Christian Reflection and Prayer

"A Dead Stump"

Read Isaiah 11:1-5.
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and
a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.  Isaiah 11:1

We were so excited when we brought the Christmas tree home,
but it never went into the house until the next day. My Dad
knew the tree would never last unless it soaked up plenty of
sugar water. So he cut a few inches off the bottom and soaked
it in sugar water until the next night. I still recall holding in my
hands that piece of dead stump he had cut off. It was only an
inch or two high, but it was definitely dead. Today's reading
speaks about a dead tree stump, "There shall come forth a
shoot from the stump of Jesse."

Jesse was the father of King David and all his descendants who
ruled over Judah-the Southern Kingdom. When those kings
turned away from God to lead their people in the worship of false
idols, the Lord cut off their kingship and sent His people into
exile. The strong family tree was cut off and only a dead stump
remained. For centuries not a single king rose from that stump to
rule on their throne. All that could be seen was the dead stump
of the line of David.

But in the fullness of time a shoot began to grow out of that stump.
That shoot was Jesus Christ. He was born a baby and laid to
sleep in Bethlehem's manger. He didn't come to claim any earthly
kingdom as His own. Instead, he came as our King to battle our
enemies: Satan, sin, death, and hell.

Though He Himself was cut down on the cross, and His lifeless
body was laid in the tomb, Christ rose again from the grave with
power and great glory. Through Baptism He makes us alive to God
though we were dead in our sins. Through His Word He makes us
wise in the ways of His salvation, and in Holy Communion He gives
us His body and blood by which He paid for our sins and won our
redemption. Now He lives to guide us on our journey to our
heavenly home.

THE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son as a tender
shoot out of a dead tree stump. He has saved us from our sins
and opened the Kingdom of heaven to us. Help us tell the whole
world of His wonderful salvation. In Jesus' Name.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

"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)