For Unto Us

 

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given.

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

On Christmas, a tiny baby came into the world to change and transform lives. No longer would anyone need to live separated, compartmentalized lives estranged from their Creator and Friend. Jesus would be the mediator of the new covenant between God and humankind. Old Testament style sacrifices on an earthly altar would no longer be needed, as mankind’s sins would be paid for in full, once and for all, by the death of God’s only Son.

People could cease fearing the displeasure of a Holy God when they sin against Him and other human beings. Regardless of how hard we try to be perfect, we all fall short and we all do sin. However, through the sacrifice of Jesus, we may boldly come to the throne of grace. “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4: 14-16, NKJV).

The coming of Jesus on that starlit night as a newborn babe was God’s greatest gift to mankind. He took His Son, a part of Himself, and robed Him in human flesh to walk among us, teach us, love us, and save us so we could be called God's friends. “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15, ESV)

If you want to be God’s friend, allow the Holy Spirit to show you your sin, open your heart to Jesus and be vulnerable. Give up your right to yourself to the One who loved you enough to send His only Son to die for you. Tell God you are sorry for ignoring Him for so long. Repent and accept by faith the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross on your behalf. Then, the true meaning of Christmas will be revealed to your heart, mind and soul to the praise and glory of God.

Merry Christmas!

2020, the year we will all remember.  From a worldwide pandemic to uncontrolled wildfires to a historic election, it pretty much had it all.  So glad the bells will soon be ringing in a bright new year.  One thing this year has given us plenty of, is time for thinking and contemplating.  I think it brought us much closer to the people and things that really matter, forcing us to stop, look and listen in ways we may never have done so before.  As the death toll rises and infection rate soars, we want to shake ourselves awake up from this made-for-science-fiction movie.  But it is real and there are those suffering great loss, both personally and financially.  Many have lost loved ones and many more have been impacted by loss of income, stress, and isolation or even perhaps of too much time together.  Moms and dads were suddenly and involuntarily drafted to become homeschool teachers. Yet they bore up through it all. My hat is off to you all. Another watershed moment was the great awakening, as people began to understand the injustice and inequalities present in our great nation.  This is not something that will be remedied by a single summer of marches, but it is a start, the beginning of conversations and dialogs that can lead to constructive, real change.  Yet, in all these things, it often felt as if the truly big questions were being ignored or perhaps even silenced. I think some were wondering where God was in all of this mess.

He was here with us, loving us unconditionally waiting for us to surrender ourselves and our circumstances to Him.  For some, He is still waiting.  For others, these trying times have deepened and strengthened their relationship with Him, giving them time to get their perspectives in order and recognize the things that are profoundly important. When life itself balances on a razor’s edge and we wonder “Who will die, who will survive, and will I get it or someone close to me?” we are forced to recognize we are not in control of our existence.  We never have been, but in the pre-pandemic bubble of busyness, we could at least run fast enough to ignore it. Perhaps now is the time to stop running, be still, and listen for God’s voice during this Christmas season.  

When Jesus was born in the manger more than 2000 years ago, it was for one purpose, to reconcile humans with their Creator.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, NKJV) Each and every human being born into this world suffers from a spiritual genetic disease called sinfulness, a condition inherited from the beginning of mankind as a result of rebellion against God.  We are all born in need of a Savior, someone who is able to pay the penalty for our sins.  Only Jesus was sinless enough to take upon Himself the sins of the world.  Justice demanded death, but God in His mercy and grace sent His Son to lay aside His robes of glory to come to earth as a little baby to rescue us from death, despair and eternal separation. Those who choose to believe in Jesus by faith will be blessed with a relationship with God now, and throughout eternity.  “For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV)

May you embrace the good news of salvation this Christmas season.