December 23, 2022 -- Proverbs 23:12-16 & Luke 23:1-5, 39-43 -- Journey to Christmas through Proverbs and Luke ~ Seeing Jesus as He Is

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Apply your heart to instruction
    and your ear to words of knowledge.
13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;
    if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
14 If you strike him with the rod,
    you will save his soul from Sheol.
15 My son, if your heart is wise,
    my heart too will be glad.
16 My inmost being will exult
    when your lips speak what is right.
Proverbs 23:12-16 ESV

Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:1-5, 39-43 ESV

Dear readers, the journey to Christmas through reading one chapter of Proverbs and one chapter of Luke each day is nearly completed. Today’s reading might seem jarring to you. Christmas is two days away, and the reading from Luke speaks to Jesus’ trial. The very leaders of Israel who should have been wise and recognized Him, hosted a sham trial to put Him to death. Jesus suffered. Willingly was humiliated as He submitted Himself to being confirmed as the Perfect Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. Finally today we read of His crucifixion and death. To fully understand and grow in wisdom one must see the Incarnation of Jesus, His birth at Bethlehem, and recognize He willingly came to earth to die. 

The eyes of faith see Him now as the Lion of Judah enthroned in heaven, preparing for the moment when the Father will say, the time has come, My Beloved Son, bring in the harvest. Those made wise by the instruction of the Spirit, who therefore love You and have Your righteousness. These are the people having been marked by My Covenant-Love-and Kindness will inherit the fullness of eternal life.

The reading from Proverbs is strong. People must be disciplined in this way: Fathers and mothers must instill in their children the most important truth ever, Jesus is the sacrifice-Savior. People must subdue their own waywardness and sinful inclinations which wage war against the God of Mercy and Truth. Follow Him at all costs. Parents, do not “give your children a choice”, teach them the way of Jesus Christ. Make sure they know Him as King. Stubborn and rebellious hearts, repent. Name Jesus as LORD and throw down every vile thought or idolatrous inclination which would refuse Him. Pray that during this Christmas time You will see Jesus as Scripture portrays Him and bow before Him in worship and adoration.

Father in heaven, at this Christmas time, may Your Name be honoured and glorified. Spirit of the Living God, at Christmas concerts and special chapel services stir up the hearts of people so that as Jesus Christ is lifted up many will be drawn to Him in repentance and faith. Triune God, we confess how readily our faith is routine and something we claim, but do not practice in every area of our life. Father in heaven, fill us with the deep awareness of Your Loving-Kindness. Renew in us all the righteousness of Christ. Fill us, Spirit of God, with a renewed zeal to get wisdom and seek understanding, so that all those around us will see Jesus Christ in our words and actions. Amen.

https://youtu.be/sTg4BhoKevE

Doxology Vocal Ensemble “O Come Let Us Adore Him”

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