Weekly Email: December 29, 2024

Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with your friends and family. I understand that this season can also bring feelings of sadness, stress, and a hectic schedule. Sometimes, a “break” doesn’t feel restful at all. As you return to your studies this week, know that I’m praying for you this week.

Student Tip: Consistency Compounds, Intensity Fades

As the new year approaches and you return from a break, it’s natural to feel excited about setting new goals and making ambitious plans. However, it’s important to remember that consistency is more valuable than intensity. Whether you’re aiming to improve your study habits, read more regularly, or reorganize your schedule, focus on creating sustainable goals. While it’s tempting to start with high intensity, this enthusiasm often fades over time. Begin with small, manageable steps to ensure long-term success.

Program News

Southern Seminary is open again this week, and our support staff are ready to assist you. Whether you need help from the online learning office, academic counselors, library services, or the writing center, we’re here to support you.

Please note that we will be closed on New Year’s Day, January 1.

Faculty Devotional

This week’s faculty devotional is from Dr. Kaspars Ozolins, Assistant Professor of Old Testament Interpretation.

The first verse of the book of Matthew is a masterful and beautiful description of who the Lord Jesus really is: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” The man Jesus is given a title (Christ “anointed one”), and a snapshot of his true lineage: he is the son of David and the son of Abraham.

Furthermore, Matthew’s Greek text is directly modeled on the Greek translation of Genesis 5:1, itself an introduction to another genealogy: “This is the book of the generations of Adam.” In place of Adam, Matthew has substituted Jesus Christ. In so doing, he is indicating that Jesus Christ is the true and ultimate son of God and that he is the second Adam, the fountainhead for a new humanity.

In sum, we see in the very first verse of Matthew that the author is identifying for us who this Jesus is: He is the Son of God and the son of man. He is the second Adam. He is the promised royal descendant of David. He is the seed of Abraham, who was destined to bless all the families of the earth. He is the anointed one in whom are found “all the promises of God” (2 Cor 1:20). May we continually look to him and mediate about these wonderful things in Scripture.

That’s all for this week! Thanks for reading and check in next Monday. You can find an archive of each week’s email here.