12/26/2019
It’s now the day after Christmas, and today we celebrate Jesus, the Christ, living here among us. He has been born, and is growing physically towards the time when He will achieve His mission; God’s plan, and God’s will for Him. This is the same mission He will ultimately give His disciples... take up your cross, and follow me. This is how He sent them, and also how He sends us when he says... go into all the world.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Matthew 28:19 ESV
When I first accepted Jesus as my savior I had a sense of accomplishment. I approached my faith by thinking that I had achieved the goal, and was now a follower of Jesus, and a servant of God. In those first moments I rejoiced, proclaiming my faith, and proceeding to view my spiritual life, according to the final words of Jesus... “it is finished”... but I would come to understand that my faith was not complete; this was just beginning. The birth of Jesus was not the fulfillment of God’s plan for Him, and It is the same for all those who invite Jesus into their lives... that moment of first love is just the beginning of our faith, and God’s will for us.
“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
John 19:30 ESV
When we marry and consummate our marriage it isn’t complete... it is just beginning. It is a common mistake today for young people to think that they have accomplished marriage when the honeymoon is over. They approach marriage in much the same way that I initially approached my faith... by convincing themselves that they have reached the goal. When the ceremony is complete, and they have become one flesh with their spouse It is easy to think that they know what marriage is, and at that moment repeat the words of Jesus “It is finished.” Yet this isn’t all of marriage, but just the beginning. Marriage takes a lifetime, first in learning, then suffering, followed by an eventual death, and finally by living once again through our children, and in the living memory of a lifetime. Marriage isn’t a moment any more than the birth of Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s will for His life.
Jesus told His disciples to go out, and make disciples of the nations, but in the next verse He also told them to teach them, and that He would be with His apostles always... now today, the day following the birth of Christ, we begin our journey by learning, and knowing that He will be with us always.
“teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."”
Matthew 28:20 ESV
Life doesn’t come easily, it takes the pain of birth, time to grow into maturity, and years to complete. Jesus wasn’t born a man, but a helpless suckling babe, and He grew just as we do. God had a will for Him, and it began with His birth, then lasted all the years of His life, and into eternity. God has a will for us, and it too will last all the years of our lives, and beyond.
So today we celebrate the first day of all the days of Jesus, and we know the suffering, death, resurrection, and grace that will come to Him. We are also in the midst of our own days, but we don’t have the benefit of already knowing what those days hold, we must live them one at a time... each moment by moment, until God’s will for us in them is complete. Are we ready to view our life of faith as a journey rather than an event? Are we ready to walk with Jesus in God’s will until at last our days are finished, and we step into eternity with Him?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for every day in the life of Jesus, and for each breath He took while serving you, and doing your will. Thank you Lord for calling me, and drawing me to you through Him. Thank you Merciful Father for my faith, and belief in your Son, and for every lesson I have learned by His life, and by abiding in Him. Teach me in my earthly marriage what you would have me know when Jesus returns to claim His bride, the Church. Give me a lamp of faith Holy Father, and strengthen my patience as I wait, and heighten my sense of longing as each day and night passes. Make my ears keen as I listen for the will you have for me, and my eyesight sharp as I search the distant sky for your Son Jesus. Holy, Holy, Holy, Are you my God who beckons me on as I pilgrimage with Jesus towards you. Praised be your name as I glimpse your table, and smell the incense wafting from before your throne. Great are you Heavenly Father for making my life an image of the true life that awaits me with you. I yield all glory to you because it is by your grace, through Jesus, that I can begin my walk of faith. Watch the road for me Father, and listen for my voice as I approach. Meet me at the gate of your kingdom, and embrace me as a child once lost... but now found... an heir and joint heir with Jesus who has made the journey to claim his inheritance.
Rich Forbes