The Everyday Gospel Christmas Devotional預覽

The entire biblical story marches toward the coming of the Son of Man.

If you were to introduce Jesus to someone who had never heard of him before, what would you say? If you had to summarize who he is and what he has done, what would you write? When you preach the gospel to yourself—and you should—what do you say to yourself about the Jesus who is at the center of that gospel? The central character and eternal hope of the biblical narrative is Jesus. All of the promises of God balance on his shoulders. Everything that we need is supplied in and through him. He is the hope of the Old Testament and the conquering hero of the New Testament. By grace our little stories are embedded in his great victorious narrative. The Bible is the biography of Jesus. It is the revelation of his character, power, wisdom, holiness, and redeeming work. At the center of all the promises of God is the promised Son.

Daniel 7–12 records the apocalyptic visions of Daniel. These visions are meant to assure the people of God at that time, as well as us, that despite persecution and hardship, God still reigns. His plan still marches on, and his promises are still trustworthy. At the beginning of Daniel’s visions is a vision of the reign of Jesus:

"There came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." (Dan. 7:13–14)

This amazing scene should make your heart pump, your jaw drop, and your mind fill with awe and wonder. God sits on his holy and royal throne as the sole ruler of the universe he created. The one like a son of man is presented to him. This description of Jesus is a reminder to us that he is fully God and fully man. After Jesus is presented to the Father, God grants him everlasting dominion over all humanity and a kingdom that will never be destroyed. This is a gloriously encouraging and hope-infusing description of the one in whom you have placed your hope.

It is important that we think of Jesus not only as the sacrificial Lamb but also as the risen, ascended, and reigning King. What happens after the resurrection is very important. Jesus ascends on a cloud to be seated at the right hand of the Father to reign forever and ever (Acts 1:9). His reign is not a future promise but a present reality. We have hope right here, right now because his reign guarantees that he has the power and authority to deliver to us everything that his work on earth purchased for us. His present reign guarantees that he will someday usher in the final kingdom, where we will be blessed with uninterrupted peace and righteousness forever.

Today, celebrate the reign of your Savior and go out and live with courage and hope.

Prayer:

Ancient of Days, you are great and glorious. All power and authority belong to you. And yet you have given your kingdom to your Son, one like a son of man, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. I praise you for including me in that kingdom, that I might forever praise the one who lives and reigns even now. I pray in the name of this great King, Jesus, amen.