Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Reverend Wayne Palmer "Children's Games" Saturday, 20 December 2014

Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Reverend Wayne Palmer "Children's Games" Saturday, 20 December 2014 Read Matthew 11:7-10 When John’s disciples left to report, Jesus started talking to the crowd about John. “What did you expect when you went out to see him in the wild? A weekend camper? Hardly. What then? A sheik in silk pajamas? Not in the wilderness, not by a long shot. What then? A prophet? That’s right, a prophet! Probably the best prophet you’ll ever hear. He is the prophet that Malachi announced when he wrote, ‘I’m sending my prophet ahead of you, to make the road smooth for you.’ 11-14 “Let me tell you what’s going on here: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer; but in the kingdom he prepared you for, the lowliest person is ahead of him. For a long time now people have tried to force themselves into God’s kingdom. But if you read the books of the Prophets and God’s Law closely, you will see them culminate in John, teaming up with him in preparing the way for the Messiah of the kingdom. Looked at in this way, John is the ‘Elijah’ you’ve all been expecting to arrive and introduce the Messiah. 15 “Are you listening to me? Really listening?. "From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force."[Matthew 11:12] Kids can be cruel-so can reindeer. It always bothered me as a kid when we got to that part about "all of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names. They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games." Children love to play games, especially when they can make up the rules. That's the kind of world Jesus Christ lived in and the kind of world we live in. The Jewish leaders were like children. They didn't like the way John the Baptist was so strong and fiery. When he ate locusts and wild honey and abstained from drinking wine it made them look bad. But they didn't like what Jesus was doing either. That was because He was preaching the Good News. He was also feasting, drinking, and celebrating with sinners who came to repentance-sinners they had pushed away. But Jesus wasn't going to play their game. He played by God's rules the same way John did. John's deeds were from God. They showed us that we must turn from our sins and put our trust in Jesus Christ alone. And Jesus' deeds were from God too. They showed us God's mercy and love for all those devastated by sin and death. The things Jesus did, especially in His suffering, death, and glorious resurrection, proved He was the mighty Son of God. When we live according to God's design-repenting of our sins, trusting in His forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and sharing His love with the world-we will be misjudged, mocked, and ridiculed by the children around us. But God knows, and in the end He will prove us right through Jesus Christ our Lord. God has helped us see this world as adults, so just like the prophets and John and Jesus we can remain calm and strong even when we are falsely accused and viciously attacked. We know in His good time God will vindicate us from all false accusations. THE PRAYER: Lord God, comfort and uphold us when those around us play their children's games. Help us be strong and mature in Jesus Christ our Savior so that we may keep showing the world Your love and grace. In Jesus' Name.

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