Alexis Patterson, GFC Lutz
John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
This season highlights the promise fulfilled through the birth and crucifixion of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As believers, we find ourselves reflecting on the amazing and glorifying promise of our redemptive Savior. God’s promise of a true King that would dwell among us in flesh on this earth, the Lamb of God who would sacrifice His very life to fulfill prophecy and the promise many Old Testament prophets shared ... that He would save the souls of many. Jesus, the perfect teacher, the perfect example, and the perfect sacrifice.
Jesus, fully human and fully God. Jesus, who would conquer death. Our one true King, a King that wasn’t recognizable to many who anxiously awaited His arrival. The King that would be a servant among us. He modeled every holy example of how to live as a child of God. He is Royalty, He is Sovereign, He is God. I try to imagine what it must have been like to live in such a time when all that you have been waiting for and anticipating finally came. What it must have been like to witness God in the flesh. Would I have received Him? Would I have been skeptical? Would I have been enthralled and enthused by His ways, His teachings, and His miracles? Do you know how it feels when you have prayed for that special something in your life and when God finally fulfills that promise to you? I imagine similar emotions running through all that witnessed Jesus in person. Parts of you are so excited that it’s finally happening, your prayers have been answered and there’s that other part of you that wonders is this real? Is this my answered prayers?
With obedience He would teach, lead, disciple, and eventually pay the biggest price there could ever be paid. For Jesus, there was no price He wouldn’t pay to do what the Father sent Him to do. During the days leading up to Easter, I reflect on what happened that day when the great exchange was made. It was an exchange of my sin, my waywardness, my shame and guilt for cleanliness and reconciliation to the Father. The toughest day for God would be the best day for me. The sacrifice that would be made so that my atonement would take place. He is Jesus, the Perfect Teacher, the Perfect Example, the Perfect Sacrifice.
God knew the mixture of emotions we would have accepting His gift of the Savior so He ensured that He would leave us with more to hope for and less to doubt. Before we were ever created, God then and now has given us so much evidence pointing to Jesus. Patient and steadfast God requires us to wait for His final promise to come to pass. Do you believe it, do you receive it? Our King is coming back for us! As I await, patiently and steadfast I know the Holy Spirit dwells with me everyday until the day comes when Jesus makes all things new. Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Prayer:
O Most High God, Thank You for your promises. We are waiting with anticipation for all things to be made new. Today, I am grateful for your Word, the Word that became flesh, the Word that was with you in creation and came with all power and glory to redeem the lives of your children. We focus on Jesus as you have asked, knowing that He is the way, the truth and the light. Father, Thank You for the sacrifice of your Son. In Jesus’ name, Amen.