Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. Unedited. The prompt this week is … Behold.
Behold … to observe; to take notice.
It seems to be a word we take note of more during this time of year, when our focus turns to Christmas.
Having been reading in Luke since the start of Advent, the word quickly comes back to mind:
The angel speaks to Zechariah, saying: “And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time” (Luke 1:20, NASB).
To Mary, the angel says: “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus” (Luke 1:31, NASB).
Again to Mary, he says: “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month” (Luke 1:36, NASB).
Mary responds to the angel: “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38, NASB).
Upon her arrival at the home of her cousin, Elizabeth says to Mary, “For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy” (Luke 1:44, NASB).
As the shepherds were tending their sheep, the angels says,“Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10, NASB).
During the season of Advent, we take time to still our hearts and minds, thinking about the birth of our Savior. We recognize He came into the world during a dark time and we remember, He will come again to our dark world.
We remember how He took on humanity, He lived and died among us, so we could live forgiven and freed; redeemed and restored.
“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
(John 1:29, NASB)
May we lift our eyes and behold Him –
Christ, our Savior.
Photo by Ray Hennessy on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
Thank you! â¤ï¸
We went down the same path! I am forever beholding!
We did – I just read your post 🙂 May we behold Him anew is my prayer!
Kind of hard to look sometimes
in the bathroom mirror,
for I see my many crimes
arrayed, and so much clearer
as understanding grows within
of just how much is owed
for my freedom from the sin
by which my back was bowed.
And then there appears a Hand
resting on my shoulder,
and a Voice, “Son, what I planned
is placed in your file folder,
a pardon with no need for trial,
so raise your head, My boy, and smile!’
Amen, Andrew! He will not review our folders! How amazing is His grace towards each of us.
This song is a wonderful way to start today. Thanks, Joanne, for lending us this melody
BEAUTIFUL!!! May we indeed behold Him as He is, was, and will ever be!
Was, is, and ever will be! Such promise!
May we bring as many to behold Him in the clouds as the church waits for the rapture.
Amen to that.
I’ve been reading Luke in this Advent season, too. The story is amazing in so many ways, but our God is amazing, too. Merry Christmas!
This brings us hope, Joanne, “We recognize He came into the world during a dark time and we remember, He will come again to our dark world.”
Lisa, I have been so struck with the darkness that was on the land at the time surrounding the birth of Jesus. It has given me such hope for these days we are living now. He will come and bring His Light!
Joanne, I love sitting with the word, “behold”, it speaks so much! It begs us stop a moment and see what God has for us! YES! I want to do that during this season that can be filled with so much hurry. Thank you friend for your encouraging words today!
Jo,
I love all your blogs and teachings. But this one blessed me so much.
I learned from John McArthur that when you see the word “behold” it is emphatic. A huge Behold o much more than look. So God wants us to do that – really pay attention. When we see it in the Word we stop and take a longer look.
Some took the “behold” seriously and beheld the Lord and listened intently and others wouldn’t behold and listen intently and believe.
Thank you for the beautiful music.
Love
Mare
Mare, the word ‘behold’ is used emphatically in Scripture, and this word prompt reminded me of that. May we behold Him this Christmas – intentionally, with our full attention, and with hearts of worship. xo
“Behold”. A word with special and profound meaning when we are thinking of Christ. Thank you for this message. 🙂
Beautiful song.
Thanks for sharing.