with devotion

Devotions from Romans

I have so enjoyed sharing Christmas devotions here. I hope that you have had a chance to catch a few of my musings on the nativity story. Tomorrow I will begin the New Year by sharing devotional thoughts from the book of Romans. The epistle is the longest of ones written by Paul. It was written to a church composed of both Jews and Gentiles. Paul dictated it to his friend Tertius around AD 56 when he was in Corinth. British theologian NT Wright says that it is "neither a systematic theology nor a summary of Paul's lifework, but it is by common consent his masterpiece." I invite you to travel with me in a journey to unwrap this beautiful masterpiece.

He will be called a Nazarene.

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.” So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.” -Matthew 2:19-23 NLT

This is the third and fourth time that we read of an angel speaking to Joseph in a dream. Each time the adopted father of Jesus acted on what he dreamed. Small wonder that such a man was entrusted with the human life of the Son of God. Has God ever spoken to you in a dream? I can only remember one time that I had a somewhat heavenly dream. It was so vivid and spoke to me about helping those less fortunate. I wonder how many are still led by God in dreams?

The nativity story has now come full circle. Mary is back to where it all started - back to where the angel first appeared to her. With her husband by her side things seem to be back to "normal". Jesus would grow up in Nazareth surrounded by grandparents and extended family. I so love that aspect of the story. It reminds me of how much we all need to be surrounded by a spiritual community of faith, family and friends that will lovingly support and encourage us.

Call us back to Nazareth Lord. Back to where we first heard you speak to our heart.

A cry was heard in Ramah ...

Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A cry was heard in Ramah — weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.”
-Matthew 2:16-18 NLT

I so wish that this was not a part of the Christmas story. Would that insane people like Herod never existed. Would that power-crazy leaders like him never ruled a nation. It begs the question of how such things could ever happen. Many blame and question God when people do horrible things like this. I am not one of those people. I see this sort of vile and evil action coming from within creation and not from without. Sick people like Herod have always done bad things.

So how are we to respond when we read and hear of such unspeakable acts? I believe that we are called to weep and mourn with the families of those who are hurting so much. We are to be the hearts, hands, feet and voices of Christ. Our actions should be ones that bring peace, not more turmoil, in the midst of the storm. And somehow we are called to forgive and love even deranged enemies like Herod. We must not allow hatred for such people to consume us.

Empower us today Lord to be your hearts, hands, feet and voices in the earth. Help us to be consumed with your love.

Flee to Egypt with the child ...

When it was time to leave, the Magi returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” -Matthew 2:12-15 NLT

Just as things were getting "normal" an angel shows up in a dream and tells them that there is a bounty on the baby's head. Something tells me that this was not the life that Mary and Joseph had imagined when the angel first told them that the baby that Mary would carry was the Messiah. The joy that they had briefly experienced with the Magi has been turned inside out. Would that the Magi had stayed home. Perhaps then Herod would not have known about Jesus?

Have you ever had your plans turned inside out? Have your dreams ever come crashing down all around you? Many times our lives are filled with segues to Egypt. And life is not the one we wanted. In times like these it is good to remember Mary, Joseph and Jesus separated from family and living in Egypt. Sometimes the dream of a future resurrection has to percolate in Egypt. As we answer God's call we are often led into uncomfortable foreign places.

Dear Lord Jesus, teach us to trust you in places that are foreign, lonely and uncomfortable.

Magi from the east ...

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. -Matthew 2:1-2,10-11 NLT

Unlike the images that are seen on many Christmas cards the Magi, or wise men, were not present in the stable with the shepherds after Jesus was born. Some time has passed. Mary and Joseph have consecrated the baby Jesus in Jerusalem forty days after his birth. It has been a while since these men saw the star in their home land. When the wise men arrive they do not find a baby in a stable but a child in a house. Even so, they acknowledge him as a king.

Up until this time only Jews have been involved in the nativity story. Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna were all Jews. So interesting how men from another country (perhaps Persia) were alerted by some sort of astronomical happening in the sky. It reminds me that this message is not one that is limited to an ethnicity or race. The Messiah came not just for Israel but for everyone. And we, with the Magi, are overjoyed that he has come into the world.

I amazed Lord at how much you confirmed your word to Mary and Joseph. Confirm your word in our hearts today.

Simeon took him in his arms ...

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” -Luke 2:28-35 NLT

Another actor in this divine story now appears as Mary and Joseph takes Jesus to Jerusalem to be consecrated in the temple some forty days after he was born. Simeon is overwhelmed as he embraces the baby Jesus and understands that he is holding the Messiah. His prophetic words speak to the mission of this baby king to save us and radiate the glory of God. Interesting how yet another person has given confirmation and courage to the young parents.

I wonder what was going on in Mary's heart and mind as Simeon prophesies about the impact that her son will have on her fellow Israelis? Did she consider them as her son matured, confronted religious authorities and healed so many hurting people? And what did she make of "a sword will pierce your own soul"? I wonder if she looked back on those words as she watched her son carry his cross? It reminds me of how Jesus still reveals the thoughts of our hearts.

Open our eyes Lord that we might see your salvation. Please shine that light of revelation on our hearts today.

The heavenly host appeared ...

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. -Luke 2:13-18 NLT

This passage seems to indicate that the veil between heaven and earth was pulled back as divine beings could no longer restrain their voices. The entrance of the baby Messiah to planet earth seemed to overwhelm these as they spoke of God being glorified in heaven and peace coming to earth. Glory and peace seem to be fitting words for the occasion. From that day forward everyone who embraced him would see the glory of God and experience his peace.

Can you see the shepherds running towards that stable? The look on their faces must have been one of amazement as they saw the baby Jesus laying in a feeding trough surrounded by his young parents. And how did their appearance impact Joseph and Mary? Can you feel the joy welling up in their hearts as the shepherds told them of the angels and the heavenly host? These who have struggled for nine months had divine confirmation of what God had told them.

Open our eyes dear Lord Jesus that we might see your glory. Open our heart to experience your peace.

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