Listen

God gave his grace to me, the least of all God’s people, to preach the good news about the immeasurable riches of Christ to the Gentiles. God sent me to reveal the secret plan that had been hidden since the beginning of time by God, who created everything. God’s purpose is now to show the rulers and powers in the heavens the many different varieties of his wisdom through the church. This was consistent with the plan he had from the beginning of time that he accomplished through Christ Jesus our Lord. In Christ we have bold and confident access to God through faith in him.

Ephesians 3:8-12

Think

As we journey through this season of Epiphany, we are reminded that Christ came to us by the grace of God. But what does that word “grace” mean? To me, grace means a gift given with no strings attached, given from pure, unconditional love. Nothing expected in return. And once it is given, it cannot be rejected or returned. That’s the kind of gift Jesus was to us.

The theologian Johnny Hill explains grace this way: “Grace is not a privilege extended to some. Neither is grace a resource that can be sold, exchanged, borrowed, traded, or earned as a commodity of sorts. It is freely given and derives from God’s abundant love. The grace that comes from God … through Christ, must be cared for and cherished, not abused” (in Feasting on the Word, 2010).

We care for and cherish grace not because we have to, but because we want to. May you find ways to embrace, care for, and cherish God’s grace given to us in Christ Jesus!

Jeremy Wilhelmi

Pray

God of Grace, for all the gifts you freely give to me and to all your people, thank you! Guide me to find ways to share gifts of grace with others. Amen.

Go

O star of wonder, star of night, / Star with royal beauty bright. / Westward leading, still proceeding, / Guide us to thy perfect light.

from “We Three Kings” by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (1857)