JESUS, THE ALMIGHTY GOD
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David.” Luke 1:32, ESV
Theme: Jesus is great, worthy of the throne and the title of “Son of the Most High.” He shatters our expectation of what greatness looks like.
BE RESPECTFUL
There are societal conventions that we learn as little children. You don’t call your schoolteacher by his/her first name. You say “Yes, Sir” or “Yes, Ma’am” to the police officer who has pulled you over. Although newscasters sometimes call Presidents by last names only, they never do in person! It’s always, “Mr. President.”
BABY JESUS
At this time of year, we focus on Jesus, the Infant Son of God. Like Will Ferrell in “Talladega Nights,” we can start thinking of the Prince of all eternity as “Little Baby Jesus” with his “Little Baby Jesus powers.” This clip is a disrespectful prayer, yet it is also an extreme but convicting example of something we all tend to do at Christmas: focus on a helpless, though holy, Infant.
THE REALITY
The truth is that Jesus was and is God. He has died, risen, and is glorified, seated at the right hand of the Father. He is “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” according to Isaiah 9:6b (ESV). Although He emptied Himself of His power and majesty when He came to earth as a Baby (Philippians 2:6-7), He is no longer helpless. He is both humble and powerful, a Servant King and the Commander of Heaven’s armies. Though we may be tempted to overlook this gentle Shepherd, He deserves all the glory and honor we give Him, and more.
Make It Personal: At different times of year and seasons of life, we view God differently. He is Healer, Comforter, Suffering Servant, and Lamb of God. He is the Holy Child and the Mighty Warrior. He is all that you need, now and forevermore. It’s fine to focus on the Name or characteristic of Jesus you need in the moment: say, High Priest and Intercessor, Provider, or Defender of the Righteous. However, it is not okay to forget Jesus is Everything: Alpha and Omega, Creator, and Forever King.
Pray: Father, we thank You for the Son, our Shepherd and Savior. We thank You for sending Him, God Incarnate, to live among us and experience humanity. We thank You that even now, He has a human, resurrected body, yet He is Almighty God and our High Priest forever. Help us remember, honor, and worship Him in all His glory and for all His mighty work of salvation on our behalf. May we see him not only as our Friend but as our King. In Jesus’ powerful Name we pray. Amen.
Read: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; Revelation 1:10-18
Weekly Memory Verse:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9, ESV