Bible Verse: But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. Galatians 4:4-5, NLT
Scripture Reading: Galatians 4:1-7; Ephesians 2:11-18
Are you a “follow-the-instructions” or a “fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants” type of guy? When you open that new gift, do you trash the manual or treat it as a sacred text?
Depending on your answer, you may have a whole new level of anxiety for those around you who think differently.
Full confession: I’m a “follow-the-instructions” dude. I have to stick to the plan, which is obviously the more spiritual approach. But seriously, the Christmas story was not a series of random events. It is the story of a divine plan.
Theologian Timothy George states: “The coming of Jesus Christ into human history was not an accidental happening in late antiquity. Not only was the incarnation the fulfillment of myriads of Old Testament prophecies, but it also was the culmination of a plan devised within the eternal counsel of the triune God before the creation of the world.”¹
Paul’s unique expression, “…when the right time came, God sent his Son…“ speaks of God’s intentionality and divinity. It was His Master Plan to bring salvation and reconciliation to the human race.
He not only had a plan, but He inserted Himself into His plan. Incredible. Paul picks this theme up in his letter to the Ephesians: “He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from Him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us (Ephesians 2:17–18).” Christmas is the evidence of the plan of peace.
The Prince of Peace meets us where we are, no matter how close or far, to give us what we desperately need: peace with God. And the amazing reality is that we were a part of His divine plan of peace. Receive His peace today.
Prayer: Lord, I confess my need of You. Thank You for your plan of peace that includes me. I receive Your peace today. Amen.
Reflection: Are there areas of your life where you need peace? Do you have peace and assurance in your relationship with Christ? Who do you know that needs to discover peace in Christ?
¹Timothy George, Galatians, vol. 30, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 301.
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