2017 JBU Advent Devotional

2017

a weekly devotional nov. 19 - dec. 25, 2017

Dear friend, When I was growing up, I remember Christmas being a time for celebrating the birth of Jesus and a time for lots of fun. The sights, sounds and smells were wonderful and very special. However, as I became older, I came to understand that Advent is not always this way. My family experienced this personally when my father died just four days before Christmas. I was very young at the time, and it took me many years to realize that the Advent season had become a very difficult time for my mother and older siblings after this huge loss.

Reading Luke 1 and 2, I am reminded from my experience that the Christmas season can be difficult for some. Our expectations of the holidays often do not match reality. We are imperfect people living in a broken world that is filled with pain, loss, regret, health concerns and difficulties. Even though we understand that it is all part of the human experience, we can still question how it fits together in our lives. Perhaps you are experiencing difficulties or pain this Advent season. Do you wonder if and how God will work it for His glory?

In the pages that follow, you will read about Zacharias, Gabriel and Jesus, along with other key individuals in the Advent story. But Luke also introduces us to Anna, the prophetess mentioned in the later verses of chapter 2 who experienced grief and loss in her life. Luke describes her as very old, widowed just seven years after her wedding. It is hard to be widowed at any point, but it must have been particularly hard to be so for most of her life and especially in first century Jerusalem. Anna lived her life in the temple, worshipping God, praying and fasting–and though her life had disappointment and grief, one wonderful day she unexpectedly encountered the baby Jesus, the Messiah, who would bring hope to the world. Jesus met her where she was.

We welcome this opportunity to share the 2017 Advent season with you through weekly readings of Luke’s gospel and reflections from several JBU faculty. Whatever you are facing, may Jesus, our Messiah and our hope meet you where you are.

Dr. Jim Krall Vice President, University Advancement

Week One 2 Nov 19 - 25 Luke 1:15-15, 18-20

“In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias…and he had a wife…Elizabeth. And they were both righteous… walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

And they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren…Now it came about, while he was performing his priestly service before God…he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense…And an angel of the Lord appeared to him...And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear gripped him. But the angel said to him, “do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John…And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this for certain? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and I have been sent to bring you this good news.

And behold, you shall be silent….”

L

Zechariah

uke begins his detailed account of the Gospel story with historical references to Herod the Great, Zechariah and Elizabeth, an elderly couple (both over sixty-years of age!), who descended from the priestly tribe of Levi. Luke noted the exceptional character of the couple as “righteous,” and “blameless,” not just for keeping the law of Moses, but all the “regulations of the Lord.” However, this God-honoring couple “had no children.” The character of holiness for this priest and his wife was highlighted just before this revelation of barrenness to counter commonly held ideas about infertility in Jewish culture. In Jewish faith, the historical comparison with Abraham and Sarah, Elkanah and Hannah and others was meant to prepare those hearing this story for something significant.

Luke’s description of Zechariah’s service in the temple is fascinating.

Common priests only served in Jerusalem for two weeks a year. Many priests were available, but most never served within the “sanctuary” (Holy Place) just outside the Holy of Holies where only the High Priest could go once a year. Zechariah was “chosen by lot” out of a pool of priests who had never before served in the sanctuary. To cast incense upon the altar in the Holy Place was a once-in-a-lifetime honor for any priest. This was done during the time people gathered for prayer in the temple courtyards.

The contrast between Zechariah’s place in the “sanctuary” and the people “outside” is intended to draw attention to the simultaneous prayers of both the priest and the people.

While the people prayed outside, what did Zechariah pray for during this once-in-a lifetime opportunity? A son. After a lifetime of unanswered prayer, Gabriel described in detail how this son, John, filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb, would accomplish the Messianic mission to prepare the way of the Lord for the work of salvation.

Zechariah’s doubt and need for a sign and his subsequent inability to speak is presented as a stark contrast to Elizabeth’s faith and expression of praise. This contrast raised a question for Israel then and for us today: How does our response to the “impossible” promises of God manifest in the season of Advent affect our witness in the world? Do we, even secretly, doubt parts of the Christmas story and find ourselves mute?

Or do we believe God’s word no matter how “impossible” it might seem and herald, “what the Lord has done” as our witness to the world?

Dr. Robbie Castleman Professor Emeritus, Biblical Studies

Week Two 2 Nov 26 - Dec 2 Luke 1:26-38

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Hail favored one! The Lord is with you…Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus…Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God….” And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord….”

Gabriel

I

n Luke 1, Gabriel tells Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, that his wife will have a son. But in this passage, Gabriel goes to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Why? Though she is betrothed to Joseph and not yet married, Mary will have a son! God the Holy Spirit will do the work.

Even Elizabeth, in her old age, will have a baby. Nothing is impossible with God! Mary shows her thoughtfulness and faithfulness in her response to Gabriel. When he greets her, Mary wonders at the significance of his words. She asks how this will happen, since she is a virgin. When Gabriel tells her God will do the work, she declares herself to be the Lord’s servant, trusting in God’s providence.

But Mary’s son, and not Mary’s words, secures her place in human history. Gabriel instructs her to name the baby Jesus, but tells her that He will have other names, too. He will be called great. The Son of the Most High. He will sit on David’s throne, and His kingdom will last forever. Jesus will be called holy. He will be called the Son of God. Mary’s connection to Jesus makes her great, and the same is true of us. Our worth is found in Jesus.

May we follow Mary’s example. When we are confused, ask God for wisdom. And remember: Mary demonstrated faithfulness in her submission to God’s will. So, don’t be distracted this Christmas. Don’t be anxious. Be grateful. Be confident. Our hope is found in Jesus.

Dr. James Bruce Associate Professor, Philosophy

Week Three 2 Dec 3 - 9 Luke 1:39-45

“Now at this time Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it came about that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice, and said, “Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

Elizabeth

I

vividly remember sitting in the waiting room at my obstetrician’s office.

I was newly pregnant for the first time and contentedly waiting for my name to be called. Within a few minutes of sitting down, however, my eyes were drawn to a very pregnant woman pacing the room. Her belly was huge, her ankles were swollen, and she was rubbing her lower back– in a word, miserable. I panicked. I had prayed for a baby for years, yet sitting here, observing the fate that awaited me in a few short months, I was overcome with fear and anxiety. Was I really strong enough for this?

As I read the story of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, I can’t help but wonder if Mary felt some of these same emotions. She was young, unmarried, and had just been visited by an angel who told her the incredible news that she would conceive a baby by the Holy Spirit.

Though Mary was humble and obedient, she must have found comfort in the additional message from the angel that her relative Elizabeth was miraculously pregnant in her old age. As soon as the angel left, Mary made the long trek to visit Elizabeth. Before Mary could even reveal her news, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and her unborn baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth prophetically proclaimed the words, “Blessed you are among women and blessed is the child you will bear!”

This greeting must have been wondrous to the young virgin’s ears, confirmation that the words spoken to her by the angel were true. The text says that Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months, making it likely that she was present for the birth of Elizabeth’s son, and possibly preparing Mary for her own labor and delivery. Elizabeth served as an example of faith in the Lord and bore witness to Mary of His unfailing promises. As Christians, we need people in our lives to attest that our God is trustworthy to do what He says He will do. In this season of Advent, may we be comforted by and grateful for the Elizabeths in our lives, and may we follow her faithful example in the lives of others.

Dr. Carla Swearingen Dean of Faculty Development

Week Four 2 Dec 10 - 16 Luke 1:57-65

“Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her. And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father. But his mother answered and said, “No, indeed; but he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “there is no one among our relatives who is called by that name.” And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. ”

John the Baptist

G

od sent an angel to Zacharias to tell him that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a child. The angel also told Zacharias to name this child John and that he would turn many Israelites back to God as a forerunner for Christ. Even though Zacharias was a priest, he did not believe the angel’s words, replying that he and his wife were old. As a result, Gabriel silenced him. Miraculously, Elizabeth became pregnant and a child was born. The couple knew what to name him: John.

Zacharias then believed and his tongue was loosed. He knew that God would use John to prepare His ways.

As believers, we sometimes have doubts, like Zacharias. When situations do not seem right in our eyes, we doubt God’s plan. From creation, God had planned to redeem His relationship with mankind.

He used many Old Testament prophets to reveal this plan: to send the Messiah who would save people from their sins. In God’s plan, John was to prepare the way for Christ.

This God, who called John for His purposes, is the same God who calls us today. Again, sometimes we doubt God’s calling in our lives because of confusing situations we encounter every day. However, when we put aside our limited perspective and remember how God has been faithful, we have hope—hope that the calling we received will be fulfilled even though we may be too young or too old or have limited resources or abilities. Let’s embrace that hope and keep praying that we, like John, will glorify God and His kingdom.

Dr. Ted Song Assistant Professor, Engineering

Week Five 2 Dec 17 - 23 Luke 2:1-7

“Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the City of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was with child. And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.�

C

Joseph & Mary

aesar Augustus had decreed that “all the world” should be registered.

It was a mighty order from a mighty man, one who took the name “Augustus” (“majestic” or “holy”) to remind everyone of his power.

He demonstrated his authority through the building of spectacular monuments to himself and the Roman Empire—the Roman Forum, libraries, gardens, aqueducts, and temples. He built a cult around himself, deifying his name. One inscription in his honor boasted that “the birthday of the god [Augustus] has marked the beginning of the good news for the world.”

Contrast this with the young couple Luke describes in his Gospel, about to have their first child, caught up in the political machinations of this colossal Roman Empire, ordered by this self-identified mighty man to register. They were also royalty, but royalty of a different kind. They were descendants of David, the King of Israel, the one whose seed would lead to the establishment of a new kingdom of peace for Israel. Despite their royal heritage, Mary and Joseph made no claims on their status.

Instead, they obeyed the decree, even as Mary was close to giving birth and hardly fit for a ninety-mile trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

This is the beauty of Jesus’ entry into the world. God himself used the decree of an unjust claimant to His throne to bring about the fulfillment of His Word—the Word which said that the “one who is to be ruler in Israel” would come from Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph were from a royal line, but they were about to bring into the world the true and final King, the one who, through the humility of the incarnation, would change everything. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus didn’t need forums, libraries, gardens, or temples. All they needed was obedience and a manger.

Dr. Trisha Posey Associate Professor, History

Week Six 2 Dec 24 - 25 Luke 2:7-20

“And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy…the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby…And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

W

Jesus

hen a baby is born, there is usually one major response: “What a beautiful baby!” We see comments on social media and proclamations of congratulations for the new parents and grandparents, but it’s usually this one basic message.

When we read about the birth of Jesus, however, there are many different responses: Rejection – Jesus was rejected because there was no room at the inn.

Proclamation and worship – Angels lit up the sky to tell unsuspecting shepherds that Jesus had been born, and then burst into song, giving glory to God for Christ’s birth.

Shock and evangelism – The shepherds didn’t even know that Jesus was being born, but after being told of Him, they went to see. After seeing Jesus, the shepherds “spread the word” and everyone who heard them were amazed. They, too, were amazed, and couldn’t stop worshipping God. Reflection – As Mary watched the reactions to Jesus, she “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Even though she had more information about Jesus than anyone, she still had much to think about.

The birth of Jesus still causes these reactions today, and not just from people who don’t know Him. It’s easy to assume we would react in one of the good ways, but reality is that even faithful Christians can struggle with all of these reactions to the Son of God. It’s easy to accept Christ as our Savior, but reject Him as the Lord who has the right to direct every part of our lives. It’s easy to sing Christmas carols and read about Christ’s birth in the gospels, but not really worship Him or reflect on what He wants to do in our lives. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, I pray that we look beyond the one, easy response to the birth of a baby, and recognize that this baby changed history, and wants to change each one of us every day.

Dr. Rod Reed University Chaplain

Personal Reflections

Merry Christmas From our Family to Yours

John Brown University 2000 West University Street Siloam Springs, AR 72761 jbu.edu