Build Community 1

1 John 1:3-4

When I was in college I was asked to be a date for my cousin’s friend for their prom – they both attended an all-girls school. On that date we went to a quaint Italian restaurant, one of those old-fashioned, family-run places that hadn’t changed in years. After we were married I took my wife to the same restaurant so she could experience the place. Years later I took my co-workers there for lunch so they could enjoy the restaurant.

I had a great time and good food on every occasion. It was fun to be able to share the experience – the food, the atmosphere, the kitschy décor – with those I cared about. Sharing good things can bring about a sense of community and joy.

The first letter from John, possibly one of the disciples, explains the reasons for writing to new believers. What is he proclaiming, or telling? Why does he do this? What is the benefit?

Clearly John has had an experience with Jesus Christ, whether he has had a first-hand, personal encounter with the Savior, or he is among the early believers who have heard the stories of Christ. Whatever the case, John is compelled to share his story. He wants others to know of the wonderful news that he has heard and he wants others to come to know who Jesus was and is.

One desire of his is that these new believers, those who will read his letter, will come into fellowship with John and the other believers. That fellowship not only includes John and others, it also is a fellowship with God, the Father, and with Jesus.

As each new person enters into this community that John hopes to build there will be joy. That joy is not just for John and not just for those who come to believe. That joy is for all who will celebrate the arrival of the new believer. And with that joy comes a sense of completeness, fullness, community.

We must be like John. We must desire to share the love and joy we know in our relationship with Jesus. We must desire to build a real community of believers, a complete collection of all who have come to know Christ. To do that we must share Jesus with others and welcome the new believer in true hospitality.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you invite someone into your community of faith?

Mighty God 5

Luke 1:39-45

As children my cousins had a very visible and simple way of showing their delight. Whenever something made them extremely happy they would hop up and down, literally leaping in their joy. Christmas mornings or surprise birthdays would find these children bouncing straight up and down in happiness. What a wonderful display of sheer joy.

After learning that she would bear the Son of God, Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, of whom Gabriel has spoken. What happens with Elizabeth? What does the Holy Spirit cause Elizabeth to recognize? Why did the baby (John the Baptist) leap in her womb?

The gift of Jesus is the gift that brings more joy than any other present any person might find under the Christmas tree. And two of the first people to recognize the wonder of God’s gift were John the Baptist and his mother, Elizabeth. Just the sound of Mary’s voice was enough to stir the unborn John as he recognized the woman who would bring forth such a blessing to the world.

The Holy Spirit, with the aid of the moving baby, made Elizabeth also recognize what was going on. These two women and the unborn child were part of the miracle of Christmas and the arrival of God on earth. These three would be among the many witnesses who would see the mighty God of all things manifested in human form through Jesus.

And this was a cause of great joy. Certainly Mary was filled with joy, so much so that she rushed to share the event with her cousin. Elizabeth was filled with joy when she realized the import of what was happening. And the joy of our mighty God even reached an unborn child, filling him with such emotion that the confines of the womb could not prevent his own leap for joy.

The celebration of Christmas can become so humdrum and familiar that we miss the amazing truth to the whole story. It is the celebration that the mighty God of the universe has reached out to us. God loves us so much that he sent His Son to be with us. This should cause great joy.

May this holiday season fill you with such happiness that you are willing to break through any confines and constrictions in your life and leap for joy the way John did.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can your joy be renewed?