August 14, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.” (Malachi 4.5)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD TO US:

What may seem like bad news to some will be good news to others and to yet others- no news at all. This is the truth of the “good news” which the angel of the Lord declared amid the heavenly host who appeared to the shepherds watching their flocks. The angel declared, “Behold, I bring good news of a great joy which is for all people: unto you (all) is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2.10-11) What was good news for the shepherds of the royal flocks meant for the Temple sacrifices to redeem Israel from their sins was not so good news to Herod the king of Israel in Jerusalem. For that we have the birth narrative from Matthew and the story of the visit of the Magi. They, too, witnessed a sign in the heavens. That sign was a unique star, not of David but of Christ the Lord foretold by the prophets of Israel. When they went to see what the Lord had shown them they went first to Jerusalem. They went there with the assumption that one born king of the Jews would be in the capitol city. The shepherds had been directed by the angel of the Lord the true revelation that Christ the Lord would be found in the City of David, Bethlehem. Perhaps there is something in those two stories which are different enough about the same event that we should learn from them. Many will see a sign but will not know the truth of the sign. Only when the revelation is clearly revealed, as by the Holy Spirit and the messengers of God such as angels, can it be clearly understood and experienced. That is the great joy and glad tidings of the gospel. It is far more than just a word. The gospel is an experience. It was when the priests in the court of Herod read back through the prophecies that they found the direction that should be taken. The magi followed that direction and found the fulfillment of their journey to meet the King of kings and Lord of lords. They came to the truth later (being the proverbial “gentiles” of the story) than the shepherds (being the representatives of Israel) but they came. This is the prophecy which the prophets of the exile continued to share with the nation of Israel and the whole world. The Messiah that was to come was “for the whole world.” That was good news for some and troubling news for others. Such trouble would lead to persecution and the requirement of great faith. It would lead to death and the hope of new life. This is the reality of the gospel which Jesus shared with His disciples. He warned them that the world would hate them (remove the covering of blessing and acceptance they had once enjoyed) as they hated Jesus. They would seek them out to kill them as they did Jesus. Jesus told them, however, “Do not be afraid because He had overcome the world.” The call to “fear not” or “do not be afraid” was the same word given to the shepherds. I believe it was also spoken to the magi who were warned to travel home in a different direction. All roads do not lead through Jerusalem! We know that as Mary and Joseph were equally warned to depart to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod. Following Herod’s death, Jesus’ family returned to Nazareth by a road not leading to Jerusalem. It would not be until Jesus goes to the Temple for His Bar-mitzvah at the age of 12 that we see the revelation of His identity as a Rabbi who teachers the leaders of Israel. As He told His parents, “You knew where you could find me. I was doing My Father’s work.” (Luke 2.49) Jesus showed “no fear.” He was committed all the while to do what His Father called Him to do. Even here, what was momentarily “bad news,” Jesus was missing, was “good news,” Jesus is found doing the work of God.

Mighty ones of God, the promise of God is to provide us with the Word of precaution and protection as well as the Word of proclamation and provision. We must receive His Word; engage it mentally, spiritually, heartily and intentionally; and share it with others based on our life’s relationship with putting faith in Him. We must be ready for that Day when it comes. The pre-emptive word of “Elijah” came in John the Baptizer who declared “Prepare the way of the Lord, He is coming; make straight paths for Him to receive Him.” With that Jesus was introduced to all the world from the greatest to the least. I believe that the “Age of the Church” is that modern-day Elijah whom God is sending into the world. Our day is coming to completion and we must fulfill it by following in the steps of John to hail the coming of the Glorified and Resurrected Christ and to call all people to “repent and be baptized.”

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.