As we head into this new year, may God renew in our hearts a great appreciation for our Lord – the One who is highly exalted and yet stands at the door of our hearts for intimate fellowship.
-Chris Reeves
During this season, many people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is always good to remember the glory and wonder of God the Son emptying Himself to dwell within the person of Jesus, the Messiah. John, the beloved disciple, wrote, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory” (John 1:14).
Isaiah prophesied regarding Jesus, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Out of our Father’s gracious love for mankind, He sent His Son to bring redemption and reconciliation. And when He came to earth, born as a human being, He did not regard equality with God as a thing to be grasped or asserted, “but emptied Himself, taking on the form of a bond-servant” and “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8). He gave Himself in loving submission to the will of His Father to secure our salvation. Therefore, “God highly exalted Him and bestowed upon Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow… and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
As we head into this new year, may God renew in our hearts a great appreciation for our Lord – the One who is highly exalted and yet stands at the door of our hearts for intimate fellowship. And as we work together for the good of His kingdom on earth, let us always remain deeply in love with Him—our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
