“The people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.” [1]
Knowing God yields strength and notable works.
How does a person come to know God?
1) God reveals Himself to us in the Bible.
2) God reveals Himself to people who believe in Jesus.
3) God gives His Spirit to those who believe in Jesus
Jesus is the Way to God our Father according to John 14:6.
Why must a person come to God through Jesus His Son?
Jesus Christ atoned for our sins on the cross. He is the Meditator between God and humankind. [2] He bridges the sin gap between a holy God and sinners by removing our sins from us and making way for God’s Spirit to come and dwell in us.
The Revised Common Lectionary Gospel Lesson for this Sunday, the Second Sunday of Advent is Mark 1:1-8. Verse 8 of this reading ends with John the Baptist stating…
“I have baptized you with water; but He [referring to Jesus] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
The people in the Christmas story are politically under the thumb of foreign invaders, and spiritually under the thumb of performance-oriented legalistic religious leaders. Circumstances seem highly unfavorable for them to know God and His strength.
But then…
God gave Elizabeth a son filled with the Holy Spirit. [3]
The Holy Spirit came upon Mary, and she conceived God's Son. [4]
Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit at the greeting of Mary. [5]
Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit. [6]
The Holy Spirit revealed the Messiah to Simeon. [7]
Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Simeon were filled and moved by the Holy Spirit. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Later, on the Day of Pentecost, the Church is born of the Holy Spirit. [8]
God the Father gave us His Son to redeem us from our sins. The Son gave us His Spirit to live in us and empower us. This is why those who know God are strong and do great exploits.
As Daniel wrote…
“Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.” [9]
[1] Daniel 11:32
[2] 1 Timothy 2:5
[3] Luke 1:15
[4] Luke 1:35
[5] Luke 1:41
[6] Luke 1:67
[7] Luke 2:26
[8] Acts 2
[9] Daniel 12:3
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