We are reconciled to our Father because Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world. We abide in Him to the praise and glory of His name.
Acts 2:36
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
In these troubling times in the USA that we are living in my greatest consolation is the truth that “Joy in the Lord” is my strength. May this season of renewal give you hope for Gods’ will on earth. May we give to others, as we strive to be the hands and feet of our Savior, the forgiveness, mercy and grace that God has given to us. Carla
Luke 2:9-11 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Angels were heralds of the new-born Saviour, but they were only sent to some poor, humble, pious, industrious shepherds, who were in the business of their calling, keeping watch over their flock. We are not out of the way of Divine visits, when we are employed in an honest calling, and abide with God in it. Let God have the honour of this work; Glory to God in the highest. God’s good-will to men, manifested in sending the Messiah, redounds to his praise. Other works of God are for his glory, but the redemption of the world is for his glory in the highest. God’s goodwill in sending the Messiah, brought peace into this lower world. Peace is here put for all that good which flows to us from Christ’s taking our nature upon him. This is a faithful saying, attested by an innumerable company of angels, and well worthy of all acceptation, That the good-will of God toward men, is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the earth. The shepherds lost no time, but came with haste to the place. They were satisfied, and made known abroad concerning this child, that he was the Saviour, even Christ the Lord. Mary carefully observed and thought upon all these things, which were so suited to enliven her holy affections. We should be more delivered from errors in judgment and practice, did we more fully ponder these things in our hearts. It is still proclaimed in our ears that to us is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord. These should be glad tidings to all. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Matthew 1:20–21
But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:16–17
And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.
Matthew 16:16
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Acts 5:31
Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
When I was a child, I would often ask my mother, “Is it going to be okay?” Back then, I knew there were adults in the room—my parents, our political leaders—to reassure me. They were the ones who stepped forward to speak to the nation as one. They knew it was their duty to instill hope, minimize fear, and steady us. It was their job.
Where are those people today?
This week, a flight attendant leaned down and asked me, “Who is our voice these days? Who can be our voice?”
Here is my answer: You are. I am.
We are. Together.
Years ago, as I sat in the ICU with my mother, a nurse stopped and asked me, “Do you need anything?”
Trained by my mother never to need for anything and never to complain, I quickly said, “Oh no, please. Help someone else who has it worse.”
The nurse looked into my tired eyes and said: “There’s no competition here. Everyone in the ICU is having a hard time. Everyone here needs help.”
That truth has stayed with me. That’s what things feel like now.
Life isn’t a competition. It’s not about who has it worse. We all need tending to. We all need help for all our feels.” (Thank you, Maria Shriver)
So. We are back to the paradigm shift for our week. Instead of “What do you believe?” we ask, “Please tell me what (or how) you choose?”
Yes. Today, in a world that can feel upside down, I can choose to be merciful. I can choose to be kindhearted, inclusive and empathetic. I can choose to stand up for justice and to create sanctuaries for healing and forgiveness.
And here's the good news: The bounty from compassion is not predicated on life as we expect it.
The replenishment from grace doesn't start when our fear is gone.
Or when our beliefs are unadulterated.
Or when our circumstances make it feasible.
Most likely, if we wait for all that, we miss rebirth, comfort, healing, being fed to fullness... and the “miracles”—the little gifts of Grace—every time. Sabbath Moments
Isaiah 50:6 "I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting."
The speaker here is the Servant of the Lord, who was fully obedient to God and willingly offered Himself to humiliation and violence without retaliation.
Today's scripture is found in the portion of Isaiah's book known as the "Servant Songs" (which also include Isaiah 42:1-9, Isaiah 49:1-13, and Isaiah 52:13-53:12). These prophecies depict a Servant who suffers on behalf of others, establishes justice, and delivers the world from the bondage of sin. Written centuries before Jesus' birth, these scriptures ultimately point to Him as the Messiah who suffered to reconcile us with God. In Matthew 26:67, we see the fulfillment of Isaiah 50:6 as Roman soldiers beat and mocked Jesus before His crucifixion: "Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him ..."
Through the torment of the cross, Jesus endured the deepest forms of humiliation, shame, and violence. And though He could have destroyed His offenders with a word (2 Thessalonians 2:8), He willingly "set [His] face like a flint" and was firm in His resolve to endure (Isaiah 50:7).
Bible scholar Charles Spurgeon says it this way: "No man could have scarred that blessed back of his unless Christ had been willing, out of mighty love, to suffer in this way for his people." Jesus' suffering here on earth was not an act of weakness but of strength rooted in love. He fully surrendered to the Father's will so He could free us from sin and death.
On the cross, Jesus endured unimaginable injustice "but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23). When we endure wrongdoing and are tempted to take matters into our own hands, we can look to our Savior, who suffered on our behalf, as the perfect example of choosing humility even in the face of pain and persecution. We can surrender our right to retaliate and instead remember the act of surrender He has offered to us. First5
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