JESUS CAME TO DIE!
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
(Matthew 2: 2 NASB)
The study of the stars for so many years.
The coming of the Messiah.
The birth of the King of the Jews.
The following of the star shining high above, marking the location of His birth.
The visit.
The ultimate worship.
The King of kings. The baby boy. The Incarnate. The One God—Father God, Son of God, & Holy Spirit of God.
Emmanuel.
- HE Has Come!
- God, He is with us!
- Wonderful Counselor.
- Mighty God.
- Eternal Father.
Emmanuel.
- He Came to Die for each person, for all of humanity.
- He entered through a virgin into a womb where no entrance existed.
- He left through a tomb where no exit existed.
Jesus.
The Savior of the world.
The Christ.
The Redeemer. Messiah. Prince of Peace!
- Jesus will come again, for each one: man, woman, boy, and girl.
- Jesus, the Messiah, will return!
- Jesus will return!
- Are we (each one of us) ready to meet God?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
(John 3: 16-17 NASB)
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.”
- Are we sharing Jesus as the Spirit leads?
- Are we (who already believe) prepared now for the day when we have no access to our copy of the Scriptures?
- Are we faithfully following God’s will, going wherever He leads us to go?
- Are we standing still, worrying about tomorrow, when we know the Holy Spirit is leading us to move, to go, to speak, to witness, to lead others to know Jesus?
- Are we saying, “Yes, to the cost?” of discipleship?
- Are we thanking God for His great love?
- Are we sharing Jesus with others as we are led by the Holy Spirit to share the love of God?
- Are we studied up—prayed up—prepared to lead another to know Jesus as Savior & Lord?
If we are approached by someone who speaks these words in desperation:
“God, I don’t know what or who you are, but can you please send somebody to explain you to me?”—are we ready to be that “somebody” who is present, who can explain God’s love & Jesus’ sacrifice?
It’s Christmas.
So many believers will attend church.
So many unbelievers will also attend.
So many desperate ones will come to see, to hear about the miracle birth, about God’s gift to the world.
May we be as desperate to share with others the miracle death and resurrection of Jesus.
Bible theologian Henry Blackaby coined the statement of testimony all believers need.
“Find out where God is working and join Him.”
[Jesus’ birth]—HOPE has come to humanity!
“He who has been born King of the Jews?”
&
[Jesus’ death upon the cross]—SALVATION has come to humanity!
“For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only Son,
so that everyone who believes in Him
will not perish,
but have eternal life.”
(John 3: 16 NASB)