The Mystery and Marvel of Jesus Christ

Hello Friends!

Merry Christmas!

Question: Have you noticed that the world’s rendition of “Christmas” with such characters as Santa Clause, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer & Frosty the Snow Man often do nothing but distract us from the real Reason for this blessed season? In speaking with many of you over the course of the past few weeks and months, the answer to that question is quite obvious…

Although it is not my intention here to make a proclamation of “Hum Bug!” in the shrewd fashion of ole’ Mr. Scrooge, I would like to share a reminder of some very important – and often overlooked – historical facts pertaining to the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

With that said, let’s take a brief look at what His “reasons for this season” truly are… from a Biblical worldview – Enjoy!

The Mystery and Marvel of Jesus Christ

Obviously the Bible does not refer to “Santa Clause” or any of the trappings of today’s “commercial” Christmas celebrations.

However, this very special season does indeed remind the true Christian that Jesus Christ's First Coming – His Incarnation – was intended for a very specific purpose:

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins – Matthew 1:21

Therefore, the Scripture is very clear: Jesus Christ came to earth for one expressed purpose: to “save His people from their sins” – we must not forget this primary focus of the Gospel!

And while it is highly doubtful that Jesus Christ was born in December, the Incarnation is a foundational doctrine of truth that is at the center of the Christian faith. Jesus Christ is the only Begotten God-man – fully God and fully man. In theological terms He is Theanthropos – one Person with two natures. Also known as the Hypostatic Union.

Another very important aspect to remember is that when Jesus Christ became man, He was on a special assignment from the Heavenly Father. His work? The “shedding of [His] blood” for the redemption of lost sinners:

And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission – Hebrews 9:22

Also, by becoming man He could act as a human priest. And because Jesus Christ is God, His perfect “priesthood” is an “everlasting” one after the “order of Melchizedek”:

And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. For He testifies: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek” – Hebrews 7:15-17

Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them – Hebrews 7:23-25

Therefore, there is no need for any more priests today! Why? Because the “many priests” were “were prevented by death from continuing” but “He continues forever” and His is an “an unchangeable priesthood.” And only those “who come to God through Him” will be saved “to the uttermost” and He “always lives to make intercession for them“ – Halleluiah!

The Biblical message of the manger is that God’s love through Jesus Christ alone is the power-filled love that breaks the shackles of “sin” and “death” promising “eternal life” in Him. We have a “know-so” salvation, not a “hope-so” salvation. Why? Because the baby in the manger is both God and man – Thank You Jesus!

In closing:

IMPORTANT: Santa Clause is WRONGLY given all of the attributes that alone belong to Jesus Christ – Omniscience, Omnipresence, Omnipotence, Omni Benevolence and Eternality. Therefore, the false character of Santa Clause should offend us as Christians. Why? Because of who he is personified to be throughout the secular worldviews, philosophies and ideas “wrapped up” within the seductive “Christmas” holiday splendor.

So, with these thoughts in mind, here’s a final question to ponder…

Are you offended or is your conscience violated by this “commercial” approach to Christmas – Theologically and Doctrinally speaking? If so, that is fine. If not, that is fine too! In fact, the Apostle Paul speaks directly to this very issue:

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks – Romans 14:5-6

Either way – “Let each be fully convinced in his own mind” as to avoid any form of legalism in our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. The point here is that we must not violate our conscience...

Christmas is indeed a great day of fellowship, joy, giving and as the Lord leads – the sharing of the Gospel with a lost friend or loved one in need of a Savior. And we look to the events of that special day – 2,000 years ago – in the Scriptures, allowing us to receive the insight of God's Word into our hearts and minds to the glory of God – Praise His Holy Name!

The miraculous first coming of Jesus Christ sets the stage for His awesome second coming! Therefore we can rest assured that He will keep His promise to return…

Praise the Lord!

May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with His perfect love, mercy and grace!

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

 

Blessings!

Shane <><

3:16 Promises

Genesis 3:16a

To the woman he said,

“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;
    with painful labor you will give birth to children.”

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I received an email from Laurel this morning, asking that I start subbing for her as she has now been admitted to the hospital to give birth to her daughter.  This brought to mind the promise that God gave to Eve, that childbirth would be painful.  This was a result from sin. 

God also gave us another promise that resulted from sin and is also found at 3:16 in the Bible.  In the book of John, he delivered on his promise and sent his son, along with the promise that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

Remember to take time this next week to celebrate the true reason for the season, the birth of Jesus Christ.

Also, please keep Laurel in your prayers today.

Angel Quiz (Part II)

Answers to last week’s Angel Quiz:

1. How many people were visited by an angel leading up to Jesus' birth?   3

2. Who were each of the individuals? Joseph (Matthew 1:20-25) Zechariah the priest (Luke 1:8-20) Mary (Luke 1:26-38)

3. How many of the angels are named?  1

4. What are their names? Gabriel (Luke 1:19 & 26-27)

5. How many times is it recorded that an angel appeared to Joseph before and after Jesus’ birth? 3-4 (Matthew1:20-24, 2:13-15, 2:19-20, 2:22-23)

After Jesus’ birth, who else was visited by an angel? Yes, the shepherds.

Luke 2:8-20   ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The shepherds didn’t get to quit their job, get a new job, retire early, or change their immediate circumstances in any way. However, they rejoiced in who God is and what He had done! They also spread the excitement of this truth to others!   

Have you and I responded like the shepherds? As we get to know God and His Word, do we spread the Word to others? Even when our own circumstances don’t change, do you and I glorify and praise God for all He has done, just as He promised? That’s real joy.

Alice

Being Needy

But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great!”

But as for me, I am poor and needy;
    may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    you are my God, do not delay.  Psalm 40:16-17

We all have needs.  At Christmas time, my daughter has numerous things that she wants for Christmas like dolls, a tablet, and a bike.  As a parent, I must be wise to remember that while those are things she would love to have, she has needs like a winter coat, new boots, and books that will teach her what she needs to know.  We all have our responsibility to focus on those things that we need and not be indulgent as to what we want.  The problem is discerning what exactly that we truly need.

As my wife and I prayed last night, my focus went to my dependence on God.  He has given me so much, but yet, I found myself humbly needing more.  Not more things. Rather, a greater depth and understanding of His purpose for my life.

A true relationship with Christ should find us needing more of Him each day.  Our daily lives are filled with demands on our time from work, family, and other duties.  Too often these become our priorities.  This is not to say these things are to be left idle or diminished.  However, we should realize all that we have is given to us by God.  Each of our responsibilities are blessing from a God whose wisdom is beyond understanding, love is without limits,, and mercy is overwhelming.  Those are the things we need, and in the 40^th Psalm, David clearly understand this.

Without God, we have very little in life worthwhile.  One of my favorite hymns when I was a child says, “I need Thee, oh, I need thee.  Every hour I need thee.”  The song speaks of a relationship so powerful and intimate that one cannot imagine living without it.  That is what a healthy growing relationship with God emulates.  Is your relationship with God a wanted one or needed one?  What priorities in your life need rearranging to create a closer relationship with God?  My prayer is that in our relationship with God, we are intentionally needy.  Amen. 

Tues Devo: Christmas love?

1 John 4:7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (NASB)

Hello,

As we are in full swing of the Christmas season, I can’t help but notice the distraction. Everywhere I look instead of the message of God’s love at this time, I hear claims about the hatred of Christians. I see claims that those who follow Jesus are discriminating, narrow minded, not relevant. While these claims always bother me, this time of year it seems to be especially irritating. But how are we respond? How can we yell louder and better than the others?

We do it by following the example God gave us through Jesus. We act. God showed His love not just by claiming it loudly – but by putting motion behind His words through sending His Son to this earth  - not just to tell us things, but to show us such great love He knew Jesus’ death would be required.

How do we follow this example? We show love – and what better time of year? We need to do this in real and personable ways – not in mass scream to those who can hear it but cannot experience it.

As you show love in this way, when the detracting message reaches the ears of those who you have showed love to they will stop on wonder why they didn’t think that way about you – and prayerfully will come and start asking you questions. It is the direct 1-1 communication that provides the best opportunity to share who Jesus is and His loving offer – free of the distractions of hate placed in the world by the enemy.

Some things to think about:

How can you show God’s love if you never interact with unbelievers? (You can’t…don’t be a hermit, share with those around you!)

How can you show love if you are always focused on yourself? (You can’t…..let God handle your needs, seek out how you can serve Him by loving others)

How can you show God’s love if you never speak to Him or read His Word? (You can’t…..make the time!...you already make time for everything else)

Have a blessed day as you share God’s love!

Will Hill