Friday December 2, 2022

Today is Friday, December 2 and we are continuing our journey through the Advent season together.

Sometime later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22:1-2, 13-14

When we think of Christmas celebrations we often return to specific sights, sounds, and smells. They are typically some of our favorite and most nostalgic memories. However, when we think of the Gospel account of the birth of Jesus–we can’t assume the scene to be so pleasant. This is true of many stories found within scripture.

In Genesis 22, we read of Abraham on Mount Moriah. Take a moment to imagine the sounds and sights of this scene. A far cry from our Christmas scenes–but an important stop on the journey of stories of great courage and obedience. It is a history of God’s provision. This is the history and heritage from which Jesus emerges.

Jesus, like Abraham, surrendered to the will of the Father. Jesus, like Abraham, surrendered himself to trust in the Father who would provide. Jesus himself is the provision of God–the sacrifice for redemption and the healing of the human heart.

In this heritage of sacrificial living, we find both Jesus and our purpose. As Romans 12:1 calls us, we, too, are to offer our own bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is our true and proper worship.

Ask
Advent is the celebration of the one born to give himself for the world–how does this image of Jesus call you to live sacrificially? How does living a life of sacrifice help you understand Jesus’ own sacrifice? In what areas of your life are you being invited to trust in God’s provision?

Father, thank you for your Son, Jesus, who is both provider and provision for me. Help me to be confident in your provision. Help me to take risks for you. I want to glorify you in my life. So, would you help me to be a living sacrifice for you–carrying the message of hope and love to the world during this Advent season? Amen.

Listen and sing along with us to songs that will shape our Advent season. Today we will sing “Go Tell it on the Mountain” which you can find 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.