Scripture to Read: Matthew 11:27
Merry Christmas!!! Today, we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though we’ll be in Matthew 11:27–30 this week, it’s appropriate for today to examine Luke 1 as Gabriel told Mary about the birth of our Lord. Many theologians believe Mary was only 13 or 14 years old, and Joseph was around 17 to 18 when all of this happened. During Christ's time, the culture of the Jews was for young men to enter into manhood at age 13, so most young men were married by age 18. Considering Mary and Joseph's ages, this would have been an incredibly tough story to share with their families and friends. But God was already working in Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, because Elizabeth was six months pregnant with John the Baptist. When Mary showed up at Elizabeth and Zacharias' house, Mary called out to Elizabeth and when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth's womb. For John the Baptist, still in Elizabeth's womb, to leap was an incredible sign from God that Mary was carrying the King of all kings. Often, Christians in America today still look for signs from God. God still performs miracles today, but we, as Christians, have so much more than Mary and the other believers had in the time of Christ. God has given us His Holy Word and God has also given us Himself through His Holy Spirit living in us. If we want to see God's miraculous work, we must not miss the miracle of new birth in us through Christ and the lives He is transforming all around us.
Challenge & Application
· As you celebrate this Christmas Day, thank our Lord for the most precious gift He gave us: Himself!
· How have you seen the miracle of transformation in your life and in other Christians you know?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!