THE WAY
Sarah Sloan
Today's Scripture: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15, ESV
Theme: Emmanuel, “God with us,” came to be fully human so He could reconcile us to God.
MUCH SPIRITUALITY
Over the past 10 months, my family and I have been traveling the country together, trying to experience the beauty of God’s creation--and loving others we come in contact with along the way. One of the main things that we pray for as we travel is that God would give us the opportunity to meet people, wherever they are on their journey of faith, and show them just a little bit of Jesus.
We’ve befriended staunch atheists and gotten close to families that lay crystals out in the moon each night. We’ve had long conversations with spiritualists from Native American backgrounds and those who tie their roots to the Salem witch trials. We’ve spent time listening, befriending, and waiting for God to show us the right moment to speak. And through it all, what constantly amazes me is the difference between Christianity and every other spiritual or religious option out there.
CHRIST ALONE
I know one of the common platitudes in our culture is that “there are many ways to get to God” and “all the religions are basically the same.” But the truth is, there just aren’t many ways to God. Nothing and no one else is like Jesus. Christianity alone stands out. Jesus alone is the way to God.
Why is Jesus alone the truth? It’s because Christianity alone is the only religion that says we can’t and will never be good enough on our own. All the judgements that stem from our inability to fulfill the laws were washed away by the blood of Jesus. Only Christianity says you can’t save yourself by your works. Only through Jesus is God’s love great enough to bend down and lower Himself to our human level, love great enough to surrender and sacrifice to the point of death. And only in Christ do we have a mediator; One who is willing to stand in our place; to intercede for us.
Only Jesus, the God-man, who was perfect and without sin, yet is not a stranger to our weaknesses and temptations, could be the perfect mediator. Only Jesus could offer a sacrifice great enough to secure eternal redemption for all, once and for all. Christmas is the perfect time to remember that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with Us. We do not pray to a far off, unfathomable God. Jesus came here; He became one of us; He knows us, and He loves us. So, let us celebrate this season, the very time when Jesus laid everything down for us, to come to us. Let us celebrate that we can cry out to a God who is personal and an ever-present help in time of need. Our intercessor and mediator came for us and became one of us. What a true Christmas miracle. What a true Christmas gift!
Make It Personal: This Christmas, if you have already received the gift of Jesus and if you already know “the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” I challenge you to share this gift boldly with others in your life. Nothing and no one compares to Jesus. No religious beliefs come close to the truth of Jesus. And if you have never personally experienced Jesus, I implore you to give the Man Jesus a try. Once you’ve experienced Him and see that He truly is living, you will know without a doubt that there is a difference between religion and a God who saves.
Pray: Jesus, thank You for being Emanuel, God with us. Thank You for humbling Yourself to that of humanity. Thank You for bearing the burden of my failures and flaws. I owe You everything--even my life. This Christmas, help me to come boldly before You. Help me to know that through Your blood, I am made right and new before God. I want to know You personally. I want to walk through life with You, knowing You have experienced and understand both weakness and temptation, and that You can carry me. Help me cling to You. Take every one of my doubts and show me the truth of who You are. Help me to grow more, daily, in the knowledge and truth of who You are. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
Read: 1 Timothy 2:3-6; Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:26-28; John 20:30-31
Weekly Memory Verse: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14, ESV