Filled With Joy

Read Acts 2:25-28

We prepared. We waited eagerly for His coming. And last week we celebrated His quiet incursion into our time and space. Now again, we anticipate a different kind of celebration: the beginning of a new year.

In today’s passage, Peter addresses the crowds on Pentecost. In his explanation of the events surrounding the outpouring of the Holy Spirit he recalls David’s prophecy about the Messiah’s resurrection (Psalm 16). David’s joy and security was rooted in his confidence that the Lord is and will remain with us, not abandoning us – ever, because even death cannot overcome Him. Standing on the other side of the cross, Peter’s passion and drive was rooted in the same.

Whether we are inclined to face the coming year with apprehension or excitement, fear or enthusiasm, let us always remember this tremendous work of love and redemption that God has done for us, and let it change us.

Let our hearts be joyful; let our spirits be unshaken. Let our praises be heard; let our minds be at peace. Let us walk in His ways and let us be present in His presence.

QUESTIONS:

1. Pentecost coincided with Shavout, the Jewish Feast of Weeks. What do you know about Shavout and how does it enrich the context of the passage?

2. What was the response of Peter’s audience to his message? What is our response? Who do you know that hasn’t heard?

PRAYER:

Father, you made Jesus, this newborn Babe, whom we crucified, Lord and Messiah. Let this fact cut us to the heart and move us. Amen.

Jon Gerckens

Herod the Great cannot stop Jesus

20 March 

Read Matthew 2:13-18 and reflect on the passage.

“They say Aslan is on the Move...” Despite living in an endless winter, burdened by fear, where even the trees are turning to evil, help is coming and is in fact already at work.

When I read today’s passage in Matthew two observations come to mind. First, I see God moving boldly to keep His promises: Joseph is given a dream, protecting Jesus from the violence of an arrogant and jealous Herod so that some 30 years later that child—revealed to be the Christ—would voluntarily submit to a greater violence in order to rescue arrogant and jealous people like you and I.

Second, I see in the surrounding darkness families mourning senseless brutality, having no idea that God is at that very moment moving to orchestrate unparalleled mercy.

Like Beaver’s faithful proclamation about Aslan in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, we can say with confidence that Jesus is on the move in our world even when all we can see is a mess. Furthermore, we know that the obstacles put in front of Him—whether by men or fallen angels—will not deter Him: His love is too strong and His power too great.

Questions

1. Nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39). Isn’t it also true then that nothing can separate God from His love for us?

2. God is real, His goodness is in motion, and His love unstoppable. Who will you encounter today that needs to be reminded of this? Perhaps it is you?

Prayer

Lord, grow our confidence in You and grant us Your compassion so we might more urgently share Your comfort with those hurting around us. Amen.

—Jon Gerckens