthy for generations. One room featured a wall full of portraits of past generations of family members. My host explained to me that, in the days before the camera, itinerant painters would travel from city to city in search of well-to-do clients who would sit for a portrait. Since painting a portrait takes time, the painter would typically live with the family, in a guesthouse or guest room, until the painting was complete. In so doing, the painter would get to know the family, particularly the person he was painting. His knowledge of the person influenced his composition of the portrait. Good painters were known for their ability to capture the essence of the lifestyle, personality, position, and work of their subjects.

If you were to “paint” a verbal picture of Jesus, what words would you use to capture who he is, what he came to do, and what he continues to do in and for those who put their trust in him? It may surprise you, but one of the most beautiful and best-known verbal portraits of Jesus is found not in the New Testament Gospels or Epistles, but rather in the beginning of one of the Old Testament Prophets. For generations, students of the Bible have wondered at, meditated on, and attempted to understand the meaning and implication of the words of this portrait. Perhaps you have already figured out that I am referring to the picture of Jesus painted by Isaiah:

"To us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." (Isa. 9:6–7)

What an incredible portrait of the one who is our only hope in life and death.

Jesus is everything Isaiah depicted. Jesus is our source of wisdom, the power by which sin is defeated, the one who adopts us into the family of God forever, and the means by which we have peace with God and with one another. And his kingdom of peace and righteousness will never end. He is the hero at the center of God’s plan of redeeming grace, and nothing will impede God’s zeal to complete his plan.

It is right to say that in Jesus you find everything you need in order to be what you were meant to be, to do what God designed you to do, and to enjoy life as God meant for you to enjoy it. Jesus is life. Jesus is hope. Jesus is the grace of God. We will spend eternity worshiping and celebrating him. Why not start now?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I bow in humble adoration of you, my Savior and King. You are indeed a Wonderful Counselor and the Prince of Peace. And you are Mighty God and Everlasting Father! I praise your justice and your righteousness. Your rule is perfect and will extend forever. Thank you for subduing me to yourself and granting me a place in your eternal kingdom. In your name, amen.