His Promise—Immanuel Will Bring It to Pass!
Forgive me that I could not help but include my thoughts, the words in black, but let us hear the utterings of the great Bible theologian Marin Luther. Pause to read his words illuminated by the color red—
“It is because of His humanity
[God Himself comes to humanity]
and His incarnation
[Father as Son]
that Christ becomes sweet to us,
and through Him God becomes sweet to us.
[May we read Ephesians 5: 2]
Let us therefore begin to ascend
[to God]
step by step
[a walking by faith]
from Christ’s crying in His swaddling clothes up to His Passion.
[from the manger to the cross]
Then we shall easily know God.
[May we read Matthew 7: 7-8]
I am saying this so that you do not begin to contemplate God from the top,
but start with the weak elements.
[See Jesus, God in the flesh who came to dwell with us]
We should busy ourselves completely
[Every day, Every moment, Throughout Life—Focus upon the Savior]
with treating, [with] knowing, and [with] considering this man.
[See this man Jesus Christ]
Then you will know that He is the Way,
[Jesus is]
the Truth, [Jesus is]
and [Christ Jesus is] the Life.”
—Marin Luther
If a person experiences an ‘epiphany,’ then he has a sudden realization, a certain appearing of truth, & a striking, illuminating revelation. Today just happens to be January 6th, the day we celebrate the coming of the Magi, the wise men from the east who first arrived in Jerusalem, seeking the King.
“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.”
(The Gospel According to Matthew 2: 2 NASB)
Have we ever really paused in our study of the Christmas narrative, the nativity that places the wise men of the east in the manger at Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth (but that is entirely another topic for another day).
Have we ever really paused in our study of the Christmas narrative to ponder the question voiced to Herod, the current king of Jerusalem.
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?”
- Where is He?
- Where is the one who has been born?
- Where is the King of the Jews?
Why even celebrate Christmas if we are going to leave the BEST GIFT unopened & unreceived?
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
(The Letter of Paul to the Romans 5: 1-2 NASB)
through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”
We can approach the throne of God in prayer, as we meditate upon His Holy & Infallible Word.
We can tell the world with authority that God defeated Satan on the cross & in the tomb.
Just as the Magi taught us so many years ago, we must ask the question: “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?”
We must exclaim: “For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” (The Gospel According to Matthew 2: 2 NASB)
- Worship the King of kings!
- Obey the Lord of lords!
- Follow Jesus!
- Walk by His Holy Spirit!
- Grow in Spiritual Maturity!
- Approach Almighty God with awe, humility, and reverence!
- Fall on your knees in worship!
We Must!
Immanuel—God with us!
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;
(The First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians 5: 23-24 NASB)
and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”