As I have every December for the last several years, it was my distinct delight to again read the book of Luke. I love every part of it. It’s full of the impossible, the improbable, the inconceivable. Announcements of unexpected pregnancies. An account of unconventional birth. A host of unbelievable healings, unimaginable vanquishment of evil spirits, and unparalleled teachings of love and forgiveness and grace. It’s beautiful, hopeful, joyous. Until chapter 22.
It takes a decided turn there. The beautiful beginning is almost swallowed up by the horrific ending. The final chapters of Luke are nearly unbearable as everything seems to unravel. Judas defects. Peter betrays. Jesus dies. The disciples hide. The wonderful, heart-warming story that’s been building since the Bethlehem stable deteriorates to a horrific scene of gory crucifixion, death and fear. Until chapter 24.
On the eve of Christmas, I read the final chapter of Luke. Perhaps you know it. Its triumph. Its comfort. Its joy. You likely remember its resounding words stating death had been eternally defeated, “He is not here. He is risen.” Maybe you remember Peter racing to the tomb, firmly believing faith is good, but sight is better. Perhaps you’ve pondered the Emmaus Road discourse, or felt the twinge of jealousy as Jesus appeared in the flesh to eat a meal of broiled fish with his disciples. You’ve probably heard a dozen sermons preached about His commissioning words. Maybe, as you’ve read the final verses depicting His ascension into Heaven, your heart has pinched with a sense of loss. You wish you could have been there. Touched His hand. Heard His voice. Felt Him brush your heart. I know. I feel those things too. (Luke 24:5,12, 17-31, 36-52)
This year, however, as I read the final chapter of Luke, I also read Isaiah chapter 40. It’s another favorite for me, though possibly not as familiar to others. The chapter begins with the words, “Comfort, comfort my people,” says the Lord.” And the writer proceeds to do just that. With broad strokes of vibrant verbiage, he paints a picture of our triumphant Lord. The magnificent Creator of the universe. The One whose word endures forever. The sovereign, tireless, omnipotent Lord of all the earth. The Good Shepherd who meticulously tends His flock, protects His lambs, and leads them in green pastures by still waters. The One who gives strength to our exhausted souls, who draws our wandering hearts to Himself, who replaces our fear with His courage. The only wise God who sent His only Son to save His people from their sins. (Isaiah 40; Psalm 23; John 3:16; Matthew 1:21)
Immaculately dovetailing with the accounts described by Luke, the words of Isaiah ring out the promise of a God who sees our despair, our weakness, our weariness, our sin and comes to do something about it. Comes to triumph over it. Comes to die so those dead in trespasses and sins can find abundant, eternal life. But He doesn’t stay dead! Shaking off the burial linens and rubbing the sleep of death from His eyes, Jesus rose and left behind an empty tomb. He ascended to Heaven and took His seat at the right hand of the Father where He prays for us. For me. For you. For our weakness, our weariness, our sin. For the things that trouble and terrorize us. For all that unsettles and destabilizes us. We might not have been there to put our fingers in His wounds, feel His hand brush ours, or sit at His feet while He taught, yet still He is here with us. Always. Our Emmanuel. Our source of comfort. Our fountain of joy. God is with us. (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 41:10, 17; Luke 24; Ephesians 2:1-10; Revelation 1:18; Nehemiah 8:10)
As we turn the calendar page to a new year, I can think of no better news. God is with us. Always. May we rest in that immutable truth. Our God is alive and He is present. Today. Tomorrow. Until the end of the age. May we take comfort in the knowledge. May we find joy in His presence. May we exuberantly share the news in good tidings of immense comfort and fantastic joy! (Psalm 139:7; Psalm 16:11; Matthew 28:20; II Corinthians 1:3-4)
Amen
Well done, Naomi. Tying Luke and Isaiah makes such sense. Remembering that the Scripture read by 1st Century Believers was the Hebrew Bible, our OT, helps us understand how the early Christians could have such incredible faith.
God bless you and you family during this Christmastide. He’s already blessed your readers.