Christmas

The Word of Life Manifested

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life – the life was manifested, and we have seen, …” 1 John 1:1

There is most assuredly a “WOW” factor in John’s heart as he wrote these words. This is another way of expressing one of the names given to Jesus, Emmanuel which means God with us. It is hard to imagine that anyone could describe God’s presence in the person of Jesus Christ any better than John has.

John was able to hear all that Jesus spoke and taught, observe Jesus with his eyes, study Him with his mind and touch Him with his hands. He was even able to lean against Jesus at Passover. Who did John know Jesus was? He was absolutely convinced that Jesus is God co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. That is the testimony of this letter of his.

Since Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden no one had the opportunity to have this kind of intimacy with the Creator. This was especially so for Peter James and John. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God had spoken to men in various ways through history but that the appearing of Jesus was unique beyond any comparison (1:1-4). The writer expresses the essence of Jesus coming into the world in verse 3, “who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

The baby in a manger that we so readily picture at Christmas is God incarnate, the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists, and it all exists for Him. We exist for Him! Jesus may have appeared a helpless baby but He was anything but helpless. It was mankind that was helpless, helpless to deliver itself from sin and death but Jesus has made it possible for any person to be delivered. Millions have discovered this and every day Jesus continues to build His church with those who discover the same reality. Peter calls believers “living stones” being built into a “spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).

Fortunately for us the disciples were just ordinary men as we are today and that meant that questions were raised in their minds when they didn’t understand something. When they asked those questions Jesus answered them which is also to our gain. Thank God they were not so proud that they did not ask but rather humbled themselves before God and asked.

When Philip asked Jesus, “Show us the Father” (John 14:8), Jesus made it quite clear to him and all the disciples that He was claiming that He and the Father are one. That is, they are indistinguishable one from the other and inseparable (v 9).

As we spend time in reflection on who Jesus is this Christmas may it lift our hearts in praise and worship now and in holy submission for the years ahead while He tarries.

No Neutral Position

“His name will be called … Prince of Peace …” Isaiah 9:6

Among the many names given to this Child in Isaiah 9 is “Prince of Peace.” The other names identify this Child as both deity and man. At this time of year many cards, placards and signs include the word “peace” but without the Prince of Peace there can be no peace with God or among people.

In spite of decades of searching for world peace we are arguably further from it than ever before. Man’s inhumanity toward man takes on many guises and his ingenuity seems to know no bounds when it comes to harming others. Greed, selfishness, hatred and indifference (all elements of pride) ensure that there will never be peace on earth until the Prince of Peace reigns in the hearts of people and in the world in His kingdom as He has promised He will do.

Isaiah records the words of God who said, “There is no peace for the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22; 57:21). Of course he is speaking primarily of peace with God but without peace with God there can never be peace among men and we should not expect it. Leaders in the world espouse peace without God but their efforts are futile even if genuine.

There is no neutral position in a person’s relationship with God. Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against Me” (Matthew 12:30). If we are not at peace with God then we are hostile toward Him. The claim that many make to neutrality is like a morning mist.

This Child came bearing the title Prince of Peace because He alone is able to reconcile people to God and bring peace with God. People who are at peace with God will be at peace with one another. If they are not at peace with one another then at least one of them is not at peace with God.

Through this Child who bore the sin of the world in His own shed blood we can be reconciled to God and be at peace with Him and with one another. Isaiah writes, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3). It is God who keeps peace in a person’s heart through the Prince of Peace.

“And she (Mary) will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

The times are in His hands and at the right time He will again invade the earthly realm and assume His rightful place as KING of kings and LORD of Lords. Then there will be: Peace on earth and goodwill toward men

Mission of Privilege

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the Gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set al liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord”
(Luke 4:18-19; Isaiah 61:1, 2a)

At the commencement of His earthly ministry Jesus was given the opportunity to read from the Scriptures in the synagogue in Nazareth. He was handed the book of Isaiah and He began reading from what we know as chapter 61. This was no accident or coincidence. It was deliberate. What caused all eyes to be fixed on Him when He stopped (v20) was that he stopped reading mid sentence and clearly identified Himself with the passage.

The portion that He read relates to His first advent and the portion that He did not read (Isaiah 61:2b, 3) relates to His second advent.

There are a lot of reasons for the “Christmas season” given by people but this passage gives one expression of the reason for Jesus’ first advent.

First and foremost He came to preach the gospel, the good news. The “poor” in this context are not necessarily materially poor. They are spiritually poor or spiritually bankrupt as in Matthew 5:3: “Blessed are the poor.”

Those who know they are spiritually bankrupt, are broken-hearted over sin, are held captive by false religion, blind to the truth and downtrodden by wickedness are those for whom Jesus came. A baby in a manger may make a great story but it does not tell us why He came.

Jesus ascribes this reason in Isaiah as the reason for His earthly mission. Jesus later said, “As You (the Father) sent Me into the world, I (the Son) also have sent them into the world” (John 17:18). Therefore since we are sent on His mission, in His name and under His authority, then it is also our mission until such time as He says enough by calling us home.

Meditating on this passage will help us refocus on His mission shared with us and the reason for Jesus first advent.

On one occasion I heard a non-Christian say that the only people in the world who have any joy at Christmas are Christians. For everyone else it has become a materialistic nightmare of shopping, eating, drinking and debt. For those who have to arrange all the parties and family get-togethers it is an administrative nightmare as well. Families who cannot get on together all year are thrust together for a miserable day. No wonder they hate it. They have left Christ, and all that He brings, out of their Christmas.

Please do not leave Christ out of your Christmas or neglect the mission of privilege He has given you in the coming year.

A Name From Heaven

“You shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

This one verse gives us the reason for the name given to the Son of God and the reason for His incarnation. His coming has other benefits for Christians that flow out of this but they are not the reason for His coming.

In the Bible Jesus is given a number of names and each one describes an aspect of His relationship or ministry to us. In verse 23 Matthew reminds us of a name given to Him in the book of Isaiah. There the name given is Immanuel which Matthew tells us should be understood as “God with us.” This name describes the new relationship believers will have with God through Jesus.

The name Jesus is given by God through the angel. It was not chosen by Joseph, Mary or even the priest. This name means Saviour which the remainder of the verse affirms.

Since this is the name conveyed to Joseph and Mary as the name for this child, notwithstanding all the other names attributed to Him in the Old and New Testaments, it comes with special emphasis and meaning.

The angel goes on to say that Jesus “will save His people from their sins.” The name describes this aspect of His relationship and ministry to us and it is the prime aspect. Without Jesus being our Saviour the other names attributed to Him would be meaningless.

At this time of year it is appropriate to ponder and wonder at the miracle of the virgin birth and the incarnation but we should never separate this from the reason He came. His birth was so that He might be raised up on the cross; His blood shed and that He die in order that we might be saved from our sins.

Let us sing the carols and join with the wise men who “rejoiced with exceedingly great joy” “for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”