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Isaiah 6:1-3 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
& Luke 1:46-49 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name.” Isaiah describes the Savior to come in many passages. We will view some of those in the coming days to connect with Luke. But first, let’s see Isaiah’s view of heavenly worship that is also expressed in Mary’s praise to the Mighty One. To worship God is to magnify him in all he is. Isaiah sees heaven’s angels singing the three-part, “holy, holy, holy” to continually declare God’s perfection. Revelation records the same worship (Revelation 4:8). His glory – power, beauty, righteousness, love – flows eternally throughout the heavens and earth. In his response to God’s perfection, Isaiah faithfully worships God as he obediently fulfills his ministry through the reigns of several kings. The same is true of Mary. As with Isaiah, God has chosen her to a remarkable work. In a sense, she becomes a prophet to proclaim God’s glory through the miraculous display of the virgin birth. From the day of the Spirit’s anointing, all generations who will call Mary, “Blessed.” Why? It is not because of what Mary has done or will do. It is because of whom she becomes in God’s power. Yes, she faithfully worships the Lord. “The Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name.” Even though the pregnancy is unplanned and will bring her many hardships – to be the Messiah’s mother! But then, as Isaiah, in deep reverence Mary responds to God’s call. Her words express true, humble devotion. She knows God has called her to a most remarkable task. Does “holy, holy, holy” must now come from our lips, too? I refer not in singing a hymn, but speaking heart praises to declare God is the Mighty One, who has called us to be his own, made holy in Jesus’ blood. Indeed, this is a most remarkable spiritual reality. Our response is to worship him day and night as we pursue his holiness and declare what he has done for us. Prayer: You are holy, holy, holy, Lord. Thank you for making us holy before your throne as we declare, “Jesus is Savior, King, Redeemer.” Amen. Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
& John 20:16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned toward him and said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” ONE popular Christmas hymn is “Joy to the World.” The angels declare it has come in Jesus’ birth. Mary Magdalene declares joy is alive before her in John’s report of Jesus resurrection. From Mary’s “Rabboni” exclamation we receive a message: Despair is done. Joy has come. Joy to the world! Indeed, Mary represents us all. Jesus found her chained in despair, captured by 7 demons. Jesus released Mary to the joy of following and learning from the Son of God. But then came the cross. Two days before her joyful reunion with her risen Lord, Mary, the other women and Jesus’ disciples suffered an inexpressible anguish to witness their beloved Good Shepherd die on the excruciating cross. But look. That’s all gone now! Despair is done! Now Mary knows: Joy has come. Yes, our risen Lord has come, and he has made himself fully known to Mary, her friends and now to the world – even you and me. Psalms 14:7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! God’s promise is fulfilled. Jesus was born. Jesus has lived as a man. Jesus suffered the cross. Jesus died as a man. Jesus rose as the Son of God, Savior of the world. Salvation has come out of the tomb to restore the world. Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Satan is conquered. Death is done. Life reigns. 1 Corinthians 15:55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” Against the culture, out of the norm, out of their past and out of the tomb’s despair, Mary and the others stepped into joy to become the first missionaries, the first ambassadors to represent the risen Christ. Yes, Mary, your despair was deep. But your joy is so much higher! No matter what anyone said to you, you know he lives in you because despair is gone. Joy to the world, the LORD is come! Does your joy prompt you tell, “Jesus is alive.” Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for being Joy to the World. Amen. Deuteronomy 30:1-3 When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come upon you and you take them to heart wherever the Lord your God disperses you among the nations, 2 and when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, 3 then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you.
& Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. WE begin Advent – the season of expectation – with a view of the Lord God’s expectation for his people. This is the connection between Deuteronomy – a book of the law – and Romans – a letter from the apostle Paul to declare grace has fulfilled the law. See Deuteronomy’s (the Word) commands and promise in “take them to heart” and “when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today” Then compare with Romans’ words, “confess with your mouth” and “believe in your heart.” In the law and the gospel, God proclaims he has graciously prepared a way for a sinful world to be with him – a love that comes with a faithful heart. Moses wrote seven times in Deuteronomy to “Love the Lord your God.” Then he added this promise in Deuteronomy 30:20 For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Jews were to obey God from a heart love. This was the way to the life God had planned for them. Their unfaithful response led to their destruction. Then Jesus graciously came because “God so loved the world” (John 3:16a). Through the gospel, the Lord God now ignites his chosen people – the church – to have hearts of faith to confess our sins and to believe Jesus is the Son of God. Deuteronomy is a promise that required the Jews’ heart love to live with God in the Promised Land. Romans is the restatement of the promise that a faithful heart is God’s way for you to enter into the eternal Promised Land. God is Emmanuel. He has come to us through the law. He has come through the gospel. He is with us now in Spirit as we confess with our hearts we love and believe in him. Proclaim with your mouth and in your heart, “I am a sinner. Forgive me Lord. Jesus is risen from the grave and ascended to heaven. Jesus saves.” You will have life in the land God has forever prepared for you. Prayer: As we await your Second Coming, Lord Jesus, we pray we do so with our hearts full of love, that we may joyfully live in your commands. Amen. |
AuthorBob James Archives
November 2024
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