A Year with Jesus

Note from Jesus

Dear Disciple,

Over the last month, you have been reminded of My birth and how My coming changed everything. I came at God's chosen time. Political and spiritual darkness had a stranglehold on My people. Rome ruled the world they knew. The Jewish leaders had sold out to guard their power and to keep their money and positions. Spiritually, the leaders were generally more interested in form than substance.

So God entered the world of the "pious poor" of Israel - people who had little influence or money, but who depended upon Him - people who honored Him as they prayed for His intervention. Zacharias and Elizabeth are prime examples. Mary and Joseph came from the same line of faith.

The Father sent Me into this darkness and despair. I came with the accompaniment of a sky full of angels, a group of shepherds who saw and heard them, and magi from the East who came to celebrate My birth because they saw a bright star shining. Light came into darkness! A new beginning dawned for a world that was full of despair, whether the people realized it or not.

Never doubt that the Father can bring new life into the most hopeless circumstances. Trust that your God can bring fresh hope into moments of deepest despair. Know that faith in your Lord can bring new beginnings into seemingly unchangeable situations. That's what the Father did when He sent Me. So as you are early in your your New Year, invite Me into your life and trust that I can make all things fresh and new!

Verses to Live

Read again familiar words from the beginning of My story. As you do, listen to the freshness of the hope expressed and to the confidence that the Father is making things fresh and new. First, hear what Elizabeth said after learning that she was pregnant in her old age - pregnant with the baby who would become John the Baptist:

Elizabeth:
I have lived with the disgrace of being barren for all these years. Now God has looked on me with favor. When I go out in public with my baby, I will not be disgraced any longer.
(Luke 1:25)

Later, after Mary, My mother, learned from an angel that she would be My mother, she visited Elizabeth and Elizabeth's baby leapt in her womb when she heard My mother's voice. Elizabeth blessed My mother, and then she burst forth with what is commonly called Mary's Song. These verses are part of what she said:

Mary:
God's arm has accomplished mighty deeds.
The proud in mind and heart,
God has sent away in disarray.

The rulers from their high positions of power,
God has brought down low.

And those who were humble and lowly,
God has elevated with dignity.

The hungry - God has filled with fine food.
The rich - God has dismissed with nothing in their hands.
(Luke 1:51-53)

After Elizabeth gave birth and the baby was named John, his father praised God for new beginnings:

When Zacharias's voice was restored to him, he sang from the fullness of the Spirit a prophetic blessing.

Zacharias:
May the Lord God of Israel be blessed indeed!
For God's intervention has begun,
and He has moved to rescue us, the people of God.

And the Lord has raised up a powerful sign of liberation for us
from among the descendants of God's servant, King David.

As was prophesied through the mouths of His holy prophets in ancient times:
God will liberate us from our enemies
and from the hand of our oppressors!
God will show mercy promised to our ancestors,
upholding the abiding covenant He made with them,
remembering the original vow He swore to Abraham,
from whom we are all descended.
God will rescue us from the grasp of our enemies
so that we may serve Him without fear all our days
in holiness and justice, in the presence of the Lord.
(Luke 1:68-75)

Response in Prayer

Holy Father, as I am early in this New Year, please bring Your fresh grace to renew my heart as I seek to live to honor you! In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.