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Friday December 19 - Let earth receive her King!
“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” Revelation 2:10
Christmas wreaths are beautiful decorations, and wreath-making events are a popular way of inviting non-Christian friends to hear a gospel talk while having fun creating!
Traditional holly wreaths are sharp; they represent the crown of thorns brutally forced down on Jesus’ head at his crucifixion; their red berries represent his blood. Romans traditionally wove wreaths of soft laurel leaves to crown and honour the heads of generals and athletes after victorious achievements. But Jesus’ crown was made of thorns that mocked this ‘king of the Jews’ nailed to a cross – whose achievements seemed only to be disgrace and death.
But we’re so blessed to know that our victorious King Jesus willingly exchanged his heavenly crown for the crown of thorns, to free us from the thorns and death of sin’s curse (Genesis 3:18-19). In today’s verse Jesus assures all who believe and trust in him that after we die we won’t be cut off from God by sin’s ‘second death’ punishment (Revelation 2:11). King Jesus has won for us the eternal crown of everlasting life, which we can’t earn and don’t deserve. It’s his love gift, freely given to you and me. Sacrificial love entered the crib that first Christmas night! Let’s lift our voices this Christmas, in adoration of him! ‘Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her King!’
King Jesus, your sacrifice and promise of eternal life fill me with joy! May I be faithful till my earthly life comes to an end. Amen.
Saturday December 20 - Come, Lord Jesus! “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 2:11
A few years after John received the Revelation, Polycarp (one of John’s young disciples) became Smyrna’s pastor. His writings show that he faithfully preached the true gospel handed down by John and other eyewitnesses of Jesus. In AD 155, when about 86, he was martyred in Smyrna’s amphitheatre for refusing to renounce Christ, saying: “I bless you, Father, for judging me worthy of this hour, that in the company of the martyrs I may share the cup of Christ.”
Smyrna’s Christians remained faithful to the Spirit-filled scriptures John sent them – as exemplified by Polycarp. God’s living words of scripture, embedded in their hearts by his Spirit, continued to feed, bless and grow the church, and Smyrna city still exists today (as Izmir, in Turkey). God reveals wondrous, faith-building truths in Revelation, with images that stretch our human comprehension to its limits! We see Jesus in all his glorious majesty, and glimpse his eternal plans for his church. The Holy Spirit tells us that we are known and loved by Jesus, more deeply than we can ever comprehend!
I imagine the Smyrnaeans joyfully praying Revelation’s closing words; “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20), and as we celebrate Jesus’ first coming this Christmas, may we too, joyfully anticipate his second coming, and all the glory to come! In today’s verse, we too are urged to hear and obey God’s unchanging word, with his Spirit’s help, we will!
Precious Jesus, increase our love for you, as we hear and obey your Spirit-filled words: “Come, Lord Jesus!” Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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