Little could those shepherds abiding in the field have imagined that they would see Jesus, let alone be the first to witness God’s promise fulfilled. Like a pre-Christendom world, the world before Jesus’ death and resurrection, many have heard about Jesus, but perhaps don’t really know Jesus. A recent poll showed that over 53% of Americans have little Bible knowledge. When Jesus is seen in our lives, (homes, church, community, world) it makes an impact on others. In this season of Advent, as we once again anticipate the Word becoming flesh so He is seen among us, what insight and encouragement can we give to let Jesus be seen in our words and actions? That’s the challenge for us as we work together to proclaim the Gospel.

May these Advent Devotions be a blessing to you.
Let Jesus Be Seen


1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
 
Good News from the passage above!  A great cloud of faithful witnesses is cheering for you to see Jesus today - and to let Him be seen! Now, I’m sure we’d like this passage to go straight from the good witnesses to fixing our eyes on Jesus, but this passage first has us deal with sin. Isn’t that just like God’s Word, especially in Advent? This passage exhorts us to address those sins that keep tripping us up, weighing us down, and getting in the way of Jesus being seen. 
 
Earlier Hebrew passages speak of confessing our sins and receiving forgiveness, but this passage says to throw those sins out and leave them behind. It’s true. While we run our race, we often try to hold on to certain sins, allowing them to be a part of our lives and consequently bearing their weight and pain.  These words of exhortation say, “Don’t do that anymore!”  
 
A young man came to a pastor’s office for help in dealing with a certain sin. The pastor said, “Why don’t you just stop?! You have the Lord’s grace and you have His help. Commit yourself that this sin cannot be part of your life anymore and stop doing it.” The young man said, “You know, no one ever put it to me quite like that.”  
 
In this season of Advent when we are reminded that our Lord could come at any time, why hold on to any foul language, degrading talk, pornography, unhealthy habits, old grudges that seek revenge or any tangled webs? Why not just stop and throw it away? Then, after getting rid of it, don’t think about it anymore. Instead, fix your eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of your faith. He’s the One who begins your faith and He finishes it. He gets projects started with you and He always follows through, even as He’s doing right now. It’s all about Him anyhow and it’s for Him and by Him.  Even more, He has a huge crowd of witnesses cheering you on. So see Jesus today and let Him be seen!        

 
Rev. Charles Reich, Pastor
Grace Lutheran Church and School, Winter Haven, FL