Christmas: God With Us預覽
Who Is This King?
By Danny Saavedra
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
There’s no denying that a smartphone is a helpful tool. I don’t believe there’s a single person alive who wouldn’t benefit in some way from having a smartphone. Similarly, fire is beneficial to all people — heat, cooking, fuel. You name it, fire provides it!
Various products and resources have been created to make everyone’s life infinitely better. In the same way, the story of Christmas is for everyone! Regardless of who you are, what you’ve done, or where you come from the Christmas story can transform anyone and everyone. It can change who you are and where you’re going. It has the power to bring peace, hope, joy, love, and fulfillment. Why? Because it’s the story of how Jesus, the Son of God, came to save us all (John 3:16, 36, 6:40, 11:25).
Over 700 years before He was born, the prophet Isaiah foretold of Jesus’ coming to the people of Israel. Isaiah was given a vision where he saw that man’s hope and future do not rest in himself, but in the Son who would be given—offered by the Father as a ransom for many (Isaiah 53). This Child is everything we need, everything we desire, and everything we could ever hope for.
How so? Isaiah breaks it down:
Wonderful Counselor
Proverbs 2:6–7 (NLT) says, “For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.” He’s our source of all wisdom and understanding! He leads us to right paths and teaches us how to live a life of meaning and fulfillment. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He understands us! Having lived as fully human, He knows what it’s like to walk in our shoes. Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) reminds us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
Mighty God
“All power is his for ever and ever” (1 Peter 5:11 PHILLIPS). Strength, power, courage, and perseverance all come from Him. And the Word constantly reminds us that His power is available to all who look to Him! Psalm 46:1 (NIV) declares, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble,” while Philippians 4:13 (CEV) reminds us, “Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” In 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV), He assures us, saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Everlasting Father
Our Savior is one with the Father and our way to the Father. In John 14:9 (NIV), He declared, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Hebrews 1:3 (NIV) eloquently describes Him like this, “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” He goes before you, friends, and He’ll always be with you. He’s the Father of all believers (John 8:58), the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
Prince of Peace
Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father by bridging the gap and paying the price for our sins. And before returning to heaven, He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27 NIV). His peace, which surpasses understanding, has the power to guard us and give hope and assurance. He invites us to come to Him for rest (1 Peter 5:7).
Friends, there’s not a single thing you need or want that Christ Jesus doesn’t offer. There’s not a single thing in all eternity that a relationship with Jesus doesn’t provide for you and everyone. His power, wisdom, peace, love, grace, compassion, kindness, mercy, and strength are for all of us. They’re available to all who would receive Him. Every promise, every blessing, every good and perfect gift . . . it’s all for you!
PAUSE: “God with us…” The One who is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace is with you, for you, before you, and within You! Full stop. Reflect on that for a few minutes.
PRACTICE: Tell someone today about who Jesus is and how He meets every need and longing of our hearts.
PRAY: Jesus, You are everything to me. Nothing in this life is more valuable than knowing and living in a relationship with You, and everything in life is better in light of being in relationship with You! Everything I could ever hope to have, do, enjoy, or gain in this world falls short of and is made better by the eternal, priceless, immeasurable gain of knowing You, my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Thank You for coming to earth and giving Your life to make a way for me to be made right with You and be with You forever. Thank You. In Your precious and perfect Name. Amen.
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In this 25-day Advent devotional, we'll look at the story of Christmas, starting with Genesis all the way through Matthew and Luke 1 and 2 and explore what it means that Jesus is Immanuel, "God with us."
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