Tuesday December 13, 2022

Today is Tuesday, December 13 and this week continues our journey through the Advent season as we look to Jesus as the leader given to us.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7

Jesus’ family story is fed by prophecy. This prophecy delivered to Isaiah, who lived roughly seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, begins with the words, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.”

While the world searches adamantly for gifted leaders to guide us, with their promises of a more prosperous nation and kinder society, Jesus was given as a gift to us from a source beyond us– our Creator who knows perfectly what we need.

Jesus was given to us, from the Father, to lead us into new life– from simply living to a life of awakening.

Jesus was given to us, from the Father, to model leadership born out of intimacy with God.

Jesus was given to us, from the Father, to establish a kingdom that would inhabit and transform the human heart. Jesus pursues the individual knowing that changing the heart of one leads to changing the hearts of the many.

Jesus was given to us, from the Father, in the form of a child. He came like us that he might lead us into the fullness of being a child of God.

Leadership is what the world needs from a Messiah– leadership that is motivated by pure, divine love and that is faithfully guiding us to the new creation ahead. Be assured of this: Jesus will rule and reign over the kingdoms of this world, and they will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.

Ask
In the past years, have you had any allegiances or loyalties that you felt ruled over your inward commitment and intimacy to Christ? What were/are they? How can you get back on track?

Jesus, you come to us in a time when our ways and politics have failed us as much as they have served us. You choose to reign with the human heart. I yield my heart to you once again. Let my allegiance to you and your lordship rule over all other loyalties in my life. Amen.

Listen and sing along with us to songs that will shape our Advent season. Today we will sing “For Unto Us a Child is Born” from Handel’s Messiah which you can find here. Subscribe to our Spotify playlist featuring all of our Songs for the Season here.

First 15 through the season of Advent is adapted from Roots: Advent and the Family Story of Jesus available through Seedbed. If you or your small group are interested in using this resource for your Advent study, you can find more information here or send an email to discipleship@fmcm.org.