The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading PlanSample

Meditation

Easter begins at Christmas. Joy to the world! For unto us a child is born; unto us a Son is given. Away in a manger. Silent night. This is where it begins. And yet we know the rest of the story. This baby was born for one primary purpose: to die.

Surely Mary and Joseph would have been worried, as all first-time parents are, that their newborn would be healthy. They probably experienced relief that he survived his unorthodox birth and lived to his eighth day when they could present him in the temple. And, though they had not been told exactly what it meant, they believed the angel’s words — that this baby would somehow save his people from their sins. The angel did not tell them that he would cause trouble. And so it must have come as some shock to hear the words of the old man Simeon. Their son, their only son, whom they loved, would bring pain. People would say terrible things against him. As Jesus grew, he understood this, hinting to his friends that his destiny would not be a pleasant one. But they failed to understand. Eventually, he stated it explicitly. He would be condemned and murdered, but he would return. One of his closest friends shouted, “Never!” But Jesus was resolute. This Christmas baby was born to be subjected to brutality and humiliation. He would lay down his life so that he could bring eternal life to us all. Joy to the world, indeed.

Prayer

Sovereign Lord, I am mystified by the incarnation of your Son. God taking on flesh. The Creator of all becoming one of us. This is astonishing, too marvelous for words. You willingly offered the life of your Son in exchange for ours. You transferred our sin to him and his righteousness to us. Knowing he would be betrayed, rejected and murdered by the people he came to save, he still came. He willingly became the sacrifice by dying on the cross. He overcame death. May I always be thankful for your glorious gift and recall the awful price you paid to make it possible. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.

Taken from Once a Day 40 Days to Easter