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Hope Springs Forth
Throughout the year, we have continued to celebrate the 90th anniversary of The Upper Room daily Read More
Garrett Jacob | Read Colossians 1:15-20
In this section of Colossians, Paul tells the believers at Colossae that Jesus was and is every bit as almighty as God; that he was there from the very beginning; and that all things, from the smallest leaf of an olive tree to the mightiest authority in their time, were...
Creator and Redeemer, thank you for reminding me that I am never far from you, even bringing suffering upon yourself to make sure of it. Amen.
There is irony in attributing the title of “King” to Jesus. All our passages paint a picture of the Savior’s reign, but they describe it in a way that does not exactly scream, “all-powerful king.” Jeremiah prophesies about a future king who will bring security for all the people; Luke records the song of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, which promises a child who will bring mercy; the Gospel reading tells the story of Jesus’ death as an act of mercy for our forgiveness; and in Colossians, Christ is placed above all earthly rulers and powers. Does this absence of physical might mean there has been a mistake somewhere along the way? Not necessarily. A large part of the work of Jesus was challenging the beliefs of his time, and kingly language regarding a man who practiced non-violence, participated in the forgiveness of sins, and preached the ultimate importance of love, is no exception.
• Read Jeremiah 23:1-6. What does hope for redemption look like in a world that can sometimes seem so far from it?
• Read Luke 1:68-79. How have you seen God fulfill promises in your life? What was the moment like when you realized God had a plan all along?
• Read Colossians 1:11-20. Where are you needing endurance and patience? How can your relationship with God positively affect the way you exist in those spaces?
• Read Luke 23:33-43. What are ways you expect God to show up in your life today? How might these expectations be keeping you from seeing God already at work?
Respond by posting a prayer.
