Advent: Monday, December 3, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

Amos 2:6-16

We see that one of the things that the Lord condemns the people for in this passage is that not only did they do wrong, but they led others to do wrong. One of the things that we must always know is our power and influence. There are always folks watching us. Seeing how we live, seeing what we do.

That sometimes puts undo pressure us on us, doesn't it? It makes us feel like we can't make any mistakes, or else. That is not what that means. Living the Christian life means that sometimes we make mistakes. And, what do we do when we do that? We say, I'm sorry. We say, I made a mistakes. We ask forgiveness.

The Christian life is not about false perfection. It is about real life, trying to be obedient to Christ, and we we fall, get up and keep going. Let us always ask forgiveness, and offer forgiveness. For, as we have been forgiven, we are to forgive each other.

New Testament Lesson

2 Peter 1:1-11

Sometimes we get the feeling that we just can't do whatever it is that we are called to do, or that we feel led to do. We think that the mountain is to high, or the valley too wide that we can't jump across. Today, in this passage, we see that all these great things, power, and strength, all that we can ask for, are there for us in Christ Jesus.

If He has called you to something, you can do it! Through His power, there is no mountain too high! Today, you can! Believe it! He is with you. Rely upon His strength and power.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 21:1-11

The two events that bind our faith together are Christmas and Easter. On Christmas, our hope was born, on Easter, our hope suffered and died so that we could be reconciled to God. In this passage, we see Jesus enter into Jerusalem on the back of a humble donkey, entering what He knew would result in the cross.

One thing we see in the life of Jesus is humility. He was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. How did He enter into the world? A manger, something used for the feeding of animals. How did He enter into Jerusalem? Not a stallion, as a conquering king would do,but on the back of donkey.

Christ humbly did these things to show us that life is not in exalting ourselves or in seeking gain only for ourselves; life is found in living outside of ourselves. Living for Him, living for family, living for purpose. Today, may we see that true life comes from living in the hope of something greater than ourselves.