Coming Into View

During the liturgical season of Advent, all Christendom prepares for the advent or coming of the baby Jesus. The word Advent literally means, coming into place or coming into view.

Yet we appreciate the full impact of Jesus’ advent only by looking at His ministry. For when this itinerant carpenter began to reveal His identity, the world responded, No one ever spoke the way this man does. (Jn. 7:46 NIV)

One day during Jesus’ early ministry, As he walked along he saw Levi [Matthew], son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. (Mk. 2:14a NIV) Jesus said, Follow me, and Matthew did. (v. 14c) He even accepted a new name.

Jesus is still revealing His identity by coming into view. He continues to reveal Himself to people, and He comes to us that we might come to Him. His invitation, Follow me, is still open.

Originally published November 26, 1982.
Picture: Homemade Christmas log. Photo by Solveig.

A New Covenant

It was impossible for anyone to live by all of the Old Testament regulations or by the early covenants God made with His people. When the Pharisees and Levites of Christ’s time (and earlier) tried, their lives became unbalanced. In fact, the Old Testament is a history of people who failed to keep their part of their covenant with God—because they could not.

Many New Testament passages quote Old Testament prophets that foretold the coming Messiah who would set things right. The book of Hebrews quotes Jeremiah: The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah . . . I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. (Heb. 8:8b,12 NIV)

Jesus understood the prophets and approached the Law differently than the religious leaders of His time. He never denigrated the Law or its practice—He shifted attention away from regulations to the reasons behind them. He emphasized loving, doing good, blessing, and praying—even when dealing with those who mistreat you. (Lk. 6:28b)

But in the end, Jesus fulfilled the Law when He made an offering we can’t make. He offered Himself as the final sacrifice for sin. He is our New Covenant.

Originally published February 24, 1984, and February 11, 1983.
Picture: Viewed from the street, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.