God gave Israel feasts to set the rhythm of their year—times for gathering, resting, celebrating , and remembering that He rescued and provided for them. These feasts were shadows pointing us to Jesus: our perfect Passover lamb who saves, our First-fruits who guarantees more to come, and our final Harvest who fully satisfies every longing.

In Exodus 22, God reveals His fierce wrath and His tender compassion. He judges evil, defends the vulnerable, and promises to hear their cries. In Jesus, we see these perfectly come together at the cross—God’s wrath poured out against sin and mercy extended to sinners.

From Exodus 21, God builds on the Ten Commandments with real-life laws that protect the vulnerable, showing His heart to value life, responsibility, and justice for slaves, children, women, and the injured.

n Luke 15, we see God’s heart for the one—the lost, the wandering, and even the self-righteous. Jesus loves us, pursues us, and rejoices when we return, and through the Holy Spirit calls us to love and pursue the individual people He places right in front of us.

Every commandment reveals our sin and our need for God’s grace, and then points us straight to the awe and glory of Jesus, our Savior, who fulfills them all. As our Mediator, He changes our hearts from the inside out, took the curse for us through His atoning blood, and invites us to draw near to God without fear. Exalt Him!

Jesus exposes the idols of our hearts that lead us to covet, want, and compare. As we grow rich toward God, our grip on what others have loosens, and true freedom and contentment are found in Him.

“Seek me!” God invites us to draw nearer to Him this year. Recount the wonderful works of the Lord over the pas year; rejoice, give thanks, and sing praises.

Luke’s passage gives us certainty that Jesus is exactly who God promised—He fulfills the Law perfectly, is revealed by the Holy Spirit, and is confirmed by trustworthy witnesses like Simeon and Anna. Their Spirit-led testimony declares that this child is salvation for all people, not just Israel.

Good news! God replaces our great fear with occasion for great joy: He saves us, keeps us from stumbling, and welcomes us into His joyful, eternal presence.

Our tongue is a fire that can harm many; we even bear false witness about ourselves. But God never lies about anything, anyone, or Himself. Therefore we can hope in His words.