Getting Job-ed
What is the chief end of man?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.
-Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 1, 1647
Most advent studies end on December 24th, but I wanted us to even do one for Christmas day because now I want us to be looking beyond Christmas: to the rest of the year and then into eternity.
All of Scripture is pointing to Christ. The center of history is Jesus coming to earth and dying for His people. Why did He do this? For us to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever (Romans 3:21-26, Revelations 21-22). This is why Jesus came. This is the point of Christmas; this is the point of everything. This means us being completely satisfied by the only Being that can truly satisfy us completely. And not just for a mere experience but for the rest of eternity!
The Shema
God commands our affections for Him:
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates…” Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV
But how can God command emotions? Why would God command our emotions? Because they are the absolute best for us. We tend to think that we’re giving up the good life to pursue God when actually you’re pursuing the essence of true life:
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 ESV
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 ESV
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 ESV
These verses are very important verses and ones to commit to memory. By following Jesus and banking your life on Him you’re not giving up more for Him: you’re exchanging what is worthless for what is infinitely valuable!
Conclusion to Advent
Find life and pursue it endlessly. True Life came to us 2,000 years ago. Jesus is that life. He came to reconcile rebellious creatures to their infinitely holy Creator. Jesus is worthy of our love and affection forever. Being with Christ forever will fulfill all of our desires that we try to fill with everything else. He is worthy… I pray that you can find that this Christmas and for the rest of your life. Pursue it at all costs, He is worth it.
-Austin
