What’s in a name? There was a promise that this child would carry a title that would be different than every other name out there. This name is a strong and powerful name. It’s a name that spoke to our past, present and our future. Listen as Pastor Derrick shares how this name truly is above all names!
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Since then we have a great high priest
who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast our confession.
Hebrews 4:14
In Judaic religious practice, the priest was the one who would make intercession for the people by performing the sacrifices of the offerings people brought to atone for their sins, acting as intercessor between the sinful person and Holy God. Once a year, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies, where he performed an atoning sacrifice for the sins of Israel, again in that intercessory capacity. Adding “Great” to that title in reference to our Great High Priest indicates the all-encompassing nature of what He has done on our behalf. Not only has He interceded for us, but He did it with His own body, broken, and His own blood, outpoured. His sacrifice and His acting as Great High Priest, has bridged the chasm between sinful humans and Holy God. Celebrate this season knowing your sins are covered!
Devotion contributed by Heidi Goehman & Sarah Baughman.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
Psalm 118:22
Jesus as Chief Cornerstone certainly gives us a solid mental image of the Truth that He alone is our firm foundation. He holds up the buildings that are our lives, our families, our purpose, our worth, and our souls. However, this passage reminds us that this Cornerstone, this Foundation was rejected by men, deemed not good enough, not worthwhile. We know differently, and when the world rejects Him, we stand in the knowledge that He does not reject us. We run to Him in His Word for sure footing, solid grounding on which to build in this world. Take a moment today to hold a stone in your hand and remember His faithfulness in the midst of this world full of rejection.
Devotion contributed by Heidi Goehman & Sarah Baughman.
[Andrew] first found his own brother Simon and said to him,
“We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).
John 1:41
John 1 manages to pack many names of Jesus into one small segment of Scripture – Word, Prophet, Son of God, Lamb of God, King of Israel, Son of Man – but maybe none were as meaningful to the 12 Jewish disciples gathered around Jesus as today’s title…Messiah, that is Christ. This beautiful title comes from the Hebrew mashiach meaning Anointed One. The disciples in the New Testament would have heard about this Anointed One, promised from the Father, from the lips of their parents, grandparents, and elders. The promise of this One sent by God Himself was passed down from generation to generation. The people of Israel had waited centuries for this Messiah. So you can see that this was a massive proclamation for Andrew to make to his brother –
We have found the Messiah!
Can you hear his excitement?
He’s Here!
We get to proclaim the same this today – He’s here!
He has found us. He is here.
Devotion contributed by Heidi Goehman & Sarah Baughman.
Have you ever thought about what the first Christmas was like? So many different people were involved in the story, and each bring a new perspective. Today I would like to focus on Christmas from Mary’s perspective. What was it like to have been chosen by God? Mary must have been filled with hundreds of emotions ranging from joy to fear. This weeks Music Monday represents what I imagine Mary was feeling that first Christmas. Continue reading
It’s kind of a weird thing to think of bread as a name, but this name is such a powerful name. What does it mean though that Jesus is bread? How can bread bring such life? Why did He choose bread? Listen this week as Pastor Derrick shares the amazing truth of why it’s so important Jesus is the Bread of Life.
They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them,
for he is Lord of lords and King of kings,
and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
Revelation 17:14
For those of us living in the United States or other countries without a king, some of the significance of this Name is lost on us. But the King of kings is a ruler who is over all others. There is no one who can overthrow Him. He will always emerge victorious, for the battle, and indeed the war, has already been won. When the devil, the world, and even our own sinfulness seems to press so strongly that we can’t continue to stand, we cling to the promise that He is with us, that He is victorious — and because His victory is on our behalf, we are victorious, too! When He was born a helpless baby, He set aside that royal title for our good, and after He rose victorious from the grave and ascended into heaven, He took it up again, never to set it aside. He is our King, and graciously and lovingly provides for every need.
Contributed by Heidi Goehman and Sarah Baughman.
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
John 8:58
As soon as the Jews heard Jesus’ reply, they knew He wasn’t playing around. He’d equated Himself with God, and rightly so…but their frame of reference couldn’t allow for a wandering Prophet who had nothing to recommend Him as a king, let alone God Himself. As we add decorations to make our houses look different, brighter during this time of year than they do any other time, and as we wrap gifts with bright, colorful paper, let’s remember that God, too, wrapped Himself in our human frailty and mortality, that He might earn our salvation, because of His great and unfailing love for us. He is the Greatest, the Brightest – the I AM.
Contributed by Heidi Goehman and Sarah Baughman.
What is it about the name son that is so important? Could the name son mean more than just son of a father? This week we look around the bible to find why the title son is so important for Jesus at Christmas. You are sons and daughters of God because of His Son given for you.
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse!
The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True,
and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
Revelation 19:11
You and I have not seen Jesus in person. We have the great benefit of the Spirit living and working in us until we see our Savior face to face. Today’s verse gives us a glimpse of when we will see Him riding in on that day when the devil will be completely stomped underfoot. The Titles Faithful and True connect to Christ’s judgement in righteousness. Jesus came as a baby boy in a manger, as Truth itself, because rightness matters. When life seems like evil is winning, we can lean on Faithful and True. Christ makes right our hearts and our lives in His death and resurrection. Evil and sorrow may last for the night, but just as the Bethlehem star appeared, Joy does come in the morning. It is promised to us in Christ Jesus. Be not dismayed, Faithfulness and Truth is at work!
Contributed by Heidi Goehman and Sarah Baughman.
