The road forked, and you took the wrong turn.”
–Louis L’Amour (Under the Sweetwater Rim)
“And the people said to Joshua, ‘The LORD our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!'”
–Joshua 24:24 (NKJV)
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I have a couple of things to share this morning, not sure if I have room for both of them. I see that I’m running out of time with all the things I want to say this Christmas season. I’m not sure if Wednesday or Thursday will be the last Echo before Christmas or not. Then the week after…I don’t know. May write, may not.
But the first thought. I have been drawn to the Baby this year. Jesus, Immanuel–God with us–who chose to leave behind his glory (kenosis) and come to earth as a defenseless baby. A mystery for sure. He did it for you and me, and for all mankind, yet man either through ignorance or disbelief refuses Him and His sacrifice. People don’t want to hear about Him, for He brings fear. Fear of two sorts: for the believer fear regarding the majesty of God, for the unbeliever fear of the judgment.
In reading Matthew 2:1-23, we see the Magi searching as they follow the Star. They go to the palace where normally a king would be born, but Herod has no idea of what they are talking about, however, the scribes understood (in part). They told Herod that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem according to the Prophet Micah. The Magi, in excitement, went on their way to find Jesus, while Herod was troubled.
Imagine, troubled by a mere baby. Sure it was a threat to his throne, but surely he knew that by the time the Child was old enough to take the throne he would probably be dead. Perhaps fear for his inheritance to his descendants. Or was there more to it? Was Satan whispering in Herod’s ear–“kill the Child.” “Kill Him before it is too late”? A defenseless baby brought fear to Herod. In that fear and the subsequent actions of the Magi toward him, he became angry ordering the male children in the region of Bethlehem to be killed. Satan would not get his hand on Jesus, but many innocents would suffer. I’m not sure about Dante’s “rings” in hell, but if that is so, then there is a special place deep in the realm of the suffering for those who kill innocent babies.
I have often thought about Jesus as a baby and as a child growing up. Why didn’t Satan strike at Him in those formative years? There must have been something happening in the spiritual realm. Perhaps the Father “laid down the law” telling him not to touch His Son. Perhaps the Father had legions of angels around the Child as He grew protecting Him from an onslaught. We know when He entered His public ministry and went out into the wilderness that the angels ministered to Him. Whatever was happening Jesus grew in stature and in favor.
Fear of the Lord is a wondrous thing. That is where wisdom begins–recognizing God for who He is. Look at the Baby in the manger. Recognize who He is–He is the great I AM, the living Word. Take another look, see that smile, that is for you–He knows you and knows everything about you. He has come to ransom and redeem us. Choose to fear Him, and then surrender your life to Him. Do not wait, do not be like Herod and fear what could happen to your kingdom, your position, your career for your eternity is at stake. Look at Him again, and hear the writer of Hebrews, “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come–in the volume of the book it is written of Me–to do Your will, O God.'” (10:7, NKJV)
He has come, and He will one day come again. Are you ready? This Christmas as we celebrate the first Advent, make sure your hearts are ready for His coming in the second Advent. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
—————————————–
I have a couple of things to share this morning, not sure if I have room for both of them. I see that I’m running out of time with all the things I want to say this Christmas season. I’m not sure if Wednesday or Thursday will be the last Echo before Christmas or not. Then the week after…I don’t know. May write, may not.
But the first thought. I have been drawn to the Baby this year. Jesus, Immanuel–God with us–who chose to leave behind his glory (kenosis) and come to earth as a defenseless baby. A mystery for sure. He did it for you and me, and for all mankind, yet man either through ignorance or disbelief refuses Him and His sacrifice. People don’t want to hear about Him, for He brings fear. Fear of two sorts: for the believer fear regarding the majesty of God, for the unbeliever fear of the judgment.
In reading Matthew 2:1-23, we see the Magi searching as they follow the Star. They go to the palace where normally a king would be born, but Herod has no idea of what they are talking about, however, the scribes understood (in part). They told Herod that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem according to the Prophet Micah. The Magi, in excitement, went on their way to find Jesus, while Herod was troubled.
Imagine, troubled by a mere baby. Sure it was a threat to his throne, but surely he knew that by the time the Child was old enough to take the throne he would probably be dead. Perhaps fear for his inheritance to his descendants. Or was there more to it? Was Satan whispering in Herod’s ear–“kill the Child.” “Kill Him before it is too late”? A defenseless baby brought fear to Herod. In that fear and the subsequent actions of the Magi toward him, he became angry ordering the male children in the region of Bethlehem to be killed. Satan would not get his hand on Jesus, but many innocents would suffer. I’m not sure about Dante’s “rings” in hell, but if that is so, then there is a special place deep in the realm of the suffering for those who kill innocent babies.
I have often thought about Jesus as a baby and as a child growing up. Why didn’t Satan strike at Him in those formative years? There must have been something happening in the spiritual realm. Perhaps the Father “laid down the law” telling him not to touch His Son. Perhaps the Father had legions of angels around the Child as He grew protecting Him from an onslaught. We know when He entered His public ministry and went out into the wilderness that the angels ministered to Him. Whatever was happening Jesus grew in stature and in favor.
Fear of the Lord is a wondrous thing. That is where wisdom begins–recognizing God for who He is. Look at the Baby in the manger. Recognize who He is–He is the great I AM, the living Word. Take another look, see that smile, that is for you–He knows you and knows everything about you. He has come to ransom and redeem us. Choose to fear Him, and then surrender your life to Him. Do not wait, do not be like Herod and fear what could happen to your kingdom, your position, your career for your eternity is at stake. Look at Him again, and hear the writer of Hebrews, “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come–in the volume of the book it is written of Me–to do Your will, O God.'” (10:7, NKJV)
He has come, and He will one day come again. Are you ready? This Christmas as we celebrate the first Advent, make sure your hearts are ready for His coming in the second Advent. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!