The Old Testament names that one day there will be a child born of a virgin, and his name will be Emmanuel, which means God with Us. That’s such a churchy phrase, God is with us. As the prophet Isaiah spoke those words, it was a game changer. God would be involved in our day-to-day life, God would become a human like us in a grand act of love to save humanity from ourselves. God would step into our story in a concrete way, and still walk with us in the highs and lows of everyday life.
As we start a new year it is natural to reflect on 2023, and look ahead towards our hopes and dreams for 2024. We will look at Jeremiah 29 and reflect on what growing in 2024 can look like no matter how you are starting the year.
Luke’s description of the Church in Acts is 2,000 years old. That said, the model for a Christian community Luke lays out in this short passage is just as relevant today as it was so long ago. If the Church wants to live out the call as a community of believers, then it ought to examine Luke’s words in Acts 2:42-47.
In this season we reflect on the joy Christ brings, and we remain in awe of how our King of kings took on flesh and became our savior. But our awe is not just for a season. Every day we can point to the beauty and majesty of the Gospel.
In Jesus’ arrival, God communicates much about Jesus’ coming ministry, and the path to save humanity. The invitation to redemption would be extended far and wide, and God’s plan to reconcile with his people would be direct, loving, and seek to invite those in who had typically been overlooked.
For many years the people of Israel prayed for a savior who would draw them back towards God, and restore their nation. They studied prophecy about this coming savior so that they would be able to know when he comes, and celebrate his arrival. And yet, Jesus comes into the world without notice, leads three years of ministry, mostly without notice from the very people studying so they would not miss him.
We only have a few places we hear about Jesus before he was an adult. Even from a young age we see that Jesus was fully human, and deeply loved God the Father. Like all of us Jesus had to grow and mature into who God created Him to be.
John starts his gospel by telling us that the word became flesh and dwelt among us. Of all the ways Jesus could have entered into this world, it matters that Jesus became a human. His arrival tells us about his mission and purpose.