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Advent | Day 23
DAY 23 | HOW OLD IS JESUS?
Scripture Reading: John 1:1-14
“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
— John 1: 1-14
Have you ever wondered how old Jesus was? It’s a trick question. To answer we have to start ‘in the beginning’ (vs.1-2). Long before Christmas trees, Santa Claus, elves, and mocha peppermint lattes, there was the birth of Jesus Christ, in a sleepy little town called Bethlehem. But, that was not the beginning for Jesus was it? No, we’ve got to go further back into ancient history. Way back, before the virgin birth, before the Christmas star, the shepherds, the wise men; before Moses, Abraham, Adam or Eve; even before the creation of the universe itself, there was Jesus, the Son of God eternally existing as the second person of the Trinity (John 8:58).
The first time I heard that, it blew my mind. I hope it blows yours too! I had no category this. I thought, “Christians believe that before Jesus was born was born of Mary, the divine person of Jesus, the Son of God, eternally existed?” It’s true! You see, when you and I were born, we were new people. But when Jesus was born, it was the long-awaited arrival of the eternally existent Word of God (Micah 5:2).
Not only did Jesus always exist, but, “All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.” (John 1:3) So what does all this mean for us this Christmas season? Two things: Comfort and awe!
First, allow yourself to be comforted, knowing that although you may not sense God in the midst of whatever difficulty or stress you are facing this season, Jesus, the eternally existent, resurrected, sovereign sustainer of all things, is there with you every step of the way (Col. 1:17). Trust in Jesus, and let the light of Christ shine into the darkest corners of your heart and life.
Second, allow your mind to be blown. Let your heart be moved to worship God. Our great Creator loves us so much. He entered His creation, taking on our humanity, to die on the cross for our sins. There is a glorious mystery about Jesus that is too grand to comprehend, but can beckon you and I to a worshipful sense of awe.
As we anticipate Christmas Day, take some time to remember that though we rightly celebrate Jesus’ coming to the world, he was there “in the beginning.” Stand before the glorious night sky of the Son of God’s eternal existence and worship Him with all that you are.
Reflection Questions:
1. If you have kids, see if any of them can answer the trick question, ‘How old is Jesus’? (How would you answer that?)
2. What struggle are you facing that is hindering your worship of God? How could being more awed by God overshadow the anxiety, stress or brokenness you are facing this week?
3. What are some practical ways you can humble yourself before God this advent season, in order to experience the comfort of Christ?
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DAY 23 | HOW OLD IS JESUS?
Scripture Reading: John 1:1-14
“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
— John 1: 1-14
Have you ever wondered how old Jesus was? It’s a trick question. To answer we have to start ‘in the beginning’ (vs.1-2). Long before Christmas trees, Santa Claus, elves, and mocha peppermint lattes, there was the birth of Jesus Christ, in a sleepy little town called Bethlehem. But, that was not the beginning for Jesus was it? No, we’ve got to go further back into ancient history. Way back, before the virgin birth, before the Christmas star, the shepherds, the wise men; before Moses, Abraham, Adam or Eve; even before the creation of the universe itself, there was Jesus, the Son of God eternally existing as the second person of the Trinity (John 8:58).
The first time I heard that, it blew my mind. I hope it blows yours too! I had no category this. I thought, “Christians believe that before Jesus was born was born of Mary, the divine person of Jesus, the Son of God, eternally existed?” It’s true! You see, when you and I were born, we were new people. But when Jesus was born, it was the long-awaited arrival of the eternally existent Word of God (Micah 5:2).
Not only did Jesus always exist, but, “All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.” (John 1:3) So what does all this mean for us this Christmas season? Two things: Comfort and awe!
First, allow yourself to be comforted, knowing that although you may not sense God in the midst of whatever difficulty or stress you are facing this season, Jesus, the eternally existent, resurrected, sovereign sustainer of all things, is there with you every step of the way (Col. 1:17). Trust in Jesus, and let the light of Christ shine into the darkest corners of your heart and life.
Second, allow your mind to be blown. Let your heart be moved to worship God. Our great Creator loves us so much. He entered His creation, taking on our humanity, to die on the cross for our sins. There is a glorious mystery about Jesus that is too grand to comprehend, but can beckon you and I to a worshipful sense of awe.
As we anticipate Christmas Day, take some time to remember that though we rightly celebrate Jesus’ coming to the world, he was there “in the beginning.” Stand before the glorious night sky of the Son of God’s eternal existence and worship Him with all that you are.
Reflection Questions:
1. If you have kids, see if any of them can answer the trick question, ‘How old is Jesus’? (How would you answer that?)
2. What struggle are you facing that is hindering your worship of God? How could being more awed by God overshadow the anxiety, stress or brokenness you are facing this week?
3. What are some practical ways you can humble yourself before God this advent season, in order to experience the comfort of Christ?