Advent Devotional for December 1

December 1, 2010, First Wednesday of Advent

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-5

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot – yes, a new branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his world, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.

The people of Israel had an image of what to expect in the Messiah. Call it a job description for what the Messiah would look like.

The Messiah – Christ – would have a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord. The Messiah will be obedient to the will of the Lord. He will not judge others simply because of how they look, nor make decisions through gossip or innuendos. The Messiah will be concerned for the poor, and seek justice for them. He will be concerned for the exploited and strike fear into the hearts of the wicked. Righteousness and truth will be the Messiah’s focus.

We are called to take on this image and be the hands and feet of Christ in the world today. To do so, then we should be about seeking wisdom and understanding from the Lord and allowing that to impact how we interact with others. To have a reverence and love of the Lord and allow that to be our guide. To be obedient to God, first. To see justice for the poor and the exploited. To be about righteousness and truth.

What would it look like for us all to be Christ-like in our relationships and activities in Lexington-Fayette and the world? How would that image transform our hearts and how we interact with others?

The possibilities are endless, as is the difference it would make in the lives of others.

Lord, We our yours. You call us to be transformed into your image. Enable us to be filled with your wisdom and truth. Make us conduits of your righteousness and justice. May we be about living into your image this season. Amen.