Advent Devotional: Dec 12

Psalm 42 | Isaiah 29:17-24 | Acts 5:12-16

Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed. (Acts 5:14-16)

When the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus to ask if he was the messiah, Jesus responded, “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” This was the proof that Jesus offered to show he was the One sent by God the Father to save his people. 

The work of Jesus continued among his disciples after he ascended into heaven. Over 2,00 years later, the Church still draws people to God through acts of mercy and love. We are called to be people filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control who invite others into following the way of Jesus.

During Advent we remember that Jesus is the son of a young Jewish woman (meaning Jesus is also Jewish) from a poor village in the countryside. He was sent “to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1). He “was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity” (Isaiah 53:3). We receive him with joyful hearts knowing that when he comes again, we will be healed and made whole. The blind will see, the lame will walk, the sick will be healed, the deaf will hear, the dead will be raised to life, and the poor will see the one who brings good news.

Reflection Questions: How would you describe God? How would you describe Jesus? Do these two descriptions align?

Readings from the Revised Common Lectionary
Scripture taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica, Inc.
Reflections by Rev. Serena J. Wolfe