A Story of Lost and Found

The truth is that we cannot find ourselves. The reason so many of us feel disconnected from God and others is that we are trying to find ourselves. But we can't. The reality is that only God can find us. In fact, in Jesus Christ, God has taken the ultimate step to find His lost people. Have you been found?

This devotional contains the story of LIFE. The story of life simply put is that we are lost and can't find ourselves. But God can. Centuries before Jesus was born, God was at work to “find” His people. This devotional looks at the Old Testament individuals that God found. All of them together lead directly to Jesus Christ. Now in Jesus God's people have been found. That's something to celebrate!

Mark 8:22-29

Sunday, December 19

Living Hope

“ Zerubbabel ”

When Zerubbabel is born there is hope. Hope, not so much because a son born in captivity is going to change things, but hope because the covenant of David is still alive and God is at work. Indeed, Zerubbabel, the descendant of David and the ancestor of Christ, is one of the leaders who brings God's people back to the promised land. He brings them back to Jerusalem . Hope is awakened, and the redeeming goodness of God is seen once again.

But sometimes hope disappoints. I remember when we returned to New Jersey . Krista, my daughter, wanted to see our old home. She was all excited about seeing the “beautiful, awesome” house that we used to live in. Yet when she saw the house she was disappointed. “They ruined it,” she cried! My daughter Kayla agreed.

Actually, the house was greatly improved, but it was also dramatically changed. New siding, a new deck on back, and new windows had dramatically changed the appearance of the house. It just wasn't the same and as far as Krista and Kayla were concerned that ruined everything. As the saying goes, you can't go home again.

But God does lead His people home. Frankly, they are under-whelmed. It takes years to rebuild the walls and temple of Jerusalem . The newly restored people are still sinful and fail repeatedly to follow God's law and way. The new temple never regains past glory, and the restored kingdom never really gets any traction in the new political landscape. But, still there is hope. Hope not in man's ways but in God's way.

Zerubbabel leads to Christ, and Christ is God's way of salvation for all his people. All we need to do is to be a part of the line of Christ and then we have hope. In the New Testament the Apostle Paul tells us that if we are grafted into the “branch” of Christ by faith then we can be sure of salvation. God has found us in Christ. That is living hope!

Matthew 1:12-17

Monday, December 20

Who are These Guys?

“Abiud, Eliakim, Azor, Zadok, Akim, Eliud, Eleazar, Matthan, Jacob”

But who are the guys listed between Zerubbabel and Joseph in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus? Frankly, we don't know. Rather, all we know about them is that Matthew lists them as the ancestors of Jesus. For virtually every other name on Matthew's list we can find additional Biblical material to flesh out their respective deeds and beliefs. Not so with these guys. Simply put, from a human perspective, we know next to nothing about them. But from a divine perspective we know everything we need to know: God is at work to bring goodness through them.

Their goodness is not found in what they did, for we don't know what they did. Their goodness is not found in what they believed, for we don't know what they believed. These unknown men that Matthew lists find their goodness not in themselves but in God.

Some may suggest that the men listed are good simply because they are on the list of those included in Jesus genealogy. But let's remember that the rest of the people on Matthew's list are decidedly less than perfectly good in their deeds and beliefs. In fact, as we have seen, the list of Jesus ancestors is filled with lost people whom God needs to find before anything good comes. But goodness does come through God.

In this last week before Christmas let's make sure that we look for the goodness that comes from God. Yes, Santa is a good guy. So are Jack Frost, Rudolf, and even Charlie Brown. But only the goodness of Jesus Christ can save us.

Matthew 1:18-25

Tuesday, December 21

A Righteous Man

“ Joseph …”

Joseph demonstrates what it means to be an obedient and righteous man of God on several occasions in the first two chapters of Matthew. First, Joseph decides to save Mary from public disgrace when she is found to be with child. Then, when an angel appears to tell Joseph that the child is “from the Holy Spirit,” he obediently responds by taking Mary as his wife. He is ready and willing to do both of these things in spite of the ridicule and judgment that this undoubtedly brought upon him from those who would logically assume that he was guilty of getting Mary pregnant before marriage.

After Jesus' birth, Joseph continues in his righteous ways. Once again an angel sent by God speaks to Joseph in a dream to warn of the impending danger from King Herod. And once again Joseph responds in obedience by going down to Egypt to live. This action saves Mary and Jesus from murderous King Herod. Then, when told by God through an angel that he could return to Israel , Joseph again obeys. Finally, Joseph demonstrates his righteousness again by listening to another warning given in a dream and safely taking Mary and Jesus to Nazareth .

As we have seen throughout our devotionals on Jesus' genealogy, God can find and work through anyone. Here, with Joseph, we see him finding and working through a righteous and obedient man. Has God found you? Will you respond with obedience?

Matthew 2:13-23

Wednesday, December 22

A Proud Husband

“…the husband of Mary”

But in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, Joseph is never referred to as Jesus' dad. Of course there are important theological reasons for this truth. Matthew wants us all to know that Jesus' real father is in heaven. But still, in the paternalistic society of that day, to be a father was significant. Joseph, however, is merely identified as Mary's husband. Again, in the culture of that day such a designation was humbling. Yet, I have a feeling that this identification would be okay with Joseph.

As a righteous man Joseph would have understand that righteousness isn't about fame or notoriety. God had found him and made him the man he was through the law and prophets. God had given him a unique role to play in His plan to find the lost. As we saw in yesterday's devotional, Joseph played the role well. His concern was to be obedient, not what kind of billing he would get in Jesus' genealogy.

What is your unique role and concern this Christmas? Has God found you like He did Joseph? Believe in the name of Jesus and you can be sure that you are found! Then, having been found by God, you will be empowered with a unique role in His kingdom. It will be different than Joseph's role. It probably won't make you famous, popular, or special in most people's eyes. Your concern must simply be faithfulness and obedience to God in all areas of life. He has found you for His purpose. Live as a found person of God!

Isaiah 7:13-15

Thursday, December 23

A Virgin Gives Birth

“… Mary , of whom was born Jesus”

 In a few places I began to see the signs even before Halloween. In mid-October I saw tinsel, stockings, Christmas trees and ornaments. Mid-October! By the end of October and beginning of November all the signs were out in force. Woodland Mall was putting the finishing touches on Santa's red carpet during the first weekend of November. Our neighbors put up their Christmas lights weeks before Thanksgiving. Ah, yes, the signs of Christmastime were around before I even began to write this devotional booklet.

But the true sign of Christmas is the virgin Mary. Isaiah had prophesied of her appearance generations before. God had found Mary even before she was born. He chose her. Once again we don't know why Mary was the one He picked. The Bible simply says that she was “favored.” The Bible never tells us why she was favored. There is no biblical support for an “immaculate” Mary. She is sinful, just like all her ancestors, just like all the others in Jesus' lineage. But God has found her, called her, and made her the real true sign of Christ's birth.

The virgin birth is another powerful reminder that God accomplishes everything surrounding the birth of Christ. Yes, Mary is an outstanding example of what us human beings can be when we are faithful. Yes, there are some outstanding characters in Jesus' genealogy. But all of them would be lost without God. All of them needed to be found by God before we could ever read of them.

Likewise, all of us are lost without God. We need to be found in Christ before we can achieve anything redemptive. We need Mary's son, God's Son, to be our Savior. Have you seen the real sign of Christmas? Do you know her son? Do you know Jesus?

Matthew 1:21

Friday, December 24

The Lord Saves

“ … Jesus… ”

 Tonight is Christmas Eve. The images of Jesus have been everywhere in our society over the past weeks. There have been images of a baby in the manger, images of a baby receiving wise men, and images of cattle lowing and shepherds coming. Lord willing, by the time you read this devotional Brookside will have seen these images of Jesus through the singing of Christmas carols, through a children's program, through Living Nativity, through our Senior Choir's Candlelight service, through a series of sermons, and on Christmas Eve itself we will see the reading and singing of the Christmas story. These are, I trust, powerful images of Jesus. Yet, even with all this positive attention, Jesus has an image problem.

People imagine that Jesus has come as the “model” human being providing us a moral example to follow as we seek to find salvation. Others suggest that Jesus has come as a great “teacher” giving us a wonderful body of teaching and ethical sayings to follow as we find salvation. Still others never quite get past the image of Jesus as a sweet innocent baby cooing while cattle are lowing. Many today have an image of Jesus as just one of the many spiritual leaders or gurus that one can add to the mix of Krishna , Buddha, and Mohammed. In short, too often we create Jesus in our own image, to suit our needs, to save ourselves. But the name of Jesus means “The Lord Saves.”

Even in the name that the Father provides for His Son, He is communicating the truth that we are lost and need salvation. We have seen throughout our brief study of Jesus' ancestors, that people, even great people, do not find themselves. God finds us in Christ. Yes, Jesus gives us a perfect moral example, a wonderful body of teaching, a great Christmas story, and perfect spiritual leadership. But His purpose in coming is to save us. He is the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.

Matthew 1:1-16

Saturday, December 25

The Anointed One

“… who is called Christ. ”

 On this Christmas Day take just a moment to remember those who came before Jesus. Remember Abraham who was found before he did anything special and called to be the father of God's people. Remember Isaac, the second born of questionable character, who is chosen in place of his brother. Remember Judah, the fourth born, and David, the eighth born. Remember the women: A deceiver who sleeps with her father-in-law; a prostitute who lies to her own people; a pagan widow; and, a woman who becomes queen through David's adultery and murder. Remember the kings of God's people who so often left the ways of the Lord and lead the people astray. It is quite a collection of people isn't it? Admittedly, I am neglecting to mention much of the good and positive things these ancestors of Jesus did. But still, the overwhelming testimony of Jesus' lineage is that they need more than just a little help. They need an all-powerful God to find them while they are lost.

Jesus Christ is the anointed one of God to do just that. The term Christ is the Greek form of the Hebrew word Messiah. It is the title that is given to Jesus as the Chosen One of God to bring salvation to His lost people.

Take just one more moment this Christmas to remember your own life. Who would you be without God? Before you knew Christ, who were you? Even after you knew Christ, how perfect were your character and actions. How well have your plans worked out for you? The answer to these questions will vary widely with each one of us. But all of us will have to acknowledge that we are lost until and unless God finds us in Christ. If you have been found, celebrate this Christmas. If you are still wandering around lost, confess your sins and come to Jesus, for God has found you in Him.

Lost and Found … come rejoice in the God who has already found you!

The daily devotionals for the week of December 19th will be posted here...