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Gleanings From The Word

Tag: gospel

  • Jesus is the Reason for the season

    Jesus is the Reason for the season

    I was recently talking about Christmas with an acquaintance.  He told me Christmas isn’t his thing; it’s just another excuse for a day off. They occasionally get together for a family function on Christmas, but his dysfunctional family makes it less than fun.

    Some of his in-laws have a “religious background” but don’t really practice, and he “is not into all that anyway.” 

    He and his wife don’t exchange gifts because they have everything they need. He told me that he “hates” shopping this time of year anyway because of the crowds and the hype.

    He isn’t alone in feeling that way. Many people don’t enjoy Christmas. I don’t judge them, but my heart does break.

    I agree that Christmas isn’t about the family get-togethers, the shopping, the decorations, the Christmas music and movies, or the gifts. Now, any or all of those things can add to the Christmas experience., but Christmas is a celebration of God’s story. 

    There is plenty wrong with how we portray the Christmas story; for example, Jesus was most likely born in the spring, the angels didn’t sing, we don’t know how many magi there were, and more. Yet, the incarnation of our Lord is front and center, and that’s reason to celebrate.

    The Christmas story is filled with miracles and fulfilled prophecies. That should catch our attention and point us to the wonder of it all.

    Jesus is the Center. Immanuel, God with us is the reason for the season. He is cause for eternal celebration.

    My favorite Christmas texts are not found in the gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth.

    Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

    Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 NIV

    Those verses don’t mention Christmas, the virgin birth, angels, shepherds, miracles or prophecies, magi, King Herod, a star, a census, Bethlehem, or many other components of the Christmas narrative we expect.

    Yet, they describe what Christ sacrificed to come  and redeem us. That redemption started, in a way, with His birth. he came for us.

    The Lord gave up all things to step into time. He condescended to be born in the womb of one of His creations so that he could suffer and die for us.

    That, my dear friends, is the reason for Christmas. Strip away all the other trappings, even the ones we enjoy, and the reason for the season stands bright.

    A baby, born to die for you and me. A lord who humbled Himself to redeem us. God’s great gift of love and mercy. It’s when heaven came down to earth.

    May you keep that forefront in your mind this season.

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word

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  • On Trial – For Your Life

    On Trial – For Your Life

    Englis court judge in traditional wig and robes

    I am a fan of good detective and police stories. I  enjoy a good who-dun-it television program. A good courtroom drama can be fun as well.

    I prefer the ones produced by British networks over those done in North America. Typically, the stories are better told, and there is more emphasis on the story than glitz and glamour.

    I am not alone, as these types of stories sell millions of books and comprise some of the most-watched programs on television. There are even specialty television and streaming channels dedicated to this type of programming.

    It has been disappointing of late that the newer programs in this genre have tended to rely on far too much gratuitous nudity, sex, profanity, and graphic violence to keep their share of ratings. Usually, the stories can be well-told without all the debris being thrown into the mix.

    One of the Old Testament’s twelve so-called “Minor Prophets” tells a fascinating courtroom story. The prophets are not called Minor Prophets because of the importance of their words; the term refers to the volume of their writings. These books are shorter than the so-called Major Prophets like Daniel and Isaiah.

    It’s a real life trial for your life.

    Our story is set in heaven.

    Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?” Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord was standing by. And the angel of the Lord solemnly assured Joshua, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. Zechariah 3:1-7 NIV

    The high priest Joshua stood in front of the Lord. Satan was busy accusing him. Satan does not have to lie to accuse any of us. We give him plenty of ammunition, all of our own. 

    Joshua was guilty of sin; we can tell that from his “filthy clothes.” Yet the Lord was more interested in restoring him than condemning him.

    The narrative continues with even better news.

    Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, I will engrave its inscription, declares the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. In that day, declares the Lord of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree.” Zechariah 3:8-10 NIV

    The Branch to come is, of course, Jesus. He came and sacrificed so that all sin could be atoned for in a single day. I also find great encouragement in verse ten. Being able to sit under the fig tree with a neighbor is a sign of prosperity and peace, but the ability to invite that neighbor is a privilege.

    Those who have found redemption in Christ are given a wondrous opportunity. We can invite our neighbors to join us in that peace and joy. We can tell them the good news about Christ. We have been found guilty, but the penalty has been paid on our behalf. We can help that happen for others by letting them know about Him.

    Until next time, rejoice. If you know Jesus, you will come through the ultimate courtroom drama unscathed and blessed.

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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