Advent 2021
Certainty Amidst Uncertainty
December 19, 2021 • Eric McPherson • Luke 1—2
This week, we will be looking at the birth of Christ from the opening 2 chapters of Luke’s gospel. In what serves as the prologue of the book, Luke tells his motivation for writing this gospel, so that his recipient, a man named Theophilus, can have “certainty” (Luke 1:4) about the things concerning Jesus. It is this idea of having certainty amidst uncertainty that shapes Luke’s account of Christ’s birth. In his well-researched version of the incarnation, Luke does something that is distinct among the gospel writers: he intentionally interweaves the narratives of the birth of Jesus and John the Baptizer. In framing it this way, not only does he provide greater detail to such a familiar story, Luke also projects his authorial focus onto other figures of the Christmas story, using their lives to paint the picture of certainty and uncertainty. Ultimately, leading each of his readers to answer the one big question being asked of them: What will you do with your uncertainty? This will be a great text to find peace for our souls that battle with uncertainties, and hope in a God who does not discard us in our uncertainty.
God With Us
December 12, 2021 • Eric McPherson • Matthew 1:18–23
Throughout the remaining weeks of December, we’ll be pausing our study in John’s gospel to celebrate the Advent of Christ. Advent allows us to cultivate space in our lives for joyful remembrance and anticipation of Jesus Christ together. We remember His first coming in the incarnation, and we anticipate His second coming to establish His kingdom. This week, we will be in Matthew 1:18-23, taking a look at the well-known Christmas story but focusing our attention entirely on the descriptive name given to Christ, “Immanuel” which means, “God With Us”. In our study of this name we’ll explore four things: God meets our greatest needs in the person of Jesus. God is the initiator of this great action. The word “with” is crucial in conveying how God intends to relate to us. And lastly, there are excellent implications that Jesus’ “withness” carries for every one of our lives.