He Shall ReignSample

We sing Silent Night each year at Christmas, and yes, Jesus came in a quiet and calm way without the loud celebration royalty would traditionally enjoy. But how loud, His quiet entrance actually rang out through the earth! This King was different, His reign was the long-awaited peace humanity craved for their souls. 

Remember, as we read Luke, Israel had been in a period of silence where they’d heard nothing from or had any prophets. This had been their way of receiving new direction and vision from the Lord, and for hundreds of years: nothing. As both John the Baptist and Jesus were born, the silence was replaced with a message of hope and calling. John would “prepare the way” for the Most High by teaching people about salvation that could only come through the Savior. 

Zechariah’s prophecy displays that he had had a change of heart from when he first questioned the angel’s news. Here we find he was leaning into God’s purpose for his son, even as he was just a few days old. The silence was broken in Zechariah’s life with a declaration that echoed heaven’s plans for John the Baptist and Jesus. In a very similar way, spiritual silence was broken through the lives of these infants, who would go on to proclaim that the Kingdom of heaven was near for all who believed! 

In Romans 10, Paul reminds us that of all available options, God chose to send out the message of the gospel through His people. Salvation comes through belief, and belief through faith in the message of Jesus that has been heard. This is why Jesus left the Church with the Great Commission, sending us out into the world to preach the good news. People can’t hear what isn’t preached! No matter where our paycheck comes from, we all have a job as believers to share the hope of Jesus. 

APPLICATION: 

Take a few minutes to reflect on your testimony. What was your life like before you knew Jesus? How did you hear the gospel? What is your life like now? Ask God to show you opportunities to share the Hope of Jesus with others. Not sure where to start when sharing about Jesus? Check out newlifechurch.tv/Jesus to get started.