25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon Him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 2:25-35
“Christmas Unveiling Easter’s Promise”
Cradling a newborn often leaves us grasping for words, yet, when Simeon embraced the infant Jesus in the temple, his words resounded with prophetic gravity. Simeon anticipated the fulfillment of God’s promise in this child, recognizing Jesus as the Savior not just for the Jewish nation but for the entire world (Luke 2:30-32).
Alongside this divine hope, Simeon foresaw a somber shadow of suffering. Amidst proclaiming salvation, he hinted at the division Jesus would bring, revealing the depths of people’s hearts. He tenderly forewarned Mary of the anguish she would endure because of her son’s destiny (Luke 2:34-35) – which reminds me of Good Friday and Easter
While Easter might not be the typical focus of Christmas, understanding the significance of Easter unlocks the very heart of Christmas itself. Simeon, with profound insight, pointed forward to the significance of Good Friday while welcoming the baby central to the Christmas narrative. His words connected the humble manger to the redemptive work accomplished on the rugged cross.
Christianity isn’t a moral code for self-improvement but the proclamation of Christ’s finished work. It isn’t about our merit but about God’s mighty ability to rescue, redeem, and restore. Much like the relief felt after settling a bill, God stamped “PAID” against our sins through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. The events that pierced Mary’s soul culminated in God’s unmistakable declaration: Jesus conquered death and paid the debt for all sinners (Luke 24:1-7).
Luke’s Gospel serves as a masterful bridge, connecting the Christmas story with Easter’s triumphant climax. Jesus, in his life and death, fulfilled Simeon’s prophecies—reaching out to the marginalized, facing opposition, and ultimately redeeming sinners through the sacrifice of the cross, all fueled by an unparalleled love for humanity.
Jesus, the embodiment of divine love, sacrificed himself for sinners like Simeon, Mary, Zechariah, the shepherds, and each of us—extending redemption despite our flaws and showcasing an immeasurable depth of love. This truth is the resounding heartbeat of Christmas, leading to the profound grace and unfathomable hope found in the resurrection of Easter.
Reflection Questions:
Reflecting on Simeon’s anticipation of Jesus connecting Christmas to Easter, how does this deepen your appreciation for the entire Story of Christ?
In what ways does Jesus’s sacrificial death resonate the idea of a fully paid debt, and how does this understanding impact the way you view God’s grace and forgiveness?
📖 Revelation 4:1–11In this episode of The King is Coming, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison move beyond Jesus’s letters to the churches and into the next part of John’s vision. In Revelation 4, John is invited through an open door into heaven—and what he sees is the throne room of God.At the center of everything is a throne, and seated on it is the Lord in all His glory. From this point forward in Revelation, the throne becomes the focal point of the entire book.John describes the scene the best way he can: the brilliance of precious stones, a rainbow surrounding the throne, flashes of lightning and thunder, and a crystal-like sea before it. Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders and four living creatures who never cease to worship the Lord.Together, Keith and Jamie discuss:✔️ Why Revelation 4 marks a shift from the letters to the churches to John’s heavenly vision✔️ What the throne room reveals about God’s authority and security over all things✔️ Why John uses comparisons (“like” and “as”) to describe the glory he sees✔️ The mystery of the twenty-four elders and what we can—and cannot—know✔️ The constant worship of the living creatures crying “Holy, holy, holy”✔️ Why heaven’s worship centers on God simply because He is worthyIn the throne room, everything points to one truth: God alone is worthy of worship.“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)🔗 If you would like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
I love Christmas, but over recent years, I have grown to especially love Advent at Christ Community. It’s not about lighting the candles or tradition or, well, anything I can really put into words. It’s just been special – and is special.
Tomorrow, our Advent focus will be on Joy and Love.
In thinking of joy, it seems that this season – festivities and the hustle-and-bustle nature of our calendars – really shows how much people seek after joy amid life’s challenges. This is a season for some where joy seems to be out of place, or at least out of reach. It never will be in reach if we only seek joy here on earth.
Jesus’s birth was heralded by an angel army choir as “good news of great joy for all people” (Luke 2:10) to a group who understood difficult circumstances. I mean, not many of us will be camped out on a hillside working with a bunch of dumb sheep this Christmas. But this is exactly who Jesus came for – people like those shepherds, in fact those specific shepherds: people who need Him, sinners in need of a Savior. Amid our flaws and sins, the good news of great joy stands – a Savior born to rescue sinners from sin and death was born that day in Bethlehem, and even though He died on the cross to save us from our sins (Romans 5:8), He is alive and on His throne today (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)! That’s good news – of great joy!
In our world that seems to be plunging more and more quickly into the darkness, we sometimes let that joy be eclipsed. But just as the moon (that looks big to us but is infinitesimally smaller than our sun) cannot completely block out the light of our sun, darkness cannot block out the Light – Jesus. One thing that helps that Light shine so brightly is the power of His love. Just as darkness cannot withstand the flame of a single candle, the hatred and darkness of sin cannot stand in the light of His love (1 John 1:5).
The love of God in Christ offers hope amid chaos! And that love is truly a gift, epitomized by John 3:16, showing that God loved the world in such a way that He gave His only Son. The good news that brings great joy is that there is a Savior for sinners. God became flesh to live the life we cannot live (sinless) and die the death due our sin in our place (Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 5:21). And anyone – all people – who confess Him as Lord and believe in Him shall be saved (Romans 10:9, 13) – those shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
If you seek joy and love from the glitz and glamour of the lights and presents around a Christmas tree, you will come up empty. No amount of gifts and trappings found on earth can satisfy – none can save. But Jesus can. He wants to save. So, amid the hustle and the bustle and the gifts and the goings, remember the gift of Christ – the Son of God offered for our salvation. May our hearts rejoice in His presence more than in presents. For Emmanuel – God with us – dispels the darkness, saves souls, produces joy, and freely gives of His love!
And if you need someone to talk to or to just listen to you or pray with you, we at Christ Community would love to point you to the One who can meet your needs. We would love to point you to Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30).
Won’t you gather with us and make much of Him?
Here are our Scriptures & songs:
Advent Reading | JOY
Scripture | Luke 2:8-12 —
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
📖 Revelation 4:1–11In this episode of The King is Coming, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison move beyond Jesus’s letters to the churches and into the next part of John’s vision. In Revelation 4, John is invited through an open door into heaven—and what he sees is the throne room of God.At the center of everything is a throne, and seated on it is the Lord in all His glory. From this point forward in Revelation, the throne becomes the focal point of the entire book.John describes the scene the best way he can: the brilliance of precious stones, a rainbow surrounding the throne, flashes of lightning and thunder, and a crystal-like sea before it. Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders and four living creatures who never cease to worship the Lord.Together, Keith and Jamie discuss:✔️ Why Revelation 4 marks a shift from the letters to the churches to John’s heavenly vision✔️ What the throne room reveals about God’s authority and security over all things✔️ Why John uses comparisons (“like” and “as”) to describe the glory he sees✔️ The mystery of the twenty-four elders and what we can—and cannot—know✔️ The constant worship of the living creatures crying “Holy, holy, holy”✔️ Why heaven’s worship centers on God simply because He is worthyIn the throne room, everything points to one truth: God alone is worthy of worship.“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)🔗 If you would like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
Luke 2:21-24
“The Significance of Names” by Burt Schmitz
Luke brings us from the rejoicing of the angels and shepherds to what seems to be a mundane event. A couple of things happen on the eighth day after His birth that are significant. First, He is circumcised. He receives the sign of the covenant as a descendent of Abraham (Genesis 17:7-12). The baby is now identified as a member of the household of faith. Second, the baby is given His name, Jesus. This is the name that the angel Gabriel told Mary to give her child (Luke 1:31). Jesus, “the Lord is salvation”, is His name. Matthew 1:21 tells us “For He will save His people from their sins.”
Names are significant. When we lived in Togo, we learned that the names that were given to children at their birth could be used to give the child identity as well as to indicate a significant event. My friend Lamoutidja’s name signified that he was born on a Thursday. His name literally means “Thursday’s man”. Lamoutidja had a lot of brothers. Another friend was the first born of his mother and was given the name Nanlieb, “Everyone envies me”. Having a son was very important and especially as a first born.
The name Jesus, “the Lord is salvation”, has great significance for us. It is Jesus, that even from His birth, is identified as the Savior of the world. Luke 2:11, the angels declare, “there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Christ, Messiah, Anointed One, all indicating that Jesus was the Son of God, born to accomplish the task of providing salvation.
Luke 2:29-32 identifies Jesus not only as the Savior of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles, the whole wide world. We see in the names and titles given to Jesus around His birth, circumcision, and purification in the temple that Jesus is the baby born to die. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).
What will you do with Jesus?
Reflection Questions:
Reflect on Acts 4:12. Since Jesus is the only way of salvation, how does that impact our desire to share the gospel – good news of great joy – with others?
Today’s devotion closed with a question: what will you do with Jesus? Belief in Him is supposed to impact one’s whole life. How does this question challenge the way our daily lives reflect (or do not reflect) Him?
📖 Revelation 4:1–11In this episode of The King is Coming, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison move beyond Jesus’s letters to the churches and into the next part of John’s vision. In Revelation 4, John is invited through an open door into heaven—and what he sees is the throne room of God.At the center of everything is a throne, and seated on it is the Lord in all His glory. From this point forward in Revelation, the throne becomes the focal point of the entire book.John describes the scene the best way he can: the brilliance of precious stones, a rainbow surrounding the throne, flashes of lightning and thunder, and a crystal-like sea before it. Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders and four living creatures who never cease to worship the Lord.Together, Keith and Jamie discuss:✔️ Why Revelation 4 marks a shift from the letters to the churches to John’s heavenly vision✔️ What the throne room reveals about God’s authority and security over all things✔️ Why John uses comparisons (“like” and “as”) to describe the glory he sees✔️ The mystery of the twenty-four elders and what we can—and cannot—know✔️ The constant worship of the living creatures crying “Holy, holy, holy”✔️ Why heaven’s worship centers on God simply because He is worthyIn the throne room, everything points to one truth: God alone is worthy of worship.“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)🔗 If you would like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Luke 2:8-20
“Good News of Great Joy”
In our journey with Jesus, we often hear the refrain: in Him, we are new creations – born again (2 Corinthians 5:17, John 3:1-16). It’s a reminder that our old self is transformed by the Holy Spirit into something fresh and beautiful (Ephesians 4:22-24). But at times, this transformation might seem distant, especially when life’s challenges cloud our perspective.
Consider Israel in the Old Testament—a cycle of mistakes, repentance, and the certainty of God’s welcome upon repentance (Isaiah 55:7). They felt secure in God’s love, knowing they were chosen, set apart, and deeply cherished by Him (Deuteronomy 7:6; Jeremiah 31:3). But for those outside God’s chosen people, Gentiles, this language might feel alienating (Ephesians 2:11-13).
Understanding our identity in God’s eyes—realizing whose we are—is crucial (1 John 3:1). It means recognizing that we belong to a loving Father who chose and set us apart (1 Peter 2:9). When Jesus died, He knew us intimately—flaws and all (Romans 5:8). He not only chose us but transformed us to be His ambassadors (Ephesians 2:10). The terms used for God’s people—chosen, set apart, loved—are rooted in the Old Testament but remain equally true for us today (1 Peter 2:9). Like Israel, even amidst our failings, we can rest in God’s enduring love (Psalm 103:13-14). His correction is a sign of His care for us as beloved children (Hebrews 12:6).
This profound truth isn’t about our abilities or origins; it’s about God’s unwavering love, choosing us despite our imperfections (Romans 8:28-30). Personally, I’ve experienced this—I’m chosen not for my merit but to showcase what Jesus can accomplish in someone like me (Ephesians 2:8-9). Embracing this truth means embracing the Gospel—the good news of great joy (Luke 2:10). It’s about recognizing that God’s love, shown through Jesus’ sacrifice, offers us a new life (John 3:16). It’s an invitation for you, too, to experience this transformative love that surpasses our flaws and backgrounds (Romans 10:9-10).
Reflecting on the shepherds’ encounter in Luke 2:8-20 sheds light on this transformative message. Shepherds were often disregarded, yet they were the first witnesses to the Savior’s birth. The heavenly host announced His arrival to these practical men, not the religious elite, emphasizing God’s grace toward all humanity. Their encounter wasn’t just a revelation; it was a call to action. They responded by seeking the newborn Messiah and spreading the good news, glorifying and praising God. These humble shepherds, disregarded by society, became bearers of the greatest news—the arrival of the long-awaited Savior.
Just like these shepherds, we’re invited to embrace and share this good news—the gospel of Christ. Let’s join in proclaiming this good news to the world and find our purpose in embracing the Savior who came for us all.
Reflection Questions:
How does the encounter with between the shepherds and the angels demonstrate God’s choice to reveal His transformative love to those often overlooked in society?
Today’s devotion mentions how our identity in Christ is not determined by our abilities or background but by Him. How does this truth shape your perception of what God does for us in salvation? How does it impact our call to continue to share good news of great joy — the gospel – with all people?
📖 Revelation 4:1–11In this episode of The King is Coming, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison move beyond Jesus’s letters to the churches and into the next part of John’s vision. In Revelation 4, John is invited through an open door into heaven—and what he sees is the throne room of God.At the center of everything is a throne, and seated on it is the Lord in all His glory. From this point forward in Revelation, the throne becomes the focal point of the entire book.John describes the scene the best way he can: the brilliance of precious stones, a rainbow surrounding the throne, flashes of lightning and thunder, and a crystal-like sea before it. Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders and four living creatures who never cease to worship the Lord.Together, Keith and Jamie discuss:✔️ Why Revelation 4 marks a shift from the letters to the churches to John’s heavenly vision✔️ What the throne room reveals about God’s authority and security over all things✔️ Why John uses comparisons (“like” and “as”) to describe the glory he sees✔️ The mystery of the twenty-four elders and what we can—and cannot—know✔️ The constant worship of the living creatures crying “Holy, holy, holy”✔️ Why heaven’s worship centers on God simply because He is worthyIn the throne room, everything points to one truth: God alone is worthy of worship.“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)🔗 If you would like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Luke 2:1-7
“The Quiet Birth That Changed the World” by Burt Schmitz
The birth of a child is always a joyous occasion. Here we have the birth of not just any child, but the birth of the Son of God, Jesus. This is a very significant moment in history. The Apostle Paul writes, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, so that He might redeem those who were under Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5). Jesus’ birth is in fulfillment of the promise given in Genesis 3:15 of the one who shall crush the serpent’s head. And yet, the birth of the Son of God is recorded in these verses in a manner that is seems so insignificant.
Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem to be counted in a census “because he was of the house and family of David.” (Luke 2:4). The Scripture does not indicate that Joseph was moving to fulfill the prophecy in Micah 5:2 that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. No, Joseph took his wife, Mary, so they could be counted, nothing less or nothing more. While there in Bethlehem, “the days were completed for her to give birth” (Luke 2:6) and Jesus is born. No fanfare for the birth of the King of Kings. There was no rejoicing by the multitudes. There was no one singing the Hallelujah Chorus, nor was there the reciting of Isaiah 9:6-7. “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and evermore.” No, Mary gave birth to Jesus and wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger because there was no room in the inn. A very quiet and unassuming birth, that changed the world.
Much in our lives seems exactly like Jesus’s birth. Our thoughts go something like this. It is just another boring day where nothing exciting happens. God why don’t You choose me to do something great in Your Kingdom? How come I am never recognized for what I do like…? God has not forgotten you. Ephesians 2:10 affirms that each of us is saved for a purpose. There are good works for us to do that God “prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them”. Just as Jesus’s birth was not an insignificant event, even though it looks that way in today’s passage, neither is your birth into the Kingdom of God. Jesus chooses us to follow Him and then to do His work (John 15:16). So here it is. Jesus came to save us and then to choose us to do His work.
Will you answer the call to follow Jesus first in salvation and then to do the good works to which He has called you?
What will you do with the Babe of Bethlehem?
Reflection Questions:
Reflecting on the quiet and humble birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, how does this challenge our culture’s expectations of grandeur and recognition for significant events?
How does Ephesians 2:10 encourage us to view our lives and the good works prepared for us?
📖 Revelation 4:1–11In this episode of The King is Coming, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison move beyond Jesus’s letters to the churches and into the next part of John’s vision. In Revelation 4, John is invited through an open door into heaven—and what he sees is the throne room of God.At the center of everything is a throne, and seated on it is the Lord in all His glory. From this point forward in Revelation, the throne becomes the focal point of the entire book.John describes the scene the best way he can: the brilliance of precious stones, a rainbow surrounding the throne, flashes of lightning and thunder, and a crystal-like sea before it. Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders and four living creatures who never cease to worship the Lord.Together, Keith and Jamie discuss:✔️ Why Revelation 4 marks a shift from the letters to the churches to John’s heavenly vision✔️ What the throne room reveals about God’s authority and security over all things✔️ Why John uses comparisons (“like” and “as”) to describe the glory he sees✔️ The mystery of the twenty-four elders and what we can—and cannot—know✔️ The constant worship of the living creatures crying “Holy, holy, holy”✔️ Why heaven’s worship centers on God simply because He is worthyIn the throne room, everything points to one truth: God alone is worthy of worship.“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)🔗 If you would like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-25
“Hope in Emmanuel: God With Us”
As we approach Christmas, seeking solace in the presence of King Jesus amid the trials of this year, our focus turns to the facets of hope, joy, and love that emanate solely from the Lord. To commence this journey, let’s delve deeper into the profound narrative of Joseph, often overshadowed by Mary’s pivotal role.
Joseph, described as a “just man” (v. 19), faced a dilemma when confronted with Mary’s unexpected pregnancy. Despite the social norms and legal avenues available to him, Joseph chose a path of grace rather than justice. In a society quick to condemn and shun Mary, Joseph’s decision to spare her from shame embodies God’s profound mercy and compassion. It’s a poignant reflection of the gospel – choosing redemption over condemnation, displaying the heart of God toward His people.
The angel’s revelation to Joseph validated the truth behind Mary’s conception and urged him not to fear but to embrace his role in God’s divine plan. This narrative mirrors Christ’s embrace of the flawed yet beloved Church, demonstrating the beauty of redemption amid societal scrutiny and judgment.
The significance of the name Jesus reverberates throughout history. Beyond its literal meaning of salvation and divine assistance, it embodies the unparalleled authority and saving grace encapsulated who Jesus is (Acts 4:12, Philippians 2:9-10).
Emmanuel – God with us, a promise foretold by Isaiah in 7:14, served as a beacon of hope for Israel amid turmoil. It assured them of God’s presence, dispelling fear and fortifying their spirits against adversity. This promise resonates with timeless relevance today, assuring us that God’s presence transcends circumstances, offering unwavering hope and strength.
To close, let’s meditate on Romans 8:31-34, a profound reminder encapsulating the essence of Emmanuel:
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
These verses reassure us that with God on our side through Jesus, no force or circumstance can overpower us. Christ’s intercession for us solidifies our hope and assurance in His unwavering love and support. Despite uncertainties that lie ahead, remember this truth: while challenges may arise, the throne of heaven remains unshakeable. God’s sovereignty prevails, and He orchestrates all things, offering us an unshakable foundation of hope.
Embracing the profound truth encapsulated in the name Emmanuel – God with us, let’s find rest, solace, and hope in the promises it holds. In acknowledging God’s abiding presence with us, both now and forever, may this Christmas season be a source of renewed hope and unwavering assurance.
Reflection Questions:
Think about the name Jesus and its meaning of salvation and divine help. What does this name mean for you personally, and how does Jesus bring hope and rescue into your life?
Reflect on times when you have felt overwhelmed or anxious. How does the idea of Emmanuel – God with us – offer comfort and strength in these moments in your life?
📖 Revelation 4:1–11In this episode of The King is Coming, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison move beyond Jesus’s letters to the churches and into the next part of John’s vision. In Revelation 4, John is invited through an open door into heaven—and what he sees is the throne room of God.At the center of everything is a throne, and seated on it is the Lord in all His glory. From this point forward in Revelation, the throne becomes the focal point of the entire book.John describes the scene the best way he can: the brilliance of precious stones, a rainbow surrounding the throne, flashes of lightning and thunder, and a crystal-like sea before it. Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders and four living creatures who never cease to worship the Lord.Together, Keith and Jamie discuss:✔️ Why Revelation 4 marks a shift from the letters to the churches to John’s heavenly vision✔️ What the throne room reveals about God’s authority and security over all things✔️ Why John uses comparisons (“like” and “as”) to describe the glory he sees✔️ The mystery of the twenty-four elders and what we can—and cannot—know✔️ The constant worship of the living creatures crying “Holy, holy, holy”✔️ Why heaven’s worship centers on God simply because He is worthyIn the throne room, everything points to one truth: God alone is worthy of worship.“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)🔗 If you would like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
Luke 1:67-80
“Zechariah’s Hymn of Redemption”
Zechariah’s song, the Benedictus, bursts forth like a symphony of redemption, echoing through the corridors of history. It begins with the profound proclamation, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people” (Luke 1:68). These words, penned by a man once silenced by disbelief, now resound with the power of prophecy fulfilled and salvation’s promise proclaimed.
Zechariah’s hymn encompasses a tapestry of themes—each thread woven intricately with the divine promises, from David to Abraham, connecting the grand narrative of God’s faithfulness to the imminent arrival of the Messiah. At its core lies the concept of redemption—freedom from captivity and deliverance from sin’s bondage. It echoes the call of Isaiah, foretelling the release of captives and the opening of prison doors. Through Christ, God was inaugurating a new era of liberty, breaking the chains of sin and offering spiritual emancipation to all who believe (Luke 4:18). The imagery of the “horn of salvation” harks back to the Davidic tradition, symbolizing power and victory—assurance that in Christ, the enemy is defeated, and complete triumph prevails for God’s people (Psalm 18:2).
Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, arrives, tracing His lineage to the royal lineage of David—bringing health, soundness, and spiritual wholeness to a broken world (Micah 5:2). His redemption doesn’t merely liberate; it transforms. The victory achieved by Christ doesn’t end in personal emancipation. Those redeemed are called to live in alignment with God’s will—to embrace freedom not for selfish desires but for a life of obedience and fulfillment in service to the Most High (Colossians 1:12–14).
Central to this anthem is the remission of sin debts. Humanity, indebted by sin, finds its burden lifted by the gracious act of Christ. His sacrifice becomes the means through which debts are canceled—a divine act of mercy that sets the repentant heart free from the chains of guilt and condemnation (Psalm 103:12).
Moreover, Zechariah’s hymn provides a profound metaphor—the dawning of a new day, the rising sun breaking through the darkness of humanity’s plight. Jesus, the Dayspring, brings light, life, and peace to a world shrouded in despair, heralding the tender mercies of God, and initiating a new era of divine grace and restoration (Isaiah 9:2). Zechariah, once mute, now becomes a mouthpiece of divine revelation. His joy is palpable as he rejoices not only in the birth of his son John but in the advent of the Messiah whom John will herald. Through the ages, prophets had foretold this moment, and now, it was finally dawning.
Today, the resonance of Zechariah’s song beckons—a call to believe in the Good News, to embrace the joy of salvation, and to join the chorus of praise for the Redeemer who came from the lineage of David to set the captives free. Just as Zechariah’s voice was restored to praise, may our lives echo with gratitude for the redemption found in Jesus Christ, our Savior and King.
Reflection Questions:
Considering Zechariah’s transformation from silence to praise, how can his experience encourage us to embrace gratitude and praise for the redemption found in Jesus? How might this echo our thankfulness for the salvation He brings?
Look at the imagery of the sun rising and chasing away darkness in vv. 78-79. How does the image of Jesus being like the bright sun rising and the darkness being unable to stand before Him help you understand His first coming? How about His second coming?
📖 Revelation 4:1–11In this episode of The King is Coming, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison move beyond Jesus’s letters to the churches and into the next part of John’s vision. In Revelation 4, John is invited through an open door into heaven—and what he sees is the throne room of God.At the center of everything is a throne, and seated on it is the Lord in all His glory. From this point forward in Revelation, the throne becomes the focal point of the entire book.John describes the scene the best way he can: the brilliance of precious stones, a rainbow surrounding the throne, flashes of lightning and thunder, and a crystal-like sea before it. Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders and four living creatures who never cease to worship the Lord.Together, Keith and Jamie discuss:✔️ Why Revelation 4 marks a shift from the letters to the churches to John’s heavenly vision✔️ What the throne room reveals about God’s authority and security over all things✔️ Why John uses comparisons (“like” and “as”) to describe the glory he sees✔️ The mystery of the twenty-four elders and what we can—and cannot—know✔️ The constant worship of the living creatures crying “Holy, holy, holy”✔️ Why heaven’s worship centers on God simply because He is worthyIn the throne room, everything points to one truth: God alone is worthy of worship.“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)🔗 If you would like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
Luke 1:57-66
“Rejoicing in Hope: Exploring the Joy of Advent” by Burt Schmitz
Today we begin thinking about the third week of Advent. This is the week of joy. There are few events in the lives of individuals that bring more joy than the birth of a child. Imagine with me some of what is happening with the birth of this child. Elizabeth in her old age has not only become pregnant, beyond any hope, and has now given birth to a child. She who at one time felt disgraced has found favor with God (Luke 1:24-25). Elizabeth rejoices! Her son was born! Oh joy! Her neighbors rejoice along with Elizabeth. I can hear them now. The sounds of rejoicing and laughter with one who has been blessed with her first-born child a son. Most of us have seen this scene and the joy it brings to our lives, and we can relate to the joy that comes with the birth of a child.
But is joy only a feeling that we get when things are going our way or when something wonderful and inexplicable happens to us? No, joy is much more than this. There is a joy that is experienced by God’s people that is based on more than a feeling. This joy rises above circumstances and focuses on the very character of God.[i] I can think of no reason to have joy more than that God has provided a way of salvation for us, His creation. Romans 5:12 states it this way, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith in this grace in which we stand: and we exult in hope of the glory of God.” What does that have to do with our Scripture for today?
When Zechariah was in the temple and the angel Gabriel was foretelling the birth of his son, Gabriel said, “You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth” (Luke 1:14). Joy and rejoicing at the birth of Elizabeth and Zechariah’s son. Why? It is not just the whole old age issue. It is because “he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah…to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17-18). Joy because salvation is coming to the house of Israel and to all peoples!
Rejoicing and then confusion as Elizabeth says that his name is John. This is affirmed by Zechariah who writes “His name is John.” And immediately begins to speak in praise of God! A whole lot of joy and rejoicing because God is showing His people salvation. This was news that spread throughout the hill country of Judea, their home. Joy and rejoicing not just in the birth of a child. Joy and rejoicing because God is bringing salvation to His people. The really good news is this. The salvation that is spoken of for the people of that time is not just for them. This same salvation is available to us today through faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Accept Jesus and experience true joy in His salvation.
Reflection Questions:
Considering Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s joy at the birth of their son John, how might the angel’s prophecy about John’s role in turning people back to God contribute to their joy?
When Zechariah affirms the name John, leading to his immediate praise of God, what does his reaction reveal about the significance of God’s plan and the joy that comes from seeing it play out in real life?
📖 Revelation 4:1–11In this episode of The King is Coming, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison move beyond Jesus’s letters to the churches and into the next part of John’s vision. In Revelation 4, John is invited through an open door into heaven—and what he sees is the throne room of God.At the center of everything is a throne, and seated on it is the Lord in all His glory. From this point forward in Revelation, the throne becomes the focal point of the entire book.John describes the scene the best way he can: the brilliance of precious stones, a rainbow surrounding the throne, flashes of lightning and thunder, and a crystal-like sea before it. Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders and four living creatures who never cease to worship the Lord.Together, Keith and Jamie discuss:✔️ Why Revelation 4 marks a shift from the letters to the churches to John’s heavenly vision✔️ What the throne room reveals about God’s authority and security over all things✔️ Why John uses comparisons (“like” and “as”) to describe the glory he sees✔️ The mystery of the twenty-four elders and what we can—and cannot—know✔️ The constant worship of the living creatures crying “Holy, holy, holy”✔️ Why heaven’s worship centers on God simply because He is worthyIn the throne room, everything points to one truth: God alone is worthy of worship.“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)🔗 If you would like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
[i] Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995).
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Soloman by the wife of Uriah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, 8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Matthew 1:1-17
“Unlikely Lineage: Sin and Redemption in Jesus’s Family Tree” by Keith Harris
Once upon a time, there was a great King. He was foretold of old to be a great hero who would come from His faraway country to win back His lost love. His story is one of romance as He left His palace to rescue His Bride. His lineage hailed back to other…great…well, um….
One of the things I love about God’s Word is how it does not fall into the temptation to pretty things up or rewrite/remix them to be more acceptable. Yes, Jesus is the great King – the King of kings who was prophesied for centuries to come from heaven and rescue His people. Yes, Jesus’s Story is one of romance where He left His throne on high and traded it for a lowly manger in a tumble-down stable. But His lineage? It was not filled with kings and queens, although there are a few sprinkled in toward the middle. It was not filled with great heroes with tragic flaws; well, the tragic flaws are many. No, Jesus’s family tree was filled with regular old sinners with real sin and problems – people like me and you.
This Bible study will look at some women emphasized in Jesus’s family tree in Matthew who point us to Jesus in very specific ways. We do not have time to go fully into their stories today, so I will give you the cross-reference so you can check it out directly from Scripture.
The first woman is Tamar (v. 3), and her story is found in Genesis 38. Tamar was Judah’s – as in lion of the tribe of Judah, the original – daughter-in-law. She was originally married to Judah’s oldest son Er until “the Lord put him to death” because Er was “wicked in the sight of the Lord” (Genesis 38:7). In those days, when the elder son died, it was the role of his younger brother to take his place and father children in his name. This fell to second-born son, Onan, but Onan was more sinful and selfish than his big brother, doing what was “wicked in the sight of the Lord” and being “put…to death, also” (Genesis 38:10). Poor Tamar. Her only hope at bearing children would fall on Judah’s youngest son Shelah. But Judah lied and had no intention of continuing with Tamar. What did she do? She decided to be wicked herself. She tricked Judah and tempted him. How did he respond but by being wicked himself? Judah and Tamar committed sin together that is so heinous that I won’t write on it here. So, why would they be included in Jesus’s official lineage – in the Bible no less?
The second woman is Rahab (v. 5), and her story is found throughout the Bible in Joshua 2:1-21, 6:17, 6:22-25; Hebrews 11:31; and James 2:25. Rahab wasn’t one of God’s chosen people, and before the Hebrew spies came to her house in Jordan, she was known for her sinful profession, a profession that, like Tamar isn’t something I am writing down here. Yet she had faith in the God she had heard of because of the mighty work He had done with His people. She kept the Hebrew spies safe by hiding them from her own people. She sided with the Lord. Despite her people and her own history, God rescued her by letting her put a scarlet cord in her window to mark her safe. But what about that earlier profession? Why would someone like her be included in Jesus’s official lineage – in the Bible no less?
The third woman is actually somewhat related to Rahab – she ended up marrying Rahab’s son Boaz. Her name is Ruth, and her story is told in the book of the Bible bearing her name. Like her mother-in-law, she wasn’t one of God’s chosen people. She was from the land of Moab (a people group started by a whole bunch of mess way back in Genesis 19:30-37). Her husband Mahlon came to Moab with his family during a famine in Israel, seeking help from their own strength and ingenuity rather than from the Lord. While they were in Moab, her father-in-law, husband, and brother-in-law all died. She alone decided to go back to Israel with her mother-in-law Naomi. God blessed her while she was there and took care of Ruth and Naomi. Eventually, she – not one of God’s chosen people – would be blessed to marry Boaz, Rahab’s son. This story has a happy ending, especially considering Ruth would be David’s great-grandmother, but doesn’t King Jesus deserve a more presentable bloodline?
The fourth woman isn’t even called by her name, but how she is listed tells the sadness and sin surrounding her: “And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah” (v. 6, 2 Samuel 11:1-25). King David is heralded as a hero but mainly for his worship of the Lord. He is also known as a sinner. Yes, the man who slew Goliath and wrote a good chunk of the psalms committed some of the most heinous sins: murder and adultery. David saw “the wife of Uriah”, a woman named Bathsheba, and decided that he wanted to make her his. His decisions led to a child between them. Rather than owning up and confessing his sin – to the Lord, to his wives, to Uriah, to Israel, David undertook a massive cover-up that ended in his arranging Uriah’s murder. He stole a man’s wife. He took a man’s life. It looks good to have a man who killed a giant who worshiped the Lord in your lineage, but why associate King Jesus with the wickedness of King David (and the same or worse from many of the kings listed after him in the family tree)?
In short, there are answers to those questions. Why would the Bible recognize all those sins and sinners in Jesus’s lineage? They all really happened. Sin happens. All people “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). None of us – not a single person in the history or future of the world – deserve to be in Jesus’s lineage, but faith in God – trusting in His work and His steadfast love and kindness – is woven through that lineage, marking like a scarlet cord those who are saved by trusting in Him. Looking at their sin and faith in Him reminds us that none of us are worthy of saving. But that is why He came. Jesus Himself said that He came to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). And how did He come to seek and to save? Christmas. The incarnation of God becoming flesh and dwelling among us (John 1:14). He came to earth to provide a way for people like Tamar, Rahab, David, you, and me to be saved – by grace through faith in Him alone.
So, as you gather with family and friends and notice some rough looking fruit in your family tree – or whether you notice the same by looking in your own mirror, realize that Jesus is more than the reason for the season – He came to seek and save sinners like you and me. Won’t you ask Him to save you?
Reflection Questions:
By God including Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and David in Jesus’s family line, how do you see God’s grace and mercy at work despite their sins? How can that remind us of God’s redemption?
Consider the phrase Jesus used in Luke 19:10, that He came “to seek and save the lost”. How does that impact you personally?
📖 Revelation 4:1–11In this episode of The King is Coming, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison move beyond Jesus’s letters to the churches and into the next part of John’s vision. In Revelation 4, John is invited through an open door into heaven—and what he sees is the throne room of God.At the center of everything is a throne, and seated on it is the Lord in all His glory. From this point forward in Revelation, the throne becomes the focal point of the entire book.John describes the scene the best way he can: the brilliance of precious stones, a rainbow surrounding the throne, flashes of lightning and thunder, and a crystal-like sea before it. Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders and four living creatures who never cease to worship the Lord.Together, Keith and Jamie discuss:✔️ Why Revelation 4 marks a shift from the letters to the churches to John’s heavenly vision✔️ What the throne room reveals about God’s authority and security over all things✔️ Why John uses comparisons (“like” and “as”) to describe the glory he sees✔️ The mystery of the twenty-four elders and what we can—and cannot—know✔️ The constant worship of the living creatures crying “Holy, holy, holy”✔️ Why heaven’s worship centers on God simply because He is worthyIn the throne room, everything points to one truth: God alone is worthy of worship.“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)🔗 If you would like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He grew up before Him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
4 Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to His own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:1-6
“An Old Testament Portrait of Christ” by Robert Morman
I remember going to various churches when I was in my teens, and it was always there. That one framed picture of Jesus. You know the one. I have jokingly called it the Swedish-Pageant-Sash Jesus. He is there with blue eyes and flowing hair. His robes are white, and he wears either a red or blue sash that goes from his shoulder across his chest and around his side. He looks like he is either in a pageant or in a commercial for some hair product. He looks amazing – almost heavenly. There is usually one other picture in most churches – Jesus on the cross. It is a sanitized picture of the crucifixion. It is usually Jesus nailed to the cross looking to Heaven. For the most part, he looks normal and in good physical condition, but when we read the words of Isaiah 53, we see a completely different Jesus described.
Verse 2 says, “He [Jesus] had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” Appearance wise, there was nothing that stood out about Jesus. In His time, He would look exactly like most normal working class or even poor people in that area of the world. He wouldn’t have stood out in the marketplace. Isaiah 53 doesn’t stop there with Jesus. This is a prophecy about what would occur to the Messiah. He is called “a man of sorrows” and one “acquainted with grief”, so well acquainted with grief that it is recorded that He sweat drops of blood in the garden because of what He knew was going to occur to Him. He carried our sins. Verse 4 says it best, “he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” Every sin was on Him. A sinless Savior feeling the weight of an eternity of sin. That is tremendous grief and sorrow.
Verse 5 foretells what would occur to him. “He was pierced for our transgressions.” From the flogging to the crown of thorns, to the nails, to the spear in his side, every piercing was caused by us. “He was crushed for our iniquities.” Jesus most likely would have fallen as he carried the crossbeam he would soon be nailed to. This piece of the device of torment and death would have fallen on him. Depending on the source, the beam would have weighed 75-125 lbs. Imagine falling multiple times with that weight on you, then getting up and doing it again. All of this combined with the beating Jesus would have received and his lack of sleep, food, and water would have made Him look almost inhuman in appearance. But why? Why would this occur? Verse 6,” The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Christ was sent to die because of what we have done. Every sin, big and small, was laid on Him by the Father. Jesus was mangled and marred for us at the will of the Father. This should drive us to adore Jesus more and more.
To close, let’s read the lyrics of the hymn “O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded”[i]:
“In thy most bitter passion My heart to share doth cry. With thee for my salvation Upon the cross to die. Ah, keep my heart thus moved To stand thy cross beneath, To mourn thee, well-beloved, Yet thank thee for thy death.”
Reflection Questions:
How do vv. 2-6 describe Jesus different than the pictures you are used to seeing of Him?
How does reading through these verses in Isaiah 53 help us understand why Jesus came to earth and why He died for our sins on the cross?
📖 Revelation 4:1–11In this episode of The King is Coming, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison move beyond Jesus’s letters to the churches and into the next part of John’s vision. In Revelation 4, John is invited through an open door into heaven—and what he sees is the throne room of God.At the center of everything is a throne, and seated on it is the Lord in all His glory. From this point forward in Revelation, the throne becomes the focal point of the entire book.John describes the scene the best way he can: the brilliance of precious stones, a rainbow surrounding the throne, flashes of lightning and thunder, and a crystal-like sea before it. Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders and four living creatures who never cease to worship the Lord.Together, Keith and Jamie discuss:✔️ Why Revelation 4 marks a shift from the letters to the churches to John’s heavenly vision✔️ What the throne room reveals about God’s authority and security over all things✔️ Why John uses comparisons (“like” and “as”) to describe the glory he sees✔️ The mystery of the twenty-four elders and what we can—and cannot—know✔️ The constant worship of the living creatures crying “Holy, holy, holy”✔️ Why heaven’s worship centers on God simply because He is worthyIn the throne room, everything points to one truth: God alone is worthy of worship.“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)🔗 If you would like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.
[i] F. L. Cross and Elizabeth A. Livingstone, eds., The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2005), 670.
Just Keith Harris 