Advent Devotional 2021
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One day as Jesus was teaching the people and preaching the Good News in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. Luke 20:1 (NLT)
We often think of Christmas as a time for family to come together. Often we will have a “Norman Rockwell” type image of Christmas, a large family all gathered together around a table, laughing and loving one another. Unfortunately it is not always so.
My father had two brothers . . . and they did not get along. My aunt, wanting the family to be close would often host a Christmas party. Her heart was in the right place but her wishes were never realized. My father and his brothers would all gather together in the same room but rarely spoke to each other.
Something similar happened to Jesus. The Jewish leadership; the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes weren’t “brothers” of Jesus but they really did not like him.
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, these “leaders” tried to undermine Jesus, they tried to discredit him, lead people away from him. They often came to Jesus with questions that were meant to make him look bad. We see such questions in Luke 20:20-40.
In the first question (Luke 20:20-26), they asked Jesus about paying taxes to Rome. If Jesus said that one should pay taxes . . . then they could say he sided with Rome against his own people. And if Jesus said that one should not pay taxes . . . then they could run to the Romans and tell them that Jesus was disobeying Caesar and teaching others to do so also. It looked like the perfect trap.
Jesus’ response was perfect. We are to give to Caesar (the government) that which rightfully belongs to them (taxes). We are to give to employers that which rightfully belongs to our employers (show up on time, look professional, and do the best job we can). And we are to give to God what rightfully belongs to him (our full measure of devotion).
Sadly my father and his brothers never really reconciled. They would gather together when my aunt insisted but . . . after her passing the only time they would be in the same room was when they were attending one another’s funeral.
Similarly, Jesus and the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes never seemed to reconcile.
I hope we can be reconciled with one another. What a great Christmas gift that would be.
My father had two brothers . . . and they did not get along. My aunt, wanting the family to be close would often host a Christmas party. Her heart was in the right place but her wishes were never realized. My father and his brothers would all gather together in the same room but rarely spoke to each other.
Something similar happened to Jesus. The Jewish leadership; the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes weren’t “brothers” of Jesus but they really did not like him.
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, these “leaders” tried to undermine Jesus, they tried to discredit him, lead people away from him. They often came to Jesus with questions that were meant to make him look bad. We see such questions in Luke 20:20-40.
In the first question (Luke 20:20-26), they asked Jesus about paying taxes to Rome. If Jesus said that one should pay taxes . . . then they could say he sided with Rome against his own people. And if Jesus said that one should not pay taxes . . . then they could run to the Romans and tell them that Jesus was disobeying Caesar and teaching others to do so also. It looked like the perfect trap.
Jesus’ response was perfect. We are to give to Caesar (the government) that which rightfully belongs to them (taxes). We are to give to employers that which rightfully belongs to our employers (show up on time, look professional, and do the best job we can). And we are to give to God what rightfully belongs to him (our full measure of devotion).
Sadly my father and his brothers never really reconciled. They would gather together when my aunt insisted but . . . after her passing the only time they would be in the same room was when they were attending one another’s funeral.
Similarly, Jesus and the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes never seemed to reconcile.
I hope we can be reconciled with one another. What a great Christmas gift that would be.
Prayer focus: For healing & reconciliation in family relationships
Community prayer focus: Mental Health workers in our community, prayer for wisdom & guidance as they serve those hurting
Community prayer focus: Mental Health workers in our community, prayer for wisdom & guidance as they serve those hurting
Hymn: O Holy Night
O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night O holy night
O night divine
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here came the wise men from Orient land
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our Friend
He knows our need
To our weakness is no stranger
Behold your King
Before Him lowly bend
Behold your King
Before Him lowly bend
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord
O praise His name forever
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim
Adolphe Charles Adam | John Sullivan Dwight | Placide Cappeau
O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night O holy night
O night divine
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here came the wise men from Orient land
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our Friend
He knows our need
To our weakness is no stranger
Behold your King
Before Him lowly bend
Behold your King
Before Him lowly bend
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord
O praise His name forever
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim
Adolphe Charles Adam | John Sullivan Dwight | Placide Cappeau
- © Words: Public Domain
- Music: Public Domain
