Unprecedented Jesus

Unprecedented: “never done or known before”

As we approach Christmas, let us remember that when the angel came to Mary, and told her she would give birth to a son and she was a virgin, and the son she was carrying would save the world...this was unprecedented!

Luke 1:26-56

2020’s tag words aren’t new! 

Social distancing - The wise men took the long way out of town Matthew 2:12

Pandemic - Too many to count ... Look at the Israelites and their journey out of Egypt!

Social Unrest / discrimination - The Israelites and then everyone else 

Quarantine (Alone Together) - Mary and Joseph alone in the stable and Jesus lying in the manger Luke 2:16 

Trying Times - Mary and Joseph took a long journey (90 miles by donkey) while she was very pregnant Luke 2:1-5

Shortages - No room in the Inn 

Essential - Jesus being born Acts 4:12

Elections - King Herod was on the throne and didn’t want a new king in town Matthew 2:3

Census - This is what brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem Luke 2

Something that was never done before, was Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us was born with the sole purpose of dying for our sins.

“Here’s a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1:15 MSG‬‬

Something that was never known before, is His love for us! 

“So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” Romans‬ ‭8:31-39‬ ‭MSG‬‬

As we finish this unprecedented year, let us hold tight to our unprecedented Jesus! “For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭MSG‬‬

My prayer for you is that wherever this finds you today, that you would see and believe the hope that is in Jesus! He never fails! He is ...

Writing it in the Dirt

Everyone seems to have their own perspective on the COVID-19 situation. The Democrats and Republicans, the healthcare workers and systems, who is essential and who is not, to wear masks and gloves or not, the list goes on.

I too have really struggled in this season. I am an extrovert and I have been isolated due to illness in the past and I don’t like it!

The arguing, the name calling and out right hate speech from people is just disheartening. I know that strong opinions can come from fear, or anger when we don’t have control over what is going on.

Today, I was trying not to be irritated by the things I read online, I felt the Lord reminding me of this story.

There was a woman who had been caught in sin and the religious scholars and Pharisees led her over to Jesus.

“Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him. 

Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt.

They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” John‬ ‭8:3-11‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Time and time again the religious leaders tried to trap Jesus. He never engaged in arguments. He simply showed grace, mercy and salvation. In this situation, He wrote something in the dirt. 

WOW! What would our world look like if we showed grace, mercy and pointed others towards salvation? None of us have the answers and none of us are without sin. So, instead of posting all the things, write it down, give it to God!

In this season, let us remember we are not alone, and we need each other!

“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Psalms‬ ‭16:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬