This week’s daily readings:

This week’s devotional:

Step Back and BEHOLD!

by Rt. Rev. Brian Bethke

Scripture:

“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen.
He is my chosen one, who pleases me.
I have put my Spirit upon him.
He will bring justice to the nations.

— Isaiah 42:1 (NLT)

Reflection:

Since 2009, I have overseen cooking our Thanksgiving turkey. I love this responsibility! It gives me a chance to focus on the details, enjoy simple things, and slow down. I really get “nerdy” with it! It gives me space to BEHOLD.

The process starts by cooking an apple/orange brine on the Monday before Thanksgiving. This brine has numerous spices and herbs that must be precisely balanced to ensure a delicious taste. On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I pick out my wood chips. I smoke my turkey and, to do so, I carefully create a blend of apple and cherry wood chips soaked in apple cider procured from a local farm.

On Wednesday, I take my turkey out of the brine, dry it off, and let it rest for at least 24 hours. On Thanksgiving morning, I wake up at 5 AM, start the smoker, and make a perfect dry rub with a smoked paprika base. I then place the turkey in the smoker, constantly monitoring the internal temperature so that I can take it out at exactly the right time for maximum taste. As I wait and monitor the turkey, I start a fire in my fire pit, bundle up, and just BEHOLD the fall beauty that I so often overlook.

During this 6-8-hour process, family members make excursions outside to chat with me until the cold weather gets the best of them. These moments with different members of my family are precious! In these moments, we get to BEHOLD the gift of one another that we often take for granted.

After the turkey is done, it is rested for 30 minutes. The anticipation is amazing! Finally, after we pray, the turkey is carved and served. Once everyone is served, I secretly step away and just BEHOLD my family enjoying the food and one another (this is my favorite part!!). The process of BEHOLDING every step of the way fills me with the joy of the Lord in ways I can’t explain. It is transformational.

In chapter 42 of Isaiah, we get a glimpse of God’s Messiah—Christ—that would change everything! In verse 1 we read, “Look at (or BEHOLD) my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him...“

What does this mean? It means that, in order to experience change, we must first see or BEHOLD the one the Father upholds: Jesus Christ. We need to BEHOLD him individually and together. BEHOLDING reminds us that we must first BE with Christ before we can DO for the glory of Christ. Your ability to live well is directly related to BEHOLDING and BEING. As I write this, I realize that I need to be intentional about slowing down and BEHOLDING. Maybe we can try this together?

As you spend time this week on your frontline, step back and BEHOLD what God is doing. As you spend time with your family and friends, step back and BEHOLD the gifts before you. This week, try and slow it down a bit and just BEHOLD. As you BEHOLD, remember that the one the Father upholds (and the one that you BEHOLD—Christ) is holding you now and forevermore.

Prayer:

Open our eyes, dear God, and allow us to BEHOLD Jesus Christ, your Messiah! Only in stepping back and taking a good, hard look can we truly appreciate what you have given us. Let us look upon those we love and feel their joy. Show us how your chosen one has pleased you, and then—through your Spirit—help us to be more like him. Change us and strengthen us so that we may work for your glory and be joyful simply BEING in Christ’s presence and then sharing that experience with all those around us. We pray this in his holy name. Amen

Week 50: December 7-13, 2025 -Step Back and BEHOLD!

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