Today’s Reading: Ezra 1-2: John 21
Advent is here! I am so excited to start the season of advent. At the beginning of last week I was a little bit sad and down, but with the change into December and the change in the temperature I’m getting excited about Advent and Christmas.
I’ve got lights hung up outside. The front yard and the backyard are illuminated for the early evenings. I got the tree up with lights and the house is warm with the smell of coziness. Jillian has set up the house with the beautiful decorations. We have started setting up the calendar for the world wind of weeks that we will have coming up soon. But we are excited about the coming together of family and friends and Christ.
In these two passages, we are gathering people. In Ezra chapter 1 and 2, King Cyrus is actually bringing the entire nation of Judah and Israel together to rebuild the nation and the Temple. This is the Exodus from Babylon. This is a celebration that was foretold several centuries before . In some of the previous blogs we have mentioned about the protection and provision that God has for us in Babylon. After we come out of Babylon, God has something amazing for us.
“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia—this fulfilled the Message of God preached by Jeremiah—God prodded Cyrus king of Persia to make an official announcement throughout his kingdom. He wrote it out as follows: From Cyrus king of Persia, a Proclamation: God, the God of the heavens, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has also assigned me to build him a Temple of worship in Jerusalem, Judah. Who among you belongs to his people? God be with you! Go to Jerusalem which is in Judah and build The Temple of God, the God of Israel, Jerusalem’s God. Those who stay behind, wherever they happen to live, will support them with silver, gold, tools, and pack animals, along with Freewill-Offerings for The Temple of God in Jerusalem.”
In the 21st chapter of John, Christ is meeting the disciples for the last time. Christ is making breakfast. Can’t you imagine that you have just finished up a long shift at work and you are tired. You come home and when you walk in, your special person is making your favorite breakfast. Jesus is bringing the disciples together for a final meal. This is the last breakfast. In Advent, Jesus is bringing us together to celebrate each other. Isn’t that what Advent for? Bringing people together and restarting relationships.
“Jesus said, “Breakfast is ready.” Not one of the disciples dared ask, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Master.”
King Cyrus brought together 42,360 people together. Jesus brought together 7 people together for breakfast. How many people will you bring together this season? You can call someone or a group to share coffee or stories. You can bring a drink or treat to your friend. You can pay ahead for the person behind you in line. Just start the process of opening up the season of togetherness.
Be blessed