December 15
Pat Chen, Minister of Pastoral Care & Small Groups
One thread woven through the book of Romans is the tense relationship between two peoples whom God brought together through the lordship of Christ. The Jews and Gentiles each carried generations of traditions, laws, and practices into their new life together. Naturally, partisanship erupted and threatened disunity in the newly formed church. But it is to this threat that Paul proclaims that Jesus Christ has become the hope of all peoples, so that together they might glorify God (Rom 15:7ff).
Earlier in our verses, Paul attributed the source of that Christian hope to the Scriptures –which promotes endurance and supplies encouragement. In verse 13, he ascribed Christian hope as abounding from the work of the Holy Spirit. Both are true. The Bible and the Holy Spirit are coupled and inseparable. For Paul, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, who is himself the Word of God made flesh.
Advent fills me with wonder and delight in Christ’s first coming. The season also reminds me that true Christmas hope comes from the Holy Spirit working through the Word of Christ to become that gift of saving faith. The more I hear God’s Word and apply it to my life, the more joy-filled this Advent season becomes and informs my reply to whomever asks about the hope I have.
And so “Emmanuel God with Us” is indeed good news for all peoples. Christ took on flesh not only to save Israel, but that others (you and I) could be adopted into the one, united family of God. Let us give glory to God for Christ who calls and gathers his people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. This is the hope we celebrate at Christmas, that good news was proclaimed to all people: The Christ is here!
Ask God to give you a heart that longs for His word so that you may experience and enjoy the hope that God has promised to his people.