Beholding

"Look!  Look!"  For many of us, (following shortly after, "See Dick run.  See Jane run . . .") those were some of the first words we learned to read.  There was power in those words.  There was a sense of wonder in "looking" and "seeing."  Our lives changed because we looked and saw.  That power is still there.  Lives still change.  Look, and see.

Behold the Lamb of God,

Who takes away the sins of the world

- John the Baptist

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so the Son of Man will be lifted up,

so that all who look to Him will be saved.

- Jesus

Behold the man! 

- Pilate

Behold what manner of the love the Father has given to us that we should be called the children of God!

- Apostle John

Perhaps you can think of others who have invited us to "behold"?  This is also what Pastor Jon invites us to do as he leads us in worship this week. You can listen to the sermon by clicking here.

Matthew 1:18-25 (TNIV)

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

    20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

    22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"  (which means "God with us").

    24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Some Things to Consider:

It's a messy story. A difficult story.  Yet, it is a wonderful story!  Take a moment or two to simply consider it - the way God is at work in a powerful way in the midst of what looks like a terrible mess!

What moments in your own life can you look back on now and see that God was at work in the midst of what looked like a huge mess at the time?

What messes are you facing now?  Where to you see God at work in the midst of these?  Perhaps a helpful question to ask is not so much, "how do I fix this?" as "Where do I see God at work here - and what do I sense God inviting me to do?"?

Isaiah 7:14

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel."

Thoughtful Quotes from a Fellow Traveler

"It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross.

"As we associate together, we may be a blessing to one another. If we are Christ's, our sweetest thoughts will be of Him. We shall love to talk of Him; and as we speak to one another of His love, our hearts will be softened by divine influences. Beholding the beauty of His character, we shall be 'changed into the same image from glory to glory.' 2 Cor. 3: 18." – Ellen White, Desire of Ages, 83 (1898).

"The very act of looking for evil in others develops evil in those who look. By dwelling upon the faults of others, we are changed into the same image. But by beholding Jesus, talking of His love and perfection of character, we become changed into His image. " – Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, 492(1905).

Psalms 27:4 [NASB]

One thing I have asked from the

That I may dwell in the house of life,

To behold the beauty of the LORD

And to meditate in His temple.

Questions for Reflection . . .

What, so far, has captured your attention this season?

What is it that you most find yourself "looking" at or dwelling upon?

What are some of the ways that you would like to re-direct your attention?

What, exactly, are you planning to do?  When will you do it?  Who have your shared this with?