12/24/2024

Read: 2 Timothy 4:8 - “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all those who have loved His appearing.”

Reflect: I believe we, the people of God, have certainly learned to love His appearing. We love it enough that we have dedicated a holiday and an entire season to celebrating the coming of our Lord. But we also live in the tension of the already-not-yet. We are situated between the first and second appearances of the Lord Jesus. We love the fact that He has come for us, but do we equally love the fact that He is going to return? The birth of Jesus is only the first phase of a much larger plan; God has even greater things in store for His people. One day, He will appear again, looking for those who have loved Him, followed Him, sacrificed for Him, and ultimately placed their faith in Him. And on those people, He will bestow the crown of righteousness, a glorious display that will lead all of Heaven to glorify Him even more! As God has loved us by sending His Son for us, let us return our love to Him. Let us love not just the First Coming, but also the Second. We joyously and rightly celebrate the birth of Jesus, but we must hold that in tension with the yearning for His return. 

Respond: As you celebrate and praise the Lord for His appearing, praise Him that He is coming back for you! Ask the Lord to help you remain faithful to the last day, help you love others as He has loved you, and help you hold on to His future promises. Think of all that awaits on the final Day when you’ll be crowned with righteousness, what that will be like. Ask for His help in accomplishing all that He has laid out for you before that Day comes.