The Healing Jesus: An Advent Devotional to Encourage Anybody and EverybodySample

TIMOTHY: THE ONE WHO SHONE IN THE DARKNESS

My name is Timothy, and I am proud to call myself a deacon, which means servant in Greek. As the son of a Jewish mother and a Greek father, I can see how God uniquely equipped me to understand life for Jews and Gentiles. I have experienced what unity as one family under Jesus could look like. That is what my own family was!

I am genuinely concerned for these new Christians trying to figure out what this new life is about. When Paul sent me to Ephesus, I was excited to go and be a support to them. They don't have it easy because following Jesus involves risk and tension. Problems don't mean that Jesus isn't there. I believe it's quite the opposite. Jesus's love and faithfulness are easiest to see when things get darkest, like a candle in a dark room.

Therefore, I am unafraid to confront guys like Alexander and Hymenaeus who divide the church. They mean well, but they are overanalyzing the law and starting to teach crazy things like no one should eat meat or get married. But as Paul wrote, I wholeheartedly agree that God's entire creation is good. The laws are there to point us to Jesus, our Savior.

The gospel creates a longing in my heart for contentment and simple living. I notice that everyone in town is anxious for the latest gossip. They don't seek truth; they seek novelty. They even have a statue of an unknown God. But he doesn't have to remain unknown! I want them to know this wonderful Jesus.

He is not a novelty; he is Lord. My mother and grandmother made prayer a regular part of our lives, creating peace in our home. I want to bring this habitual lifestyle to this beautiful church in Ephesus. When there is peace in the community, spreading the wonderful news of Jesus is easy. It changes lives!

I've witnessed people hearing the story of Jesus and transforming. A practical and visible change happens in these men and women. I never get tired of seeing it. What you believe will affect how you live out your life.

The best news is this: if we are faithless, and I have those moments myself, Jesus remains faithful. Thank you, God!

Jesus is healing when things get tense and risky.

Questions for Talk it Over:

1. How is the ancient world like our modern world today, according to Timothy?

2. When have things felt risky in your life?

3. What do you do to stay calm and focused on Jesus when tense situations come?