Rejoice in the Good News of Salvation – Family Devotion – December 23, 2020

Read: Isaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7

Rejoice in the Good News of Salvation

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Two and a half years ago, a soccer team and their coach went exploring in a cave. While they were in there, monsoon rains hit and the cave’s entrance flooded. The coach and twelve players, ages 11-16, were trapped two miles deep. With only a rope and flashlight—no extra food or water—they had no hope.

Cave diving experts from around the world flew in to plan the extremely dangerous rescue operation. One rescuer died trying to get to the boys. Eventually, over two weeks later, rescuers made their way to those who were stranded and losing hope. They took these boys one at a time and led them to freedom.

There is nothing in the world like seeing the face (or the feet) of someone who is there to save you.

When Adam and Eve (the first two people God created) disobeyed God, their sin trapped all of us in a cave. There was no way any of us could crawl or swim our way out. Without someone to search for us, we would be forever trapped and die alone.

God knew how desperate we were, so he planned a rescue. The Bible tells us that when the time had fully come, when everything was just right, Jesus left the glory of heaven to come to the darkness of earth. He lived perfectly in our place and then took the punishment we deserved. It cost him his life to rescue us. But he didn’t stay dead. He came back to life! How beautiful are the face and feet of Jesus, our Rescuer!

There is nothing in the world like seeing his face as a baby in a manger. It means Jesus has come to save us. But there still people who don’t know the good news about Jesus’ rescue. This means they are still trapped in the dark and don’t know how to get out.

That’s where God can use your face and feet. Go to them. Tell them that God reigns, that there is hope, that there is a way out, that there is salvation, that there is freedom. Sharing Jesus makes your face and feet beautiful!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for rescuing us when we were trapped in the pit of our sins. May our feet find someone to tell the beautiful news of your rescue for us. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for All Ages

• Hold your breath as long as you can. What did it feel like to finally get air?
• Compare this to being trapped and finally getting freedom.
• Name someone you know who doesn’t know or believe in Jesus’ rescue.
• Discuss how you might invite that person to join you in worship this Christmas.

Hymn: CW 38:1-3 – From Heaven Above to Earth I Come

“From heav’n above to earth I come To bear good news to ev’ry home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring, Whereof I now will say and sing:

“To you this night is born a child Of Mary, chosen virgin mild;
This little child of lowly birth Shall be the joy of all the earth.

“This is the Christ, our God most high, Who hears your sad and bitter cry;
He will himself your Savior be From all your sins to set you free.