"Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to Thee we raise. Manifested by the star to the sages from afar. Branch of royal David's stem in Thy birth at Bethlehem: Anthems be to Thee addressed, God in man made manifest.
"Manifest in making whole palsied limbs and fainting soul; Manifest in valiant fight, quelling all the devil's might; Manifest in gracious will, ever bringing good from ill; Anthems be to Thee addressed, God in man made manifest."
Some people may wonder what God is like. What does He do? What does He think of us? The answers to those questions are found in the Word of God and in the life and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is God in man made manifest, that is, Jesus is God revealed in human flesh. A star announced the birth of Jesus, true God and true Man, to "sages from afar," wise men who studied the stars. This star announced the birth of a new King in Israel, as the Scriptures had foretold: "A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel" (Numbers 24:17b).
In what other ways was God in man made manifest? God was made known in Jesus through His miracles, as He healed "palsied limbs and fainting soul." God was made manifest in Jesus as the Savior resisted every temptation of the devil in "valiant fight." The self-sacrificing love of God was revealed when Jesus was nailed to a cross, bearing in His own body the sins of the world and suffering the penalty of death for those sins. God, who made Himself known in Christ Jesus, is "ever bringing good from ill." Out of the shame and death of the cross, He brought the eternal good of forgiveness and salvation. The mighty power of God was revealed as Jesus conquered death and rose to life. That is what God can do!
How is God made known in the world today? He reveals Himself in the wonders of His creation and in His Word. God in Christ is made known in Baptism and in the Lord's Supper. He is made "manifest in gracious will" as He forgives our sins. He continues to bring "good from ill" as, according to His purpose, He works through all things for our good. God in Christ is made known in the world through our words of witness as we testify to what Jesus has done for us. God in Christ is made known through our works of love and service. What does God do? What is He like? Will people look at us and see in our lives the answers to those questions? We pray that by the power of the Holy Spirit, they will see Jesus' love for them made manifest in us!
WE PRAY: Lord God, You have made Yourself known in my life through Jesus' saving work. Help me to make Your love known to others. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise," which is number 394 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. What is something you've thanked God for this week?
2. How did God bring something good out of Jesus' death and resurrection?
3. Have you seen the love of Jesus come through someone's life recently? How so?
Today's Bible Readings: Exodus 23-24 Matthew 28
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