5th. January. 2021. Daily Devotion.
Today is the last day of the traditional celebration of Christmas; tomorrow, the epiphany is celebrated, and our season ends. We remember the purpose of Christmas by reading one of the most beloved and meaningful passages from the Bible, John’s summation of Christ’s mission:
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 3:16-21
We so often let these words slip into the back of our mind: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order to save it.” It is a constant temptation to condemn. And Christians, being only human, can be as bad as anyone on this account. Really, we can be even worse than atheists, since when we condemn, we act as though we have God’s authority.
But if condemnation is not God’s purpose in sending Christ to us, why should it be ours? Are we better than Christ? Do we know more?
Christ will indeed come again to judge the world, but we must always remember, it is He who is commissioned to judge us, not we who are commissioned to judge others. Our job is to follow Christ. We are followers. Many people want to be leaders, but Christian leadership is a service and a burden, not an act of self-glorification. We should never forget that our only true goal, whether we are ministers or elders or bishops or the unnoticed person sitting in the back corner of the balcony, is to follow Christ. M Barge
Prayers
Almighty God, who called your Church to witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you and against one another, in thought, and word, and deed. We are truly sorry for our pride, and for our lack of faith, of understanding and of love. We repent of our narrow-mindedness, of our bitterness and our prejudices. Pardon and forgive us, save us and renew us, that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, we know that everything is in Your sovereign control. We ask that You keep this new coronavirus from continuing to spread. Give government officials the ability to safely handle people arriving from other countries. Help people decide to stay home instead of traveling or going out needlessly. Holy Spirit remind people to wash their hands properly. And while it may be heart-breaking, comfort families as they decide to keep their distance from elderly or other high-risk family members. Amen.
