The Wonder of Jesus

 

READ Luke 1-4

I’ve read the Bible daily for years, but God always shows me what I’d not noticed before. Today was no exception.

The angel said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (Luke 1:13–17)

Note: Only the Holy Spirit gives power to turn people to God, fathers to their children, rebels to wisdom, and can prepare people to meet Jesus.

“And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” (1:20)

Note: If I don’t believe God will fill and use me, it will affect my ability to tell others about Jesus.

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God . . . . you will . . . bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus . . . . He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” . . . . “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people . . . that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us . . . to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness. (1: 30–33; 68–71; 72–75)

Note: The Jews supposed their Messiah would give them deliverance from enemy oppression. Only a few considered what Zachariah said to John: “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins . . . .” which John did: “He went . . . proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins . . . .” (3:3–6)

The devil said to (Jesus), “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread . . . . To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will . . . . If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here . . . .” (4:3-9)

Note: These lies correspond to false ideas of what Jesus will do for those who submit to Him: such as we will never be without anything, will be able to do all we want, and be protected even in our foolishness.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed . . . .” (4:18)

Note: We resist taking good news to people in poverty, prison, darkness, and oppression, preferring our own social groups — the opposite of why He came.

And in the synagogue, there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God” . . . . And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. (4: 33–34; 41)

Note: Many people, including ‘Christian’ cults and those who attend church have no clue who Jesus really is, but the demons know. Why does sin keep us from realizing His identity but fallen angels are not blind to who Jesus is? Could it be our false expectations? Could it be a fear of His rule being ‘no fun’ or too harsh? Or are millions so busy or too content running their own lives to consider Him?

I know that salvation from sin happens only by God. All of it. Sin separates us from Him. It ruins my fellowship when I rely on my own way. Only God can turn me to Himself. People will say, “I came to Christ” but in reality, no one chooses Him — He chooses us and then enables us to choose Him.

 

Keeping Christ in Christmas

It is early, before church, before the gift-giving and receiving, before the food and laughter with family and friends. This is the best part of every day and particularly Christmas Day — being alone with the Lord, reading His words to me, sensing His presence, talking with Him.

I’m a bit surprised at Spurgeon’s choice for his devotional on this Christmas day. It is a warning, and with very little reflection, I realize that it is appropriate. He begins with this verse from the ancient book of Job.

And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. (Job 1:5)

Spurgeon says, “What the patriarch did early in the morning, after the family festivities, it will be well for the believer to do for himself ere he rests tonight. Amid the cheerfulness of household gatherings it is easy to slide into sinful levities, and to forget our avowed character as Christians.”

Of course this ought not to be so, but he is right in saying that days of feasting are very seldom pure and sanctified enjoyment. They too frequently degenerate into “unhallowed mirth” and thoughtlessness.

Yet Christians can experience a hallowed joy that is pure and without idle words and loose talk. We know a holy gratitude with deep appreciation to God for all that He has done for us. We know the supreme joy that comes as we think about the advent, the incarnation of God into human flesh, the coming of Him who loves us. Yet our celebrations so easily turn from that supreme delight to more worldly “fun” that is unconsciously sullied simply by forgetting Him.

Today, I do not want to put Jesus out of mind nor have Him slip to second place. I do not want to sin by saying foolish things or thinking selfish thoughts. I want to be a blessing to those around me without any carelessness or vanity.

Yet so easily it happens. We play games and laugh. It is easy to be very happy and substitute that delight for the pure joy of being filled with the Holy Spirit. It is so easy to be kind and loving for the reciprocity of it rather than because the Spirit of Jesus in me is truly thinking of others rather than myself.

Some may think this is hair splitting, or not really important, but I know what happens when I am forgetful of my high calling, when I speak idle words or fall into those so-called little sins of ignorance and carelessness. I know that others are blessed in a true, spiritual and eternal sense only by the power of the Holy Spirit. My best is never good enough. Anything I do or say cannot touch souls unless the Spirit is in it.

While at the end of this Christmas day, or any day, I can confess any folly and disobedience and be washed anew by my forgiving God, I would rather not need my conscience purged from dead works.

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Lord, this day is about You. Keep my heart focused. Poke me sharply should I turn from the leading of Your Spirit. Keep me alert that if I sin, I will confess and yield immediately — today because it is Christmas, but all days also. Each one of them belongs to You.

Happy Birthday, Jesus.

Seeing the glory of God

The prophetic events foretold in the Old Testament have been described much like two mountain peaks with a valley of time between them. Those looking at the descriptions can see only the mountain tops, so they assume all these events happen at the same time.

For instance, the coming of the Messiah is often prophesied as if He would save His people and rule the world — in one advent. This is why many of the Jews wanted to make Jesus a king and have Him free them from Roman rule. However, saving came first. The role of king has been reserved for the second mountain peak. Now, we are in that valley of time. Note the words of this prophet . . .

A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:3–5)

These verses are tied to both events, the first and second coming of Jesus Christ. The first sentences are quoted in the Gospels. John the baptizer was the voice who cried to the people to prepare the way of the Lord. He did this prior Jesus’ appearance as a babe.

The last line in this passage from Isaiah is a grand mixture. The first phrase says, “the glory of the LORD shall be revealed.” Compare this to what John wrote about Jesus first coming . . . 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Yet the second part says “all flesh shall see it together.” That did not happen then. In fact, “all flesh” has yet to see the glory of the Lord. This is not going to happen until He comes again, the second mountain peak.

In the valley of time, the glory of the Lord is not seen. For one thing, Satan and sin keeps people in darkness, as Paul wrote, “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

However, a day is coming when Jesus will return, not as a child in a manger, but as a King and a judge of the whole earth. Isaiah said that His glory would be revealed and all would see it. This is confirmed by Jesus Himself.

And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:25–28)

Matthew and Mark add that, “He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:31).

All will see Him and His glory, but not all who see His glory will be included in that gathering. Nevertheless, all will realize who He is and fall on their knees before Him.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11)

Because Jesus humbled Himself and became one of us dying for our sins, at His name, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord, just as Isaiah said.

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Oh Lord, today’s newspaper uses words like “the magic of Christmas” without realizing that what many sense is the presence of Your Holy Spirit. Political correctness tries to remove the Your name from this celebration. Many earnestly believe that the real meaning of Christmas is about gifts and Santa Claus. This is sad.

However, one day everyone will know the truth. You are the One who became flesh and lived among us that all flesh might see You and be glad. You offer redemption and forgiveness of sin. I pray that eyes will be opened to see and accept Your offer now, instead of waiting until You return as Judge when they must reluctantly bow and confess that You are Lord.

As for me, I don’t want my worship to be “one day” but fully today — and every day. Grant me grace also to proclaim Your glory, telling others that the manger child is God with us — that they may see and hear and know and glorify You.
(Photo credit)

Christmas celebrations

Some people are so opposed to the idea of Christmas that they reject all of the current celebrations. I have a relative who belongs to a cult. He says that the Bible does not command the celebration of the birth of Christ so they do not. He taught his children to reject all of it, even to the point that one of them told my mother that Christmas lights were totally disgusting.

This is not a new thing nor is it restricted to cults. In early America, the Puritans rejected Christmas celebrations too. They deliberately worked on December 25 to show their attitude toward Christmas.

English law also reflects this Puritan influence for in 1644 a law was passed to make December 25 an official working day. For a while, it was literally illegal to cook plum pudding or mince pie during the Christmas season.

These days, some Christians have two celebrations; one day for gift-giving and turkey dinner, and another day to rejoice that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us.

God’s Word does not mention Christmas. It does talk about how believers might have differences of opinion about the importance of some days over others. 

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)

The point is not whether Christmas is the Lord’s actual birthday or not (it likely is not), or whether we should celebrate His birth or not (I am so glad He came), but that we do everything in His name, filled with His Spirit, and because we love Him.

My family traditions concerning Christmas were secular. Each family had their own gift Christmas morning. None of us had a lot of money, but my parents always managed something for the four of us. Then my grandmother or one of the aunts hosted the families for dinner. This was no small celebration. My father was one of six, and with all those couples and kids, more than 25 people sat down for turkey. After dinner, the men played poker, the women played another card game, and the children played with one another. I remember lots of laughter and lots of food.

Now some of those cousins are Christians. These believers continue to have children and grandchildren over for dinner, and still exchange gifts. For us, Christmas Eve is the celebration about Jesus. Our church has a candles and carols service that has become a time of worship and rejoicing. Jesus came to earth, became a man, and then died on the Cross for our sin. We have a Savior and Redeemer who choose to first become a baby in a manger. Wow, that is wonderful! This is a special event in our lives.

The next day, our family reads the Christmas story from the Bible and we pray as usual before our meal. We eat too much, play games and laugh until our stomachs hurt. All day I have one ear on the carols playing in the background and my heart is singing because Jesus came.

From this passage today, I’m glad that God says there are no rules about celebrating Christmas day or celebrating Jesus any day. We do it because He loves us, and because that is so, we can love Him and each other with great joy, not just December 25 but all the time.

Mary’s Hope

Christmas is ten days away. For many, this is a hectic time of preparation, buying gifts, baking, and decorating. For others, it is a sad time, a reminder of losses and loneliness.

As I grew up, our family celebrated a secular Christmas. It was much simpler than the secular Christmas observed today. However, we did know this marked the birth of Jesus Christ. I didn’t know the importance of that event until I was well into my thirties and had become a Christian.

Today’s devotional talks about Mary and says, “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45). Mary was told she would have a child even though she was a virgin. This child would be a miracle from God.

As amazing as that is, the virgin birth is not the greatest miracle in the story of Christmas. The most astonishing thing is the identity of that child. This was no ordinary baby. God’s angel said that He was to be called Emmanuel, which means “God with us.”

Every day I am astonished by this reality; God became a man! If I were God, would I choose to be born as a helpless baby? Would I pick two people to parent me that were not yet married to each other? Would I select a dirty stable as my birthing place? If I were God, would I come here at all?

I can scarce imagine the sensations that assaulted Him that hour of His birth. The smell would be most foreign. The One who is Light and sees all was born in the dark. The One who is Almighty and spoke the worlds into existence could not walk or talk. The One who was rich beyond compare became poor for our sakes.

Before it happened, the angel told Mary that she would conceive in her womb and bring forth a Son and call His name Jesus. The angel said that He would be great, and would be called the Son of the Highest. The Lord God would give Him the throne of His father David and He would reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom would have no end. (Luke 1:31-33)

Mary was amazed and accepted her role in this astonishing event. As I read this today, I could see how God helped her by giving her an understanding of the ultimate goal. Had she focused on the days ahead, what might have happened? She had to explain to Joseph that she was pregnant and he was not the father. She had to endure the skeptics in her family. She had to travel a long way on a donkey during the last trimester. She would birth in a barn. She must endure the perplexities of raising a perfect child. (Think about that for a minute! What would the neighbors think?) Then she must watch that child become a man who could do miracles and raise the dead. Then she must watch Him arrested and crucified.

God didn’t tell her about all those things. He told her the end result; this was Emmanuel, and His kingdom would have no end.

As a mother who prays for her children, who sees them stray from God and who wonders about their choices, I am astonished at Mary. Did she lose focus as she watched her Son arrested? Did she lose hope when she saw Him die? I would have. I know that because I lose focus and get discouraged and forget the promises of God for me and for my children.

I’m not one to worship Mary. She was a good Jewish girl given a huge task by Almighty God and it was God who enabled her to do it. Yet she was humble and she believed God. She said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

Mary gives me an example today. She accepted the will of God for her life and did not let the visible but temporary negatives destroy her hope in His ultimate goal. She clung to His promises for herself and for her child — and she was blessed because she “believed that there would be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

Christmas is more than December 25th

On Christmas Eve, our church has an hour of carol singing in candlelight. While it could easily be routine (we know the words of all the songs) or just a time to see friends and church family (many are home for the holidays), last night was magical. My heart was filled with awe that God became a man, a baby even, and lived among us.

Later, we watched “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” on television. The lion, a symbol of Jesus Christ, is compelling. I wanted to draw near, bury my face in the fur of his mane. Yet when he roared, I thought of the power of the One whom the lion represents.

How does this awe happen at my age with so many December 25's past? Is it because I know the Christmas story so well that the symbols and music of Christmas still deeply touch my heart? God still amazes me and today, this day when we celebrate the incarnation of God in human flesh, I read these words:

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)

The author uses the word mystery in the sense that the truth hinted at in the Old Testament was revealed in the New Testament. Throughout Scripture, even since the promise of God in the Garden of Eden, a Savior was predicted and promised. While His people didn’t fully understand how this would happen, God wanted them to simply believe. By trusting in Him as to what lie ahead, they were counted righteous. Oh, this is a mystery.

Now God asks us to trust in Him as to what happened two thousand years ago. He came to earth and put on humanity. He was sinless, perfectly just. The angels, even those who fell with Satan, saw Him. He died for our sin and rose again, and then was preached to the nations, and believed on by millions. Jesus died, rose, and ascended to heaven where He sits on the right hand of the Father. This is the mystery revealed.

This is also the Christmas story. It is more than the birth of this Baby who became the most remarkable man who ever lived. The story is also the entire life of this One who is the Savior of the world, King of kings, and Lord of lords. And this story still puts awe in my heart and praise on my lips.

Jesus, I am so glad that You came, so glad that You gave Your life for me, and so glad that You will return and take me to be with You forever. You are the blessed revelation of God, the glory that fills my heart with gladness. Thank You for giving me the greatest gift of all, Yourself.

And to everyone, may You bless each one with deeper insight into this mystery, and a very joyful Christmas.

God’s calendar

During our church “candles and carols” celebration last night, the pastor said, “This is a holy night because God put this date on His calendar a very long time ago.”

We know that Jesus may not have been born on a December night. It really doesn’t matter what day it was. What matters is the wonderful plan and purpose of God in bringing His Son into the world. Peter wrote about it like this: “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

I am in awe that the birth of the Christ child was in the mind of God before He made the world and all that is in it. He knew long before He made us that we would need Him. He planned the perfect solution that we might put our faith in Him and have eternal life.

Our sin and need for Him were not a surprise. In fact, Ephesians 1:4 says, “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him.”

God not only planned Christ’s coming, but also planned the solution for sin—that I be His child, that I be holy and blameless before Him. As we give and receive gifts today, He reminds me that He gave this most incredible of all gifts.

To all who receive Him, to all who give back to Him their lives, may your Christmas be filled with awe over His great love and mercy. May you rejoice that long before He did anything else, Almighty God put Jesus birth—and our new birth—on His calendar.

Merry Christmas!