TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God…” Mark 1:1
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Mark begins his Gospel with the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. Israel has longed for the Messiah for more than a thousand years—a King prophesied about over 300 times in the Old Testament. It was promised the Messiah would establish his Kingdom over all nations and last forever (Daniel 7:13-14).
Today we celebrate that longing for the Messiah during this Advent season, culminating at Christmas in just three weeks. Advent actually means the arrival of a notable person, thing or event. Ironically, Jesus was not the notable king Israel expected. Instead of arriving in splendor to live in a palace surrounded by servants, he was born to an unmarried couple in a stable among smelly animals. Jesus humbly and sacrificially gave up his position with God to become a man who obeyed and served God by dying a shameful death on the cross (Philippians 2:5-8).
Jesus was a cruciform (cross-shaped) king, who lived a cruciform life to give eternal life through his humble and sacrificial death. And what does this king want from us? To live cross-shaped lives and bring glory to his name by humbly and sacrificially loving and serving, the way he showed us.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Sit quietly with God and listen to the Charles Wesley hymn, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus. Let these lyrics soak in deeply with a heart of thankfulness. “Born Thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King. Born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious Kindom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; By thine all sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne.” From this heart of thankfulness, reflect back on this week and answer the two questions on page 90 of your journal.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
