Advent - Day 7
Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fears
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 2:10–12.
Full Readings: Psalm 2
It’s the seventh day of the first week of Advent. A week of hope. A week to reflect on the anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Buddy Jesus is the image that comes to mind when I think of how Christ was first presented to me. Jesus loved me. He wanted to give me gifts. He was my best friend. He was a good bloke. I wonder what I would have done with Psalm 2 back then?
I probably would have glossed over it. Shrugged it off as mysterious or something like that. Are you tempted to do that? I decided many years ago that if I was going to remain a Christian, I wanted to understand who Jesus really was. Not who I wanted Him to be or who someone else described Him. But who He is in His own words.
He, of course, is loving. He is compassionate and kind. He is merciful and patient. But He is also a King who comes to rule. Jesus is not Santa. At Christmas, we remember a King, come to earth to establish God’s rule.
He comes to save. No doubt about that. But He saves with an expectation of submission. This Christmas we have many questions before us. The people of the world have many questions before them. Trivial ones like, what presents will I get? Or what good food will I eat? Big questions like, will there be war? Or will I forgive my family?
But the biggest question of all is; will I kiss the Son? Will I submit to Jesus as King and serve Him with reverence and fear? Or will I take my chances with destruction?
For Today:
Pray:
Praise the Father that He is the Lord, enthroned in heaven who rules with wisdom and justice.
Give thanks for Jesus Christ who comes to save and to rule as King.
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others serve Jesus with reverence and fear.
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fears
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 2:10–12.
Full Readings: Psalm 2
It’s the seventh day of the first week of Advent. A week of hope. A week to reflect on the anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Buddy Jesus is the image that comes to mind when I think of how Christ was first presented to me. Jesus loved me. He wanted to give me gifts. He was my best friend. He was a good bloke. I wonder what I would have done with Psalm 2 back then?
I probably would have glossed over it. Shrugged it off as mysterious or something like that. Are you tempted to do that? I decided many years ago that if I was going to remain a Christian, I wanted to understand who Jesus really was. Not who I wanted Him to be or who someone else described Him. But who He is in His own words.
He, of course, is loving. He is compassionate and kind. He is merciful and patient. But He is also a King who comes to rule. Jesus is not Santa. At Christmas, we remember a King, come to earth to establish God’s rule.
He comes to save. No doubt about that. But He saves with an expectation of submission. This Christmas we have many questions before us. The people of the world have many questions before them. Trivial ones like, what presents will I get? Or what good food will I eat? Big questions like, will there be war? Or will I forgive my family?
But the biggest question of all is; will I kiss the Son? Will I submit to Jesus as King and serve Him with reverence and fear? Or will I take my chances with destruction?
For Today:
- What’s one thing you are looking forward to this Christmas?
- Does Psalm 2 fit with your picture of Jesus?
- What does it look like to serve Jesus this week?
Pray:
Praise the Father that He is the Lord, enthroned in heaven who rules with wisdom and justice.
Give thanks for Jesus Christ who comes to save and to rule as King.
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others serve Jesus with reverence and fear.
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