Our world today so desperately hungers for hope, yet uncounted people have almost given up. There is despair and hopelessness on every hand. Let us be proclaiming the hope that is in Jesus.
Billy Graham
How was your Christmas Eve dinner? I bet it is different from what you had last year. With all the changes in the world, lockdowns, masks, quarantines, etc. one might think that the vaccine is the hope to get out of this “new normal” that we are facing.
Let me share what I know. Despite getting the vaccine, the social distancing and mask wearing will not end. You might say, “How can you be so sure?”. It is because I know that the disease is not the root problem here. The world is not facing a sickness problem, we have had lots of diseases and plagues for the past 200 years.
What is the problem?
We are looking into a sin problem. Our lost faith and acknowledgement of God is making the challenges we face more problematic. Everybody dies, all our days are numbered, that is a fact.
One might say that by wearing mask we are lessening our risks. But the reality is we are at risk every day. Not only with CoVid but with everything around us like accidents and other disease process. We can never say that there is no risk when we live in a corrupted world. And sin made this world corrupt.
What is the solution?
If you think you can have a perfect life now. Then, I am sad to say you cannot have it in this lifetime. But I know what can make everything bearable and make your journey on earth a comfortable one.
Pastor Charles R. Swindoll said, “Hope is like an anchor. Our hope in Christ stabilizes us in the storms of life, but unlike an anchor, it does not hold us back.” Jesus is our hope. To be with Him should be the focus and goal of each one of us. With Him, there is no pain, illness and death.
And in order for us to be with Him, we have to repent from our sins. Our sins are the hindrance in our relationship with Christ.
Bible Reading
Today’s devotional reading is a continuation from the Book of Luke 2:20-38. Please, read our recent Christmas devotional:
- Book of Malachi: For We Have Seen A Great Light
- Books of Micah 1-3 & Revelation 11: Rejoice! For To Us The King Has Born
History to Understand God’s Word
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem. 6 miles away from Jerusalem, where He was presented to the Temple. At the time of Jesus, there was only one temple in the land of Judah, and that was in Jerusalem. Jesus was not baptized as a baby because it was not a custom for the Jew.
A quick fact on circumcision. God has commanded Abraham in Genesis, “He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring,” (Ch. 17:12).
God did not just choose the eighth day because He wanted it so. He commanded it, for He has created our bodies and He knows its function. The eighth day after birth is the time our bodies create intrinsic Vitamin K. Inhibiting the baby boys to bleed out during circumcision.
Fulfilment of the Law
In Matthew 5, Jesus said: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (v. 17).
Christ indeed fulfills the Law and started it even when He was a baby. They circumcised baby Jesus on the eighth day after His birth, like any other Jew baby boy (v. 21).
Moreover, as the first-born son, Jesus was dedicated to the Temple (v. 22-23, 27) following Moses’ Law. “1And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.” (Exodus 13:1-2).
(You can read the Bible Study on how Jesus Fulfills the Law)
Fulfilment of God’s Promise
In Luke, we can see God’s act of fulfilling His promise to His people and to specific ones. In verses 25-26, we read about a man named Simeon, who was promised that he will not depart earth without seeing the Lord’s Christ. When he saw Jesus in the temple with His parents, He took Jesus in his arms and glorified God for the accomplishment of God’s promise to him (v. 29-32).
Simeon told Mary about God’s salvation to all people through Jesus. He also mentioned a prophesied about Mary’s future grief as she will watch Jesus die in agony for her sins and ours.
(You can read the Bible Study on how God fulfills His promises)
Reflection
This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV
- Are you feeling hopeless in these times?
- Do you agree that Jesus is the ultimate source of hope for everyone?
- What do you feel and think with all the surrounding risks?
- What are you waiting for, before you put your hope in Christ?
- Have you repented from your sins? And confessed it to Jesus? Accept Jesus Now!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are our hope and salvation. We thank You for coming down on earth to walk as a human, as Jesus, and saving us from the bondage of sins. Please, make each one of us to realize our sinfulness that we have broken Your Law.
Help us understand the importance of confessing our sins to You and repenting from it. May the Holy Spirit guide and reprove us as we walk in the path that leads to You. We look unto You for hope and comfort as we wait for Your second coming.
All these we pray in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
