TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 6:25-59
I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. - John 6:47-48
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1917, peasants in the Russian Revolution carried signs demanding “Bread, Peace, and Land.” No wonder bread is called the staff of life--it’s as indispensable as peace and land! In some ancient cultures, bread was even used for currency. “To eat bread” simply meant to have a meal. Bakers for royalty were often important officials--recall the story of Joseph (Gen. 40:1).

The context for today’s passage is the miraculous feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1–15). Jesus knew that hungry people might be tempted to follow Him simply for daily bread. His apparent rebuke (v. 26) was to show the people that they really needed a different kind of bread altogether (v. 27). Jesus knew that bread alone could not sustain life (Matt. 4:4).

These people did have some inkling of heavenly bread--that’s why they mentioned the manna their fathers had eaten (v. 31). Yet they missed the fact that miraculous bread had again come down from heaven.

After Jesus showed the people that the Father--not Moses--was the source of manna (v. 32), He began to show them that the Father had gone beyond sending heavenly bread again; indeed He had sent the very Bread of God (v. 33). Yet the people missed this (v. 34), so Jesus openly proclaimed, “I am the Bread of Life!” (v. 35).

Sadly, the religious officials were offended that Jesus, whose origins they thought they knew (v. 42) could make this claim--a claim to deity! Because their hearts were hardened, they would not be able to understand that, when Jesus said, “This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (v. 51), He was alluding to His sacrificial mission. Truly the only one who “feeds on this bread will live forever” (v. 58).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Our Lord knows that we learn spiritual truths with physical symbols.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 23; John 10:1-18
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep - John 10:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his excellent book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23,Phillip Keller offers profound insights into this well-loved psalm from his own years as a sheep rancher. Only a few pages will show that taking care of sheep is hard work! As Keller writes, “Sheep do not 'just take care of themselves ’ as some might suppose. They require, more than any other class of livestock, endless attention and meticulous care.” For example, in order for sheep to “lie down in green pastures,” they must feel secure, be free from stinging flies, and not feel any hunger.

Because of the care required for leading people, the shepherd has been a metaphor for civic leaders as far back as Homer. King David, in addition to tending sheep, was called the shepherd of Israel (2 Sam. 5:2). Hundreds of years after David died, Ezekiel prophesied, “I will place over them [a] shepherd . . . He will tend them and be their shepherd” (Ezek. 34:23). Clearly our Lord Jesus Christ fulfills this prophecy. Matthew 9:36 says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Let’s look at today’s passage in John 10 and consider a few things about our Lord, the Good Shepherd. First, only the true shepherd, entering by the gate, comes to the sheep legitimately; thieves and robbers try to creep into the sheep pen (v. 1). Second, the shepherd calls the sheep by name and because the sheep know the shepherd’s voice, they will follow him (v. 4). In the Middle East today, when several flocks are penned together, this technique of identifying individual flocks is still often practiced.

Next, Jesus is like the door of the sheep pen (v. 7). Shepherds often slept across the door of the pen to keep the sheep in and wild animals out. Finally, the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (v. 11). Romans 5:8 says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What greater love could a shepherd have for his sheep?
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It may have been a long time since you tended any sheep! For most of us, it’s hard to appreciate fully the beautiful imagery of Psalm 23.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 11:17-27
I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies. - John 11:25
TODAY IN THE WORD
A recent television talk show revealed that 94 percent of Americans believe in God or some higher power. Eighty-one percent believe in some form of heaven. Yet as one viewer wryly queried, if so many people believe that it will be positive after death, why are people terrified of dying?

Perhaps it’s because believing in some type of afterlife is not the same as believing in the One who makes resurrection life possible. Martha felt that things would have been different had Jesus been there earlier (v. 21). Perhaps there was an edge in her voice when she said this, even though she knew that Jesus could still redeem the situation (v. 22).

It may seem surprising that Jesus said Lazarus would rise again (v. 23); although this didn’t seem surprising to Martha. Scholars are divided over Jewish understanding of resurrection at this time, but Martha may have believed in some general resurrection for the nation in the future Day of the Lord.

It seems, however, that this assurance didn’t comfort her. Gently, Jesus led Martha to a correct understanding of resurrection (v. 25), boldly declaring, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

Most likely Martha had no idea what Jesus was talking about! Her brother believed in Jesus but lay dead in a tomb; she believed in Jesus but knew that she must someday die.

The key here is to see that Jesus said He was both the Resurrection and the Life. Resurrection life doesn’t begin after we die, but the moment we believe in Jesus; resurrection isn’t only about being raised from the dead (Eph. 2:1--5).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
“I pray . . . that you may know . . . his incomparably great power for us who believe” (Eph. 1:18–19).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 14:1-14
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
The story is told of a missionary who had become lost in a dense jungle. The man was overjoyed to meet up finally with a local, who graciously agreed to escort him home. To the missionary’s surprise, the local immediately headed straight into the bush. After a few hours of hacking through dense forest, the missionary finally asked, “Are you sure you know where you’re going? I don’t see any path.” To this, the local replied, “Sir, in this place there is no path. I am the path.”

In today’s passage, we find Jesus preparing His disciples for His impending departure from the world. To encourage their hearts, Jesus told His disciples about the place in the Father’s house already prepared for them (v. 2). After years of teaching about the Father, Jesus simply told His disciples that they knew the way to the place He was going (v. 4).

But Thomas liked to have things clearly spelled out (John 20:25) and wanted to be sure. So Jesus responded with utter clarity--the way to the Father is only through the Son. What’s more, those who have seen Jesus have actually seen the Father (v. 9). Clearly the disciples had a hard time grasping this remarkable truth (vv. 8–9).

Not only is Jesus the Way to the Father, but He is also the Truth. Truth in the Bible is more than just knowing the facts; it is the ethical quality of God that makes Him trustworthy (Ps. 31:5). Thus Jesus embodies the reliable, faithful, and trustworthy character of the Father in whom there is no falsehood or evil.

Jesus is also the Life. Not surprisingly, these three--the Way, the Truth, and the Life--are all woven together. In John 8:31--32 we read: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Because Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, He has opened the way for us to enter confidently before the throne (Heb. 10:19–22).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If someone were to ask you how to get to the Father, would you know how to share the way through His Son Jesus Christ in a concise and clear presentation?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 15:1-8
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. - John 15:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
One of the many delightful characters in C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narniais Bacchus. Wherever Bacchus steps, vines spontaneously sprout up, so overflowing is his love for life and so bounteous is his gift.

Art and literature often use vine imagery to portray life and prosperity. Because vineyards were so important, much time was devoted to their care in the ancient world (and still is today). Each spring, vines were pruned (v. 2) to enhance growth. In the fall, the harvest required many laborers. When a vineyard became unproductive, it was abandoned and its vines were often burned.

With this imagery in mind, Jesus said, “I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener” (v. 1). To understand the true vine, we need to go to the Old Testament where the nation of Israel was often referred to as a choice vine (Ps. 80:8–14). Although the Lord cared for this vineyard, taking it from Egypt and planting it in a choice land, it only produced wild grapes (a reference to foreign gods) and was not a faithful vine.

But Jesus is the True Vine that produces the fruit intended by the Father. Jeremiah prophesied about this “righteous branch” (Jer. 23:5–6).

With this in mind, what does this passage tell us about our relationship with the Vine? First, pruning is essential for growth (John 15:2). The writer of Hebrews also used agricultural language to express this truth: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace” (Heb. 12:11).

Second, we must remain in the Vine to be fruitful (John 15:4–5). Jesus could not have stated this more clearly: “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (v. 5). All of us try to do things in our own strength at some time--how humbling to realize that all of this effort bears no fruit at all!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Have you ever trimmed a plant and thrown the trimmings away? Later, you weren’t surprised to see that the cuttings were all shriveled.

It’s easy to get spiritually shriveled when we don’t feed off of Christ. Time with Him is not some duty we perform to please Him, it’s essential to our existence. Perhaps today would be a good time to consider your prayer life or time in the Word. Do you cling to that time as a vine would to its branch? Ask the Holy Spirit to reawaken your hunger to be with the Vine.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 1:29-34; Revelation 5:1-14
Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! - John 1:29
TODAY IN THE WORD
Can you imagine living in a crowded Jewish neighborhood in ancient Egypt during the time of Moses? Your family has worked as slaves and lived with horrible oppression. God has heard your people’s cries and raised up a deliverer--Moses--but this deliverer keeps bringing unbearable plagues upon the land. Now, tonight in fact, you’ve been told that each household is to sacrifice a year-old male lamb, with no defects (Ex. 12:3–5). Then you are to spread some of the sacrificed lamb’s blood on the doorframe (v. 7), so that no harm will come to your family when Egypt’s firstborn are struck down (v. 13)!

In the time of Jesus, Jews were familiar with this story, hearing it every Passover. In fact, when John saw Jesus and cried out, “Look, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:29), he may have had this incident in mind. Or, perhaps, he may have thought of Isaiah 53 (see December 9). Notice how John added, “who takes away the sin of the world.” It’s clear from Isaiah 53:6–7, that the Servant would offer His life, taking on Himself the “iniquity of us all” (v. 6).

John the Baptist recognized in Jesus the One whom God had sent finally to deliver the world from the bondage of sin and evil. When John saw the Holy Spirit come upon Jesus at His baptism (v. 32), John knew that this was indeed the Son of God (v. 34).

Paul also recognized that Jesus was the true Passover lamb (1 Cor. 5:7). Additionally, Paul may have thought of the burnt offering, outlined in Leviticus 1:3–17, which was to be offered daily for general atonement of sin.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
A picture is worth a thousand words. Today we conclude our examination of metaphors (word pictures) that describe our Lord’s incarnation. Why not review these amazing metaphors and select one that has particularly ministered to you. Use your imagination to draw a picture or make a collage of this metaphor. This would be a great project to do with children, either your own or the children’s ministry of your church. These images help us envision our Lord and prepare us for our next series--exalted names of Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 4:39-42; Titus 2:11-14
Our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us. - Titus 2:13-14
TODAY IN THE WORD
Anyone walking in the streets of Rome at the time of Jesus’ birth would have certainly known who the savior of the world was--Caesar Augustus, of course! Huge stone monuments with finely-carved letters ascribed this lofty title to the Roman Emperor. Yet, humble hearts in a poor corner of an oppressed and occupied country knew better, and looked expectantly at a tiny baby born in a feeding trough for cattle.

Unprecedented events surrounded the birth of this Child. For one thing, when His cousin was born, Zechariah, His uncle, had prophesied that He would “give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins” (Luke 1:76). Then, when He was presented in the Temple, as was the custom, the old man Simeon had seen Him and praised God, saying, “My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation” (Luke 2:30–32).

As we learned earlier (see December 2), there was a general sense of expectation during this time that God would send the Messiah, who would save His people. And although the situation in Palestine was bad, this political oppression pales in comparison to bondage to sin and evil. So God sent a Savior to set human hearts free from chains that could not be seen.

This type of salvation was not what people expected, but it was certainly what they needed. Consider the woman at the well. We can only imagine the type of bondage to sin in which she was trapped (John 4:17). Yet as Jesus helped her to see her need for spiritual salvation (vv. 23–24), she came to realize that He was indeed the Messiah (v. 25). Her testimony impacted her entire village (v. 39), who urged Jesus to stay with them for a few days (v. 40). As He taught them, they, too, came to realize that He was “the Savior of the world” (v. 42).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, saved us from sin so that we could have fullness of life in Him (John 10:10).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Peter 2:23-25
For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. - 1 Peter 2:25
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the fifth century, a sixteen-year-old Briton was captured and sold as a slave in barbarous Ireland. Six years later, he managed to escape. But a dream revealed to Patrick that God had plans for him in Ireland. “Holy boy, we are asking you to come home and walk among us again,” cried the dream. And so he returned, spending the rest of his life evangelizing and overseeing souls in Ireland.

The early church called overseers such as Patrick bishops, from the Greek word episkopoi. Although this Greek word was originally used for city magistrates, the early church used it with the biblical concept of loving care and diligent oversight--a concept rooted in God Himself. For example, in the book of Ruth, Naomi heard “that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them” (Ruth 1:6). Deuteronomy 11:12 says that “the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on [the land].”

How wonderfully Peter summed up this tender care of the Lord when he called Jesus the Overseer, or Guardian, of our souls! He is the One who has come to the aid of His people, whose eyes are continually upon us, and who cares for us. It’s easy to see why Peter linked this title with shepherd--based on what we learned earlier (see December 12), the roles of shepherd and overseer are closely linked.

As the early church grew, this same title of bishop, or overseer, was applied to those who had been entrusted with spiritual responsibility in the body of Christ. Paul addressed his letter to the Philippians to the believers, together with the “overseers” in Philippi (Phil. 1:1).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Hebrews 13:7 commands, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.”

[Soldier4Christ]

 Read: Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:23–28
Therefore, since we have a great high priest . . . let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. - Hebrews 4:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1989 a group of Romanian students embarked on a risky trip, smuggling Bibles into neighboring Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union. Being caught with Christian literature in either country could have put them in jail. Yet somehow they made it through border crossings, past local police, into designated apartment buildings, and back home without one encounter with security forces. Only later they learned that a Christian, Vasili, had spent three entire days in intercessory prayer on their behalf.

It is always encouraging for us to learn that others have been praying for us. How much more encouraging is it to realize the Lord Jesus Himself is praying for us! Indeed, Jesus as our Great High Priest “always lives to intercede for [us]” (Heb. 7:25).

A key Old Testament figure was the high priest, chosen from the tribe of Levi. The high priest oversaw the duties of priests (2 Chron. 19:11) and served as mediator between God and the people. On the annual Day of Atonement, the High Priest--alone--was able to enter the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle, where he sacrificed for his own sins and for those of all the people (Ex. 30:10).

In Hebrews, we see how Jesus is superior to all that has gone before Him, including the Old Testament high priest. In Hebrews 4:14, Jesus is called the Great High Priest, the One who has gone before us through the heavens. Although Jesus is vastly superior to any human high priest, He is still able to understand our human weakness, because He is fully human and fully divine--yet He is without sin (v. 15).

Hebrews 7:27 shows that whereas a human high priest had to make atonement for his own sin, Jesus had no sin of His own to atone for. Moreover, Jesus “sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself” (v. 27). Finally, whereas the high priest had to be replaced each time one died, “because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood” (v. 24).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Since Jesus always lives to intercede for us, we also have the privilege of praying for others.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 2:10; 12:1-3
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. - Hebrews 12:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
At age twenty-two, James Fraser left a bright future in England to serve God overseas. In 1908 God led him to the Lisu people in the remote foothills of southwest China. Facing spiritual oppression and physical hardship, Fraser persevered in bringing the gospel to these people. Years later, thousands praise God for Fraser’s pioneering efforts in evangelism and disciplemaking.

People like James Fraser clearly follow the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ whom Scripture calls “the author and perfecter of our faith.” Although we often think of authors in terms of books, the word also refers to an originator or creator of something. That’s why some translations use “pioneer,” “forerunner,” or “captain” to translate this same Greek word.

Not only is Jesus the source of our faith, He is also the endpoint. Notice the context for Hebrews 12. The writer used the image of an athlete running in a stadium with cheering spectators all around (v. 1). This imagery is easy to grasp if we just think back to the recent summer Olympics in Sydney!

The passage then talks about “the race marked out for us” (v. 1). What is this racecourse? It’s the way of the cross, which Jesus, “for the joy set before him endured” (v. 2). Because of His willing sacrifice, He was exalted and sits at “the right hand of the throne of God” (v. 2). This is how Jesus is also the Perfecter of our faith. Perfection in the Bible often means completion, so this is another way of saying that Jesus is the Finisher or Completer of our faith. The Jerusalem Bible translation captures these two ideas quite well: “fixing our eyes on Jesus, on whom faith depends from start to finish.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It’s always inspiring to read biographies of Christian missionaries who have pioneered the way to salvation for so many others.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Colossians 1:15-23; 2:18-19
He is the head of the body, the church. - Colossians 1:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
After several previous attempts around the world, Norman E. Shumway performed the first successful heart transplant in California in 1958. Following this remarkable achievement were kidney and lung transplants. Just last year, successful hand transplants were performed in France and the United States.

But in all of medical history, there has never been a recorded head transplant! That’s because a body severed from its head cannot survive. The plain fact that a body and a head must be connected helps us to envision our Lord Jesus as the Head of His Body, which is the church.

As its Head, Christ is the source of the church. This seems to be the idea behind Ephesians 1:22–23: “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

At the same time, Christ is the summing up of the body, as Ephesians 4:15–16 indicates. “Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” This is the idea behind the analogy of the human body and spiritual gifts in the body of Christ developed in 1 Corinthians 12.

Since Christ is the Head of every member in His Body,to lose connection with Him is to open oneself up to all sorts of false teaching.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Christ is the Head of His church when our eyes focus on human leaders.

Is your church facing a time of crisis or potential division? Or do you know another congregation facing such difficulties? Take some time to meditate on what it means that Christ is the Head of His church. Pray that the leaders

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 19:11-16
On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. - Revelation 19:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
For centuries audiences have loved George Frideric Handel’s oratorio, Messiah, which was composed in just twenty-four days. Music historians say that the rather worldly Handel claimed the leading of the Holy Spirit and often wept as he composed the piece. It is well-known that the music mirrors the Scripture verses it accompanies. Consider the famous Hallelujah chorus: “Lord of Lords” is sung with sure, steady beats; the entire chorus blends stately majesty and joyous exaltation.

What a fitting way to begin looking at this lofty title of Jesus: the Lord of Lords. As we have seen, the entire Old Testament pointed to the coming of God’s Messiah. But as we have also seen, Jesus’ death on the cross seemed to prove that the Man from Nazareth could not have been the Messiah after all. Even the disciples were downcast, fearful that all their hopes had been in vain (Luke 24:17). But Jesus’ resurrection from the dead declared to the world that He indeed was--and is!--the Lord, the Almighty One.

So important was it to acknowledge that Jesus of Galilee was the Lord God that the first creed of the church was simply, “Jesus is Lord” (Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 12:3).

One of the highest affirmations of Jesus’ lordship is found in Philippians 2:9–11. We have already looked at this passage (see December 9) when we considered Jesus’ willingness to take on the nature of a servant. Today’s passage shows the Father’s response to that obedience--complete vindication and exaltation.

Not only is Jesus the exalted Lord, but He is Lord of Lords. We don’t often think of other lords, but in the Greco-Roman world of the first century, there was a terrifying array of gods and goddesses. Even the Caesar took on the title dominus, or lord, and demanded allegiance. In our own day, people who attain athletic prowess or business success vie for the status of lordship in our culture.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Year after year Messiah remains one of the Christmas season’s most popular pieces of music.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 24:7-10; Zechariah 14:6-9
Lift up your heads . . . that the King of glory may come in. - Psalm 24:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
It’s only because Philip of Macedon had a son named Alexander that people aren’t more familiar with his own accomplishments. But then Philip only conquered Greece--Alexander conquered the known world! Picking up where his father left off, Alexander conquered Persia, Syria, Egypt, and Babylonia. Apparently Alexander impressed even himself . . . he was the first Greek to have his image superimposed over that of the god Hercules on coins minted in his honor!

Around three hundred years later another ruler, Caesar Augustus, eclipsed even Alexander. Remember that Augustus hailed himself as the “savior of the world” (see December 17). As you read through the narratives of Jesus’ birth (Matt. 1:18– 2:12; Luke 2:1–20), don’t miss the irony that, while the ruler of the Roman Empire sat in fleeting glory in the splendor of Rome, the ruler “over the whole earth” (Zech. 14:9) was born in eternal glory in the humility of a manger.

Zechariah’s prophecy of the Lord’s return stresses the absolute uniqueness of this day--normal daylight and weather will be suspended (v. 6) and “living waters will flow out from Jerusalem” (v. . It’s not surprising that such phenomenal events should accompany the reign of the “king over the whole earth” (v. 9). The psalmist gives further description of the King of Glory: “the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle” (Ps. 24:. Both these passages speak of the absolute sovereignty of the King of Glory!

Yet as we have seen throughout this month, the marvel is that this very King of Kings was willing to become incarnate and to pay the awful price for our sins. He was willing to endure such abuse and scorn for sinners like us.

Ironically, however, even those who mocked Jesus at His death couldn’t help calling Him a King. When Pilate had Jesus crucified, he placed the written charge against Jesus above His head. It read: “This is the King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38). The truth about Jesus, the King of Glory, could not be denied.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It’s often easier to sing that Jesus is “King of Kings” than to act accordingly.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 3:1-24; Galatians 4:4
I will put enmity . . . between [the serpent’s] offspring and hers; he will crush [the serpent’s] head. - Genesis 3:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
Crisis Pregnancy Centers are wonderful testimonies to God’s redemptive nature. “Janie” was convinced that she had made the biggest mistake of her life--a mistake for which abortion was the only answer. But God had other plans and directed her to a local Crisis Pregnancy Center. As Janie realized God’s miracle of life within her, she also learned about couples, unable to have their own children, who would be thrilled to adopt her child.

She decided to carry her baby and give the child up for adoption. During this process, Janie also came to know the Savior’s love for her and was “adopted” into His family.

Only a truly redemptive God can bring forth life--both physical and spiritual--from devastating circumstances. Since the time of humanity’s fall in the Garden, that’s exactly what our God has been doing, as today’s passages clearly show.

Genesis 3 records humanity’s darkest moment, the fateful decision to willfully disobey God that alienated creature from Creator (vv. 9–10). After the rich-ness and freedom of Paradise, the first couple experienced the hardship and bondage of sin.

But in the midst of the horrific consequences of their action, God’s promise for redemption shines forth hope (v. 15). One Bible scholar put it this way: “But where sin abounds, grace superabounds, and so it is that at the moment when Satan seems to score a triumph, it is declared that the seed of the woman will crush and destroy Satan.”

The entire Old Testament could be summarized as God’s faithful protection and care of His Promised Seed. Many narratives reveal the divine intervention that enabled barren women to conceive and protected the line of David . . . and the promise to establish the throne of David’s seed forever (2 Sam. 7:12).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Knowing that God brought about His redemptive purposes from the Fall, we can be confident that He can work His redemption in our lives.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 7:10-14; Matthew 1:23; 28:19-20
The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. - Isaiah 7:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
Charles Swindoll once said that if Dan Rather had given a news broadcast in 1809, it would have focused on Napoleon’s sweep across Europe with no mention of the many remarkable babies born that year, all of whom would become quite famous. For example, the outstanding British political leader William Gladstone, the American writer Edgar Allan Poe, and President Abraham Lincoln were all born in 1809.

Similarly, no Roman newsperson was likely to have picked up from the news wires the story of a baby born to poor parents in a remote region of a troubled country. But heavenly “reporters” picked up this event and “broadcast” it to all who would hear (Luke 2:14). These glorious messengers knew that the most newsworthy event in the history of the world had occurred--the Savior had been born! All of history points to and centers around this one event.

Recall that Isaiah also lived in a troubled country. As the nation of Judah faced what seemed to be its destruction (Isa. 7:1–2), God used Isaiah to give a sign of His faithfulness to Judah: a virgin would give birth to a son who would be named Immanuel, which literally means “God with us.” Scholars are not quite sure of the exact nature of this prophecy’s fulfillment in Isaiah’s time, but there can be little doubt of its later fulfillment in Jesus.

In fact, Matthew cited this verse as he wrote, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the birth narrative of Jesus (Matt. 1:23). The virginal conception of Jesus remains a unique event in all of history. This conception enabled Jesus to be both “Son of God” and “Son of Man”--titles we will look at beginning tomorrow.

Notice how concisely the two names given to our Lord at His birth summarize His unique nature: Jesus means “God is salvation,” showing His deity, and Immanuel means “God is with us,” showing His humanity.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Christmas carols contain some of the most beautiful praises of our Savior’s birth.