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Who Is This Jesus?
AN ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
T H E M I N I S T R I E S O F S A I N T J O H N L U T H E R A N C H U R C H A D V E N T 2 0 2 0
Who Is This Jesus?
CHAPTER FOUR THE KING
T H E M I N I S T R I E S O F S A I N T J O H N L U T H E R A N C H U R C H The King is Coming December 20 by David Schrampfer Read John 12:12-19 Growing up, anytime we were planning to have company over, it only meant one thing for that afternoon: cleaning the house. For some reason, that also included the cleaning of my room, to which I would often protest, pointing out that we never ate or gathered in my room specifically. To that, my mom would reply, “Well, given how many dishes are piled up in there, we certainly could. . .” But I digress.
All of us, to some extent, make a conscious effort to make our home presentable when guests are coming. Whether it is grandparents, the next- door neighbors, or a group of friends, we always want to make sure our home is presentable, or at the very least, giving the appearance of tidiness. Can you imagine, for just a moment, preparing the house for a King? It is curious to think about this arrival of Jesus – in John 12 – in contrast to his arrival to this Earth in Bethlehem. Here in Jerusalem, he is given a rather royal welcome, as the King of Israel. Word of his coming spreads among the people, and they prepare a kingly welcome. Yet those many years ago in Bethlehem, Jesus arrived in the middle of the night, in a whisper. He was born humbly in a stable, delivered from the womb next to cows, far from a kingly entrance. “Preparations” consisted of cleaning out a trough and filling it with clean hay. Very few even were told of his coming on that night. Jesus knew the mess he was stepping into that night in Bethlehem. He knew the world was broken, hurting, messy, and painful. And yet, he came anyway. Jesus knew the reality and hurt in Jerusalem despite his kingly entrance. He knew that in just one week, he would be mocked, tortured, and murdered. And yet, he came anyway. You see, dear reader, my suspicion is that we clean our hearts the way we clean our houses. We try to tuck everything unpleasant and messy out of sight and out of mind to give the appearance of tidiness and togetherness. We try to give Jesus a royal, deserved entrance into our lives, while lurking right inside the closet are boxes and piles of brokenness, addiction, shame, and regret. In the end, it is merely a façade. And yet, fear not. For your King comes anyway. He comes to deal with that brokenness, to truly clean the home of your heart. He comes to get rid of those piles of shame and hurt. The King comes to do the cleaning. What kind of a King is that? Well, dear reader, that is a King that I, for one, want to follow.
Prayer: Dear Precious Jesus, you are unlike any other King. Help me to serve you as the King of my Heart, this Advent season and beyond. Amen.
Reflection What are some ways you try to present an “appearance of tidiness”, either to God or to others?
What about this King Jesus makes him worthy to be the King of your heart and life? Leaving Home December 21 by Doris LeCount Read Philippians 2:5-11 Have you ever moved away from a home you loved? A home packed with memories of good times and multi-generational gatherings? Have you moved from a community of long-established friendships and activities? People move to new locations for lots of reasons – for a job change, a military assignment, proximity to something they value, a change in climate, age- related necessity, to be closer to family, to escape warfare or oppression, etc.
In today’s passage in Philippians we read about Jesus moving away from heaven to come to earth – born as a human baby in Bethlehem. Jesus was doing much more than moving to a new location -- his “form” (v.6) was new and different. Another translation says his “very nature” was changed. He “emptied himself” and became a servant (v.7). He left behind equality with God. He “humbled himself” to the point of dying (v.8) – dying for us because of our sin, dying to make us acceptable to holy God.
Have you ever thought about what this "emptying” and “humbling” included? What leaving heaven and becoming human really meant?
While still divine, Jesus took on all the frailties of being human. God – who is Sovereign, Almighty, Creator, Controller of nature, Ruler of kingdoms, (insert your own superlatives here) -- made himself human, made himself vulnerable to physical needs, made himself vulnerable to temptation, made himself betrayable, made himself killable. That’s how much he loves us!
Sometimes, when life does not go the way I wish it would, I am reminded of verse 8, of why Jesus moved from heaven to earth. He came to redeem us. Jesus did not come to earth to make our lives easy – he came to reconcile us to a holy God. And having completed that mission, he was “exalted” so that every person will one day acknowledge him to be Lord.
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you that you love me so much that you emptied and humbled yourself for me. Thank you for becoming one of us, for being born as a human. Thank you for meeting all the conditions that allow me to have a relationship with you. Please give me your mind and show me how to follow you in humility and servanthood. I acknowledge you to be Lord. I love you, Jesus. Amen.
Reflection When you think of Jesus becoming a servant for you (v.7), even to the point of death (v.8), what acts of service are you inspired to do for your neighbors in response? What is your understanding of having the mind of Jesus (v.5)?
As followers of Jesus, as disciples walking in Jesus’ steps, what "emptying” and “humbling” might be part of our faith-walk? Truth Is December 22 by Erin Chapin Read John 18:33-38 We live in the United States; our history is to NOT have a king. So…how do we understand Jesus’ kingship? Pilate had a similar question for a different reason. “You are the King of the Jews?” he asks to Jesus when he has Jesus in his possession. Jesus tells him that His kingdom is not of this world, and then asks, if it were, wouldn’t My servants fight for Me? Then, Jesus says, “for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth.” “What is truth?” Pilate asks. What is truth? The truth is when the Israelites asked for a king, God was jealous because He was the King. He told Samuel to tell the Israelites the consequences of having an earthly king. He had taken care of them with food, land, and protection from enemies. (1 Samuel 8) The truth is Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ruined God’s perfect creation with sin. The truth is God promised Adam and Eve, right after their sin, (Gen.3:15) that He would send His Son to redeem His creation. The truth is God fulfilled His promise by sending Jesus into the world as a baby, so that He could grow into a man and stand in front of Pilate and be condemned to die. The truth is Jesus is our protector and provider (Ps. 23 and 46). That is what a king is, someone who protects and provides for his people. He rescued us from sin with His perfect life and then death on a cross; and to prove it, He rose from the dead. (John 20-21) The truth is He loves us. The truth is we have all sinned and we need a Savior, a Redeemer. (Romans 3) The truth is Jesus is that Savior and Redeemer. Let us make Him our King, the One we honor and adore, the One we bow to and obey, the One for Whom we live. (Ephesians 2:10) Prayer: Dear LORD Jesus, remind us of You, the Truth. We are Yours because You made us and then You redeemed us. Remind us. Please open our eyes for ways to remind others of the truth of Your love; Your life and death to make us Yours. Reflection Truth is NOT relative. Are there any places in your life that you need to remind yourself that God and His Truth are absolute? Half Price December 23 by Arleen Keyne Read Matthew 2:1-12 “How did it get to be so late? It’s December 23, and I still don’t have a tree or the treats for my children.” She worked over-time and had four young children.
Hurrying to the Christmas tree lot, she saw the salesman who, smiling, said, “You can have that tree in the corner for FREE.” He received profuse thanks and she rushed into the store. She found treats her children would like, took them to the checkout counter, the clerk smiled and said, “These are half-price.”
After leaving the store, she thought about what happened. Money was a concern. Why did she worry? Did she doubt her Lord knew her needs and would provide? Did she doubt her Lord loves her and cares for her as long as she lives? “Thank you, thank you, God,” her heart overflowing, “for these signs of your everlasting love.” Had this happened to anyone else that she knew?
What about half price? Our Lord paid full price for us. He would never “negotiate” or buy “on sale.” To Him we are too precious. He gave His all, undeserving though we are.
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. We celebrate Baby Jesus’ birth, our Savior King. What can I give Him? I don’t have the precious gifts the Magi gave -- gold, frankincense and myrrh. What gift have I that is fitting for a King who paid full price?
What can I give?
What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb -- If I were a wise man, I would do my part, Yet what I can I give Him, give my heart. Give my heart. - Christina Rossetti, “In the Bleak Midwinter” Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for the amazing gift of your love and birth. Thank you for paying full price for us and for creating in us a clean heart. You are a King worthy of all glory, riches, and praise! In your dear name, Baby Jesus! Amen.
Reflection What does this passage show you about Jesus’ royal kingship?
How can you be generous in time, resources, and/or energy this coming year in response to God’s generosity? How the Shepherds Saw the Signs December 24 by Pastor Brian Larson Read Luke 2:1-20 Mary was due to deliver Jesus into the world. On the night of His birth, the angels deliver the Good News of His birth. The angelic announcement informs the shepherds that the Christ is born.
“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12)
When we read this story, we catch that these are indeed strange wrappings for a king. The King of the Jews, the King of Kings, should certainly receive more than a stable and swaddling cloths. If we were to give a precious, valuable Christmas gift, we would take the time to wrap it in pretty paper, with ribbons and bows. A brown paper bag would never do. The stable, manger, and swaddling cloths are the brown paper bag of the original Christmas. It is underwhelming, understated, and (if we weren’t so familiar with the story it would be) a huge surprise to find God’s greatest gift to the world wrapped so poorly. Surely, a palace and royal linens would be more fitting. What you and I hear is a sign of poverty. What the shepherds hear is a sign of sacrifice. The sheep they raised served several purposes, but notably the shepherds around Bethlehem raised lambs for the temple. When a lamb was born without blemish or defect, they would wrap it up in swaddling cloths to keep it from harm. Presumably, these lambs were worth more as they kept the temple supplied with sacrifices that could be bought by pilgrim families who visited the temple each year to make amends for their sins. Instead of raising their own sheep and offering a lamb from their flocks, most families would purchase a lamb in the temple courts and hand it over to the priests who would make the offering for them. The lamb’s life was given in exchange for their sins. In keeping with the covenant terms in the Torah, only lambs without blemish or defect were suitable for temple sacrifice. Shepherds were sure to take special care of such lambs until they could go to market. They would wrap them in cloths and often place them in mangers where they could be kept high and dry, safe and sound. Upon delivery, Mary would have surely nursed her newborn and then Joseph would have wrapped Him in whatever he could find … swaddling cloths would have to suffice. While Mary got some rest, Joseph placed their baby in a makeshift crib … a manger had to make due. Then prompted by the angelic announcement, the shepherds arrived at the stable to see the signs. Wrapped in swaddling cloth and lying in a manger was they saw the unmistakable signs that this was the child the angels announced, Christ the Lord. And with the experience that only the shepherds had, they saw the unmistakable signs that this child had come to be the sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world. This is the Lamb of God wrapped in swaddling cloth and lying in a manger.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of this Christ child. Thank you for taking away the sins of the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Reflection How has Jesus wrapped you up in a way that makes you acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God? (see Isaiah 61:10) How can you see and treat others in light of the Jesus’ sacrifice for them? (2 Corinthians 5:15-17) The Kingdom of Christ December 25 by Cliff Sieck
Read Colossians 1:13-20 Have you ever had someone bail you out of a tight spot? I mean a really bad pickle where you cannot get out of it yourself? Then a benefactor comes along and pays the price – a hefty price. Sometimes they do it at their own expense. What sort of person would do that?
In our reading for today, Paul is telling the Colossians that Jesus did just that for them (and he did it for us too), but in an ultimate way. He paid the price – the ransom – but it was not money - He redeemed us by dying on the cross in our stead and rising again. That is AMAZING by itself, but Paul doesn’t stop there – he goes on to tell them (and us) just who Jesus is and how incredible it is that He is:
He is the image of God and the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being. He reflects and reveals God to us. He is the firstborn of all creation, and by Him and through Him all things were created. He has ultimate priority, preeminence and is sovereign over all things. He is the King of all Creation. Yet He laid that all down to pay our ransom by dying on the cross.
We have been preparing for four weeks during Advent to welcome the birth of Christ, preparing our hearts to receive Him – the King of All – and He has finally come! Wouldn’t it be appropriate to allow Jesus to rule in our hearts - the very hearts which He redeemed and paid for – as that King of all, every day throughout this celebration of Christmas and all throughout the year?
Dear Jesus – Not only did you give us the ultimate gift of paying for our sins – paying the ransom price by dying on the cross - but you did so by humbling yourself from being King of all creation to being put to death and rising again. Please enter our hearts and rule as King in our lives on a daily basis, showing us how to share the good news with others so that you may reign in their hearts as well. Amen.
Reflection
What things are cluttering your heart that can lead to “not being enough room” for Christ the King to rule?
How can you get rid of those distractions and clutter to truly prepare for Christ to rule?
How can you show others that Christ is truly the King of your heart and could be theirs too? Go Tell It On the Mountain December 26 by Lisa Keyne
Read Matthew 28:16-20
Christmas morning at St. John! In the congregation I see my Christian friends wearing red, green, and, on occasion, a pretty amazing Christmas sweatshirt. In addition to our members, I see unfamiliar faces -- family visiting from across town, across state, across the country. All are happy and festive as we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus!
The sanctuary is beautiful with the Christmas trees lit, white linens on the altar, beautiful poinsettias, and the wonder-full mobile hanging from the ceiling. And there’s a new addition to the life-size creche! A much-loved doll is taking on the role of the baby Jesus entering our world to fulfill the Promise that a Savior will come to us.
The service draws to a close. One more hymn to sing! The notes of a favorite song start on the organ, joined by a tambourine on the refrain. I feel the joy in my heart swell. "Go! Tell it on the Mountain! Over the hills. Everywhere! Jesus Christ is born!” My feet tap, my voice lifts in song with my church family. Tell it. Because the long-awaited Messiah, our Prophet, Priest and King, is born. How can we not share?
In the Great Commission, Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus tells His disciples, “Go! Make disciples of all nations.” Christmas continues as we join in this mission - - joining with the disciples, shepherds, angel chorus, wise men, innkeepers, and Christians of all generations in sharing “...God sent us salvation, that blessed Christmas morn.” Don’t worry about getting to a mountaintop, or over the hill. Tell it everywhere, knowing, as you go, that “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the wonderful gift of Jesus Christ! Bless our Christmas joy with words of joy and salvation to share with ______. We go in courage and love, knowing you go with us! Thank you! In your Name we pray. Amen.
Reflection
What does “go” mean for you? Where might YOU go?
Think about someone with whom you would like to share Jesus. What do you want to tell them? Kid's Connection
December 20 - The King is Coming Take a box of legos, blocks, or the like, and dump it out on the floor. Spread everything out a bit and start a timer. Kids have 60 seconds to clean everything up but they cannot put the items back into the box. They must find another way to "tidy up". Likely, they will push things under the couch, tuck things away in cushions, etc. Once the time is up, say, A lot of times cleaning - especially when we have a deadline - isn't real cleaning. It simply means hiding our mess so that it can't be seen anymore. That's what we're going to talk about today. December 21 - Leaving Home Look up the "Homesick Hopps - Zootopia" clip on YouTube. After you watch it, ask, have you ever been homesick before? What is it like when you're away from home for a long time? See, Jesus left his heavenly home on Christmas. He left the comfort and wonder of heaven, to be born for you and me, so that we could one day be brought home with him to heaven! December 22 - Truth Is Play a quick game of Two Truths & a Lie. Each person says two true statements and one false one, and everyone else has to decipher which statement was true and which was false. Once you have finished, ask, How did you know what was true and what was not? Today, we are going to talk about what truth is. December 23 - Half Price Play a game of the price is right for these items. Tell your children the name of the item, and they have to guess the price. The closest guess wins. A new iphone - $999. A Big Mac - $3.99. A 2019 Ford Mustang - $26,395. A Nintendo Switch - $299. A one day ticket to Disneyland - $209. The World's Most Expensive Hotdog (for sale in Seattle) - $169. Finally, ask, what was the price paid to set you free from sin? The priceless blood of Jesus Christ.
December 24 - How the Shepherds Saw the Sign Have one of your children volunteer to play baby Jesus. Everyone else gets to wrap them in "swaddling clothes"... aka, toilet paper. Once your volunteer has been sufficiently swaddled, say, In tonight's devotion, we're going to talk about how Jesus was wrapped in 'swaddling clothes' and why that is important. December 25 - The Kingdom of Christ Play a game of "war" with some cards, except stack the deck first. To yourself, deal all the Aces and Kings. Deal the rest of the cards to everyone else. The kids will catch on pretty quick. Once they notice, explain, When Jesus was born, he brought the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth. This is a victorious Kingdom that will never lose, just like this deck. It has won all its battles with sin, death, and the devil, with Jesus its King as its leader! December 26 - Go Tell It On the Mountain Sing the chorus of, "Go Tell It On the Mountain". Once you finish, sing it again, just a tad bit faster. Continue speeding up each time until no one can keep up anymore. Then, begin the devotion.