Christian Reflection and Prayer

"Picking the Right Tree"

Read Psalm 72:1-7.
May He defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance
to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor! Psalm 72:4

When I was growing up, our Christmas tree was always a freshly cut
tree. We used to buy them from our neighbor's produce stand. I
remember one year Dad picked a tree he thought was perfect, but
our neighbor shook his head and said, "Did you notice the bottom
of the trunk?" My Dad hadn't seen that it was club-footed. He would
have had to cut a foot off the bottom of the tree to make it fit the
stand. Another choice looked good, until our neighbor pointed out
how twisted and curved the trunk was; it would never stand up
straight. We quickly learned we could trust our neighbor to be a good,
reliable judge of Christmas trees.

The same is true of our Savior and our Judge. To be a good judge of
people He must be absolutely perfect and true. He can't judge out of
false motives, twisted reasons, or partiality, which is a good thing
when someone else has wronged us. But we also know we have
wronged plenty of people ourselves. So what happens when our
Judge turns His perfect, discerning eyes on us?

In this beginning of the second week of Advent we remember that
God our Father has called us to come up to His heavenly home.
But we are unworthy. Like unfit trees in a Christmas tree lot, we can
do nothing to cure our twisted hearts and corrupt minds. Nor can we
hide them from our all-knowing Judge. Despite our best efforts and
intentions we cannot make ourselves worthy of taking our place in
God's house.

But that is why we celebrate Jesus' first coming in Bethlehem so
many years ago. He did not come as our mighty Judge. He came
as our humble Savior. He lived the perfect life we could never live so
that receiving His perfection as our own, we might be acceptable
before our Heavenly Father. And on the cross He took our
punishment upon Himself so that He might satisfy the just wrath of
God in our place. Because of His life, death, and resurrection -- and
the faith He has given us in Word and Sacraments -- we are ready to
stand before Him when He comes as Judge. Then He will declare us f
it to come into the house of the Lord and remain there forever.

THE PRAYER:

Jesus Christ, thank You for being our Savior from sin and death. When
we stand before Your judgment seat we know we will be found worthy
to inherit eternal life in Your Father's Kingdom because of Your life,
death, and resurrection. Receive our heartfelt praise and thanks. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

"Those Rest Stops Along the Way"

Read Matthew 21:8-11.
The crowds that went before Him and that followed
Him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed
is He who comes in the Name of the Lord." Matthew 21:9A

Rest Areas: they must have seemed like paradise to my
parents; they certainly were for us. They were a welcome
opportunity to get out of the crowded car, stretch our legs,
run around a little bit, and go to the bathroom.

But on second thought I have to take that back. I'm a grown
man now. I'll admit at certain times on long trips rest areas
are very welcome. But most times they are unwanted
interruptions that do nothing but draw out a trip that's too
long already! I find myself thinking of the progress we've lost --
the distance we could have covered if we had just stayed on
the road.

That's how stopping for church services can seem, especially
at this busy time of the year. We have so much to accomplish
every weekend and so little time to do it. Can we really afford
to stop and take the time to get ready and go to church?

Jesus thought so. The works He was doing were far more
important than the things that occupy our time. Yet He did not
neglect worship in the house of God. He knew life's journey can
consume us if we don't take time to rest, let God restore us,
and be reminded of the final destination at the end of life's road.

He also wants to remind us we aren't travelling alone. Rest
areas remind us of that fact too. The road is filled with people
just like us, each trying to reach his or her destination. Your
church is your rest area. It's an important place for you to stop
and get a little rest, get your mind off the difficulties of the journey,
and refocus on the end of the journey. The end of the journey is
an eternity of peace, joy, and wonder awaiting you. Weekly
worship is a place and time for you to gather with your fellow
travelers -- your brothers and sisters in Christ-and encourage one
another as you blend your praises for the Savior who has won
your home for you.

Churches, like rest areas, are interesting places. Some travelers
are weary when they enter; others are fresh and excited. Some
are eager to get back on the road again; others don't mind taking
some time away from it. Some dread the idea of piling back into
the car and hitting the road. It's important to remember a rest area
isn't home and neither is church. It's simply a place to pause and
refresh on the way to our true home.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You know I need times of rest just like all people.
Thank You for providing Your Church as a true rest area. Refresh
my heart and mind this weekend, so I may be restored and
renewed for the journey that lies ahead. Amen.
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(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

"Traveling with Our Special Guest"

Read Matthew 21:1-7.
Behold, your King is coming to you, humble, and mounted on
a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.
Matthew 21:5B

Our Advent journey continues and, no, we're not there yet!
(Wondering when we would arrive was always my favorite
question during our long family trips.) Today a special guest
joins us. He doesn't claim the best seat-either in the front of
the car or in the first-class section of the plane. He's content
to sit in coach, or if it were our old station wagon, He'd be
sitting in the middle seat in the middle bench. Even more
likely, He'd be in the rear-facing backbench that only my
youngest brother and I could handle riding in.

Thousands of years ago this One also travelled with crowds
making their way up to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem.
Even though He was by far the greatest to ever walk those
roads, year after year He walked as one among many. But in
today's reading, Jesus took His rightful place at the center of
the throng. He rode with praises into Jerusalem for the final
festival where He would go to battle for us, laying down His
life that we might have eternal life.

At Jesus' command two of the disciples borrowed an animal
on which He would ride into Jerusalem as our conquering King.
But He did not choose a towering, powerful, warhorse. No, He
rode on a young donkey, a lowly beast of burden.

That is the mark of our King. At Christmas He comes as a tiny
baby, humble and lowly, born in a manger. In meekness He
came to lay down His life as a sacrifice to save us from our sins,
from death, from Satan, and from hell.

Today He also comes among us in humility. He chooses lowly
water and joins His Word to it to transform lost sinners into
children of God. He gives us His body and blood in humble
bread and wine to forgive us by that same sacrifice that took
away the sins of the world.

Today Jesus invites us, "Come to Me, all you who are weary
and burdened and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Even as
we continue our journey toward Jerusalem, our King comes right
alongside us in great gentleness and humility. Since He is humble,
we too are moved to meekness toward each other, knowing He has
made our future certain in our eternal home.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, our Savior, thank You for coming to us in such humility.
You have saved us and now You ride with us to keep us and protect
us. Reassure us by Your presence and guide us safely to our home.
Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)