The One who had been laid in a manger, the One of whom the angels sang, the One shepherds told, and the wise men travelled to see —had grown up to be their friend.
Their friend.
They had fished together and watched Him feed the five thousand together.
But they had also walked miles of hot, dusty roads and ate countless normal meals together over those three years.
And now, for one last time, the Savior and His disciples sat down to eat.
But then, the One they had left all to follow, said words their hearts weren’t prepared to hear —“one of you will betray Me.” (Matt 26:22)
Can you imagine the weight of those words?
But would their response be yours? Would it be mine?
“And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” (Matt 26:22)
“Is it I?”
Had Judas not given them reason to suspect? Had there not been hushed conversation and pointed fingers?
But there is no mention of this.
Each of them only asked, “Is it I?”
“It is a beautiful trait in the character of the disciples that they did not suspect one another, but every one of them inquired, almost incredulously, as the form of the question implies, ‘Lord, is it I?’ No one said, ‘Lord is it Judas?’” (Spurgeon)
And with that, I know my heart needs more work if I want to freely celebrate the Christ of Christmas.
I want to be more like those disciples. I want my first thought when it comes to sin to be my own and not someone else’s.
As my heart prepares to celebrate the Christ of Christmas, I want the Lord to examine my heart and rid me of absolutely anything that displeases Him.
I want nothing to come between us. I don’t want to compromise in any area and give room for sin’s dread sway.
I want my life to live the words Rhea Miller wrote and George Beverly Shea put to music—
“I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands.
I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand
Chorus:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway.
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
2 I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame.
I’d rather be true to His holy name [Chorus]
3 He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs.
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead” (Miller/Shea)
Oh may our hearts be quick to recognize and confess our own sin and prepared to draw close and truly celebrate Him!
What a Savior!
The Christ of Christmas!
#Christmas
#readMatthew
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