Devotions
The beginning of a new year is often filled with hope, promise and potential. We wish each other a joyous “Happy New Year!” because we really desire a happy future; a future different from all the complications and struggles of the past year. In reality, life does not turn on a dime. Life is life, and it is filled with moments of darkness and light.
When the Pharisees decide to test Jesus by asking him which was the greatest commandment. Jesus responds in verse 37 stating, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind…. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Our whole Christian testimony rests on these two commandments.
“Mary.” Jesus only had to utter her name once and Mary recognized who he was. Out of the depths of her despair, she turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” which means, teacher. That is all it took for Mary to believe her Lord was risen and standing before her. Has God been calling your name? John 10: 27 reminds us, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 7:14) to the house of David, becomes reality in the New Testament, when the angel of the Lord visit’s Mary, and tells her, “…You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him, Jesus…. (Luke 1:31).”
Talk about receiving impossible news! Mary’s response to this improbable news is that rhetorical question, “How will this be, since I am a virgin (Luke1:34)?” From where Mary was standing, the news that she would be the mother of the Savior of the world was incomprehensible. How could something so amazing, so unbelievable happen to her or through her? She was just a simple village girl, and a virgin at that. What the angel told her was quite incredulous.
It’s Christmas time, and the air is filled with excitement; the promise of the holidays, snow covered trees, time with family and friends, turkey dinners, eggnog, cookies, Christmas stockings hanging above the fireplace, yule logs burning brightly and Christmas gifts beginning to collect under the beautiful Christmas tree. Aaaaah, such anticipation!
Perhaps Jacob’s older sons didn’t understand why Jacob gave authority to his youngest son rather than them. Maybe, they were driven by their own insecurities after hearing about Joseph’s dreams and were trying to control the situation. Perhaps sheer frustration and sibling rivalry and jealousy drove them to attack their younger brother. Something unnatural was about to happen.
