Advent Day 21 - Jesus is a Different Kind of King

This year's Advent devotionals are from A Celebration of Advent:
A 25-Day Devotional by New Spring Church of Anderson, SC
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“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” 

Isaiah 11:1-2

We all have bosses — some good, some not. Jesus is a different kind of King. Imagine a boss who is always wise, patient, gentle, kind, and faithful to keep his promises. What if that leader always had his employees’ best interests at heart? And, what if following this authority led to more peace than you knew was possible?

Isaiah tells us that this type of King will rule the people of God. These verses announced to God’s people that your Savior is coming! This King will be righteous and dispense justice based on obedience, not favoritism. This kingdom would be different than anything we have ever known. This King will ask people to follow Him. He will draw people to Himself through love, not fear.

Jesus is the king Isaiah describes. And when He returns to rule and reign, “the whole earth will be brimming with knowing God-Alive, a living knowledge of God ocean-deep, ocean-wide” Isaiah 11:9, MSG.

Reflect: Read Isaiah 11:1-10

How does Isaiah’s description of the King remind you of Jesus?
How might your relationship with Jesus need to change to reflect that He is both Savior and Ruler?

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Prayer:

Father,

           It is only by faith in You and Your Word that we can even dream of a kingdom where nothing will hurt or destroy each other or anything else. Your Word declares Your love is how we will be identified as Your disciples. Help us do our part as Christ-followers to live in peace and extend Your amazing love to one another. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Jesus Said Share

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

Has mankind always lived as separatists? Taking exception to one thing or the other in order to walk their own way, do their own thing? Yes, we have. We take our differences and make them into separate denominations - sometimes over the silliest of things - such as whether or not Adam had a belly button.

It's not the way God intended. When He said, "Come out from among them" it wasn't to be separated from our brethren. It was to be separated from the sin of the world. From before the foundation of the world, God's plan was to restore all of us to Himself through Christ our Lord. He said, go and make disciples of all the nations... ALL the nations. He didn't say all but the Muslim world. All but the Orthodoxy. All but the (fill in the blank). 

Revelation 22:17 reads,  The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. God's plan has always been for disciples to obey and share His Word. He never said, "keep it to yourself". It's always been about "whosoever will".  Jesus said share...  Are we?

Prayer:

Father,

           Break our stubborn hearts for one another. Let us put on Christ in Your fullness that we are not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Help us to lay down the pride and stubbornness of ourselves so that all this world can see in us is Christ and Him crucified.  In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen