Tuesday November 28, 2023

Today is Tuesday, November 28 and we are studying what the Bible says about the Incarnation.

As I enter this time of prayer, I still my mind, slow my breath and draw my heart near to God. As Christmas approaches, I prepare my soul and wait for the coming of my Lord Jesus with quiet anticipation.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, I come here to listen for your voice speaking to me from the sacred words of the Holy Bible. Remind me of the truth of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and the miracle of your Word made flesh for the salvation of the world. Amen.

I praise God and seek his eternal truth in the ancient words of the prophet Isaiah.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

Pause and Pray

To truly understand who Jesus is, we must look to the doctrine of the Incarnation. Many people believe in a historical Jesus. They understand Jesus was a good man, a prophet, teacher and martyr. They believe Jesus existed long ago and challenged people to live a good life and do many wonderful things. But believing Jesus was fully divine? A member of the Trinity? God on Earth? God incarnate? The truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is big. To understand who Jesus is we cannot limit his capacity in our minds, in our lives or in our world.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:6-13

John the Baptist came first and pointed the way to the long-awaited Messiah. John bore witness to the light. Jesus is the true light that gives the Light of God to everyone and he brought that light into humanity’s dark, frail and earthly existence. He brought that light into the brokenness caused by the Fall. When he came, not everyone believed he was the Son of God, and that mindset continues today. Not everyone believes. But those who do believe in him and receive him as Lord and Savior are born again and made children of God.

Ask: Do I believe in Jesus as God’s Son and Savior? How have I experienced his light in my own life?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, you are the true light that gives light to all people. You came into the world you created and yet your creation did not recognize you. You came to those lost in darkness out of love, yet they did not receive you. I believe you are the Messiah and Son of God. Live in me and remind me I am a child of God, born of water and the Spirit. I read the words from John again and listen for the message you have for me.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:6-13

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

The Bible is God’s living word. Scripture speaks to my heart and I endeavor to listen. I ponder how the truth of John’s testimony informs me this morning. What difference does the divinity of Christ make in my life and in the lives of the people I love? What is God revealing to me today? Perhaps there is something I can do this Christmas to witness to the light of Jesus Christ. Maybe there is someone who has yet to recognize him, believe in his name or receive his love. Perhaps God is reminding me what it means to be called his child – forgiven and redeemed.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, come into the darkness of my heart. Where there is doubt, misunderstanding, grief, loneliness and sorrow, shine the light of your love. I do not want to limit who you are in the smallness of my mind or the meagerness of my heart. I want to be a soul that is not dead in sin but truly alive and born again. Amen.

Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again.” John 3:5-7

I leave this time of prayer believing in the name of Jesus Christ. I go to live a life of love and shine the light of hope into the darkness of a broken world.

Amen