Read: Isaiah 40:1-11 “Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.” Isaiah 40:4 (NIV) This song was written to originally welcome the New Year as a Ukrainian Folk song called ‘Shchedryk’, translated as ‘The Little Swallow’. It tells of a swallow who flies into a household to proclaim the plentiful year that will come the following spring. Mykola Leontovych arranged the song in 1916 and in 1922 Peter J. Wilhousky wrote the English lyrics, giving it more of a Christmas focus.
Listening to the song, especially an acapella version with 5-part harmonies, one can hear the bells welcoming the new year and bringing good cheer to a cold European winter. During the Christmas season we share love and peace and hope with each other. We join in the festivities of the seasons – parties, dinners, BBQs, fellowship and family time. There can be though, after all have gone home and the Christmas festivities are over, some post-Christmas blues. We look to another year, but what does it hold for each of us? Sometimes I am actually overwhelmed during Christmas and look forward to some down time in January, but then I look back and wish I had done more. I can get despondent and wonder when the family will be together again and share the fun times again.
That is where HOPE comes in. You cannot have Christmas and Jesus without hope. The hope of a new-born and all the things He will do and achieve through His life. This song reminds us of the hope and joy of Christmas. The bells and running tune can’t help but bring a smile to the heart. During difficult times, I listen to songs with hopeful lyrics to bolster my soul. The original version of this song was composed during the most hopeless time – the first World War. ‘Carol of the Bells’ was written to bring hope to a despairing people. God gave his only Son to bring us hope at Christmas. The world can easily get us down or bring us despair, but Jesus came so that we can live. As we go through this year, keep hope alive in your hearts. Sing or listen to: Carol of the Bells
PRAYER V1: Hark! How the bells Sweet silver bells All seem to say ‘throw cares away’. Christmas is here Bringing good cheer to young and old Meek and the bold. V2; Ding, dong, ding dong That is their song with joyful ring All carolling One seems to hear Words of good cheer. From ev’rywhere Filling the air. Amen.
by Emma Strelan
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When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders (Matthew 27:3).
Read Matthew 27:1–10
Yesterday, we encountered Peter’s failure in the face of Jesus’ faithfulness. Today, we turn to another of Jesus’ closest friends: Judas, who unfortunately doesn’t get a redemption arc like Peter.
There will always be many complexities to wrestle with in the case of Judas. What exactly motivated him to hand Jesus over in the first place? Why was he ‘seized with remorse’ so soon after? What was it that made him realise what he’d just done? And why was he driven to end things the way he did?
One thing’s for certain, though, is that Judas chose to cut himself off from Jesus. Perhaps in returning the 30 pieces of silver, he was seeking absolution from the chief priests, but they did not want or care for his remorse. It seems Judas never quite grasped the message that Jesus, in his ministry, pointed to and went on to fulfil that same evening – that Jesus is the only way to true redemption. Any other way of trying to make things right ultimately ends in death.
Let’s turn back to Peter for a moment. Unlike Judas, Peter accepts Jesus’ forgiveness, the price paid by the innocent king. And God goes on to use Peter to do marvellous things for the kingdom.
Judas had cut himself off from Jesus and couldn’t live with himself. But, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we never have to be cut off from Jesus. His forgiveness is always available. His grace is sufficient.
May we be reminded of this grace every day and trust that because of it, there’s always hope for redemption.
Lord of salvation, thank you that our failures will never be too big for your grace to heal. When we read passages like today’s, please help us wrestle with the complexities they raise, but ultimately remember the simplicity of the gospel – your grace given to us. Amen.
Emma Strelan works part-time as a content producer with Lutheran Media and part-time as a freelance videographer around Adelaide. You’ll often find her rummaging through op shops or dreaming of her next camping trip or outdoor adventure. She feels blessed that her current work combines two of her biggest passions – creative media and exploring faith – and hopes the projects she works on will have a positive impact on others.
by Emma Strelan
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:75).
Read Matthew 26:69–75
Shame. It’s a powerful feeling. When we have acted in a way utterly opposed to our morals and intentions, it makes us question our very identity. Who are we if we can’t do what we know to be right?
I’m sure Peter felt that way. So aware of the words of passion and challenge that he’d spoken to Jesus that same evening: ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you!’ Peter’s words were rendered seemingly meaningless by his own weakness.
How often have we made a commitment to God, a promise of faithfulness, obedience and willingness to do whatever it takes to follow him, only to turn and fall down the next moment? The burden of our shame weighs heavily upon us.
Over the past few years, I have taken my spiritual formation seriously. I’ve completed a six-month intensive discipleship and mission course, read spiritual formation books by renowned authors, practised various spiritual disciplines and met with a spiritual director. I have learned enormous amounts about myself and God during that time and have been constantly challenged in many of the foundational parts of my identity and beliefs.
However, after all these years of seeking to go deeper with God and asking him what’s next and what I can learn now, it has been my experience of grace in the face of failure that has had the most profound and transformative impact on me.
Peter had many powerful first-hand experiences with God, both building him up and reminding him of his humanness. As one author I’ve been reading put it: ‘No-one flops like Peter.’
Jesus knew Peter would fail. Our flops don’t surprise Jesus. Neither does Jesus need nor want our bravado. He knows our flesh is still weak, no matter how willing the spirit is.
But the gospel story is one of redemption for Peter – and for us. Maybe we all flop like Peter. But no-one succeeds like Jesus.
God, our victorious king, may we rest in your victory, which covers our failures. Please keep picking us back up when we fall. Thank you for your eternal grace that never ceases to amaze and transform. Amen.
Emma Strelan works part-time as a content producer with Lutheran Media and part-time as a freelance videographer around Adelaide. You’ll often find her rummaging through op shops or dreaming of her next camping trip or outdoor adventure. She feels blessed that her current work combines two of her biggest passions – creative media and exploring faith – and hopes the projects she works on will have a positive impact on others.
by Emma Strelan
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, ‘I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God’ (Matthew 26:63).
Read Matthew 26:57–68
Today’s challenge to Jesus comes from the high priest Caiaphas.
Caiaphas represents and embodies the Jewish religious establishment, supposed to uphold the ancient laws and customs that establish the Israelites as God’s chosen people. Yet, Caiaphas is also a politically controversial religious leader, as he was appointed by the occupying Romans.
Unlike the expert in the law from yesterday’s reading, who was willing to engage in Jesus’ returning questions, Caiaphas is only really looking for one answer from Jesus: proof that this come-from-nothing backwater preacher isn’t a threat to his own religious authority and power.
So, Caiaphas presents Jesus with this challenge: ‘I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ He’s basically telling Jesus to either admit he’s not who he’s claiming to be or be charged with blasphemy.
But Jesus won’t be cornered that easily. He knows that making plays for power and control do not ultimately impact the Father’s almighty plan.
Caiaphas fails to realise that this man whom he charges ‘under oath by the living God’ is, in fact, the God who dies. While the great high priest is doing all he can to keep control of the situation and maintain his place as the religious leader of the Jews, the very God he claims to serve is giving up his control, becoming powerless, weak and dead. Actions speak louder than words.
We can challenge God’s power and sovereignty all we want, but God’s response will always be: ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And that ‘I AM’ is the Messiah, our Saviour. Let us not let our pride and desire for control blind us to who God is and what he has done for us.
God of truth, may our pride, fear and power be laid low so that your truth may be made known in our hearts and lives. Amen.
Emma Strelan works part-time as a content producer with Lutheran Media and part-time as a freelance videographer around Adelaide. You’ll often find her rummaging through op shops or dreaming of her next camping trip or outdoor adventure. She feels blessed that her current work combines two of her biggest passions – creative media and exploring faith – and hopes the projects she works on will have a positive impact on others.