Anno Domini: The Year of Our Lord

I have challenged our congregation at Eastern Heights to make 2014 Anno Domini in a more specific way than usual. Let this be the year we really seek to get to know Jesus better than ever before. I didn't spell out a series of steps, or a handful of "keys" to knowing Christ, or anything like that. The specifics are left up to the individual, but I hope we will be sharing our journeys with each other along the way. As part of my quest to get to know Christ better, I'll be working through a harmony of the gospels I found at blueletterbible.org.

Today's Scripture from the Gospels is Luke 1:1-4.

     Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed. [HCSB]

So many others have tried their hand at putting together a story of the wonderful harvest of Scripture and history that took place among us, using reports handed down by the original eyewitnesses who served this Word with their very lives. Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, starting from the story’s beginning, I decided to write it all out for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught. [MSG]

My thoughts:
Jesus Christ is real. This is no fairy story, no child's fable. The events of the Gospels really did happen. God really did become human in order to save us, and to draw us into close relationship with Him. Not only do I want to know Jesus better, but HE wants me to know Him better. In fact, beyond that, He already knows ME! He knows my weakness, my fears, my failures; and because of grace He comes not to condemn me for these things, but to lift me up out of them. He lifts me up, not to put me on a shelf, but to draw me near Him so that I may know Him, and may grow to know Him more fully. The desire to know Him better in 2014 does not come from myself, but from Him who works in us both "to will and to do." And if He desires it, and He has placed this desire in me, will He not satisfy this desire so sweetly and powerfully in this year?