“Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him.” Luke 15:1 NASB
What was it about Jesus that drew sinners and the outcasts of society to Him? Tax collectors in Jesus’s day extorted money from people by demanding excessive amounts above the required payment. They were the most hated and mistrusted individuals in that day. They were earning a lucrative living by openly stealing. Note that it was not just tax collectors who were drawn to Jesus for the Bible says “and the sinners were coming near Him.”
And who were the sinners? Yes, drunkards, prostitutes, swindlers, thieves, liars, murderers and the like, “coming near Him to listen to Him.”
And who are the tax collectors and sinners in our day? I’m afraid it’s you and me. In some degree all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Ro. 3:23). And we all have a void, a deep hole in our souls that can only be filled by Jesus Christ. We were created to have a relationship with our heavenly Father, but that relationship is broken by our sin. It is an empty and nagging feeling that if you admit it; you know it is there. The tax collectors and sinners in Jesus’s day knew it was there. They didn’t want religious rules and regulations, they wanted forgiveness, and they wanted to fill the void, that deep hole in their life.
May you take the opportunity this Christmas to fill the void in your life by accepting Christ as your personal Savior. That is why He came. That is why we celebrate Christmas.
“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.” Luke 2:8 NLT
Many people need to work the night shift, midnight shift, or third shift whatever term you would like to use. Whether in manufacturing, medical facilities, emergency units, law enforcement, or the 24/7 grocery and convenient stores. These individuals are working when most of us are asleep. They put in their typical work day (or night) during unfavorable hours. But they have a job to do and they perform the tasks that are assigned to them. Most nights are uneventful and then you have one of those nights when the unexpected happens.
Two thousand years ago the unexpected happened in a shepherd’s field just outside of Bethlehem. The shepherds were working the night shift. Their job was mainly overnight security. They worked as night watchmen guarding and protecting the sheep from predators and thieves. Most nights were quiet, a matter of routine and at times extremely boring. But this night was different. The birth of a baby boy a short distance away would change their lives forever.
Jesus, the promised Messiah, was born that night. So magnificent was His birth that a host of angels came down from heaven to announce it. Who were the first recipients of this good news, those who were awake; the working shepherds. The first angel appeared before the shepherds and announced, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:10-11 NLT) Then, “Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’” (Luke 2:13-14 NLT) The announcement made to the shepherds many years ago can still be heard today through the church and through individuals proclaiming a Savior has been born, Christ the Lord!
This week many children of all ages are hoping they receive what they asked for from the man in the red suit or whoever represents him in your circle of influence. From the Bitzee interactive toy digital pet, to anything Barbie, to the Magna-Tiles Downhill Duo complete with figures and race cars for the youngsters, to the hottest video games, cell phones, and latest in digital devices for the coming of age crowd, not to forget the big toys for the big kids; all have that hope they will receive that requested gift on Christmas morning.
‘Hope’ defined by most dictionaries is; ‘to cherish a desire with anticipation:to want something to happen or be true.’ All of us hoping for that gift have the desire to have that hope come to realization. Although, if we are honest with ourselves, we know it does not always hold true. Oh, it is true the one supplying the gift will do everything possible they could to insure the granting of the request, but unavoidable circumstances beyond their control always get in the way.
Biblical hope is never affected by unavoidable circumstances. Biblical hope is fixed. It is guaranteed. Biblical hope is the future confidence in expecting all that God has promised will come to pass. God has promised that all who believe in His Son Jesus for salvation will be saved from the wrath to come and will have eternal life with Him. Our guaranteed hope, as Max Lucado described it, was born as Christ entered the world on that first Christmas morning. God’s promise to reconcile us back Himself through Christ by defeating Satan on the cross was fulfilled. (Gen. 3:15) Our hope, our assurance of salvation, was born in Christ Jesus.
Our Christian (Biblical) hope is far different from hoping to receive the latest got-to-have gadget for Christmas. Our hope in Christ is sure, guaranteed and lifesaving. It is backed up by a holy God who does not lie and can do all things. As the apostle Peter says to us this Christmas, “…….if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.”
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 NLT
“Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” 2 Timothy 2:26 NLT
Like it or not, we are all held captive by the world in one fashion or another. The Christmas holiday is a prime example of being influenced by the events around us that holds us captive. Of course, not all of the festive trimmings and wrappings of the season are a bad influence or have the ability to hold us captive. But when we take our eyes and our minds off the true meaning of Christmas we set ourselves up to fall into the devil’s trap. Satan would like nothing better than to have Jesus placed second or even third on His birthday. The less we inform people of the true ‘reason for the season’ as we say, the more he likes it.
Jesus said to those who had said they believed in Him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (Jn. 8:32 NLT) But they questioned Jesus saying that they have never been in slavery to anyone, so how can they be set free. They did not understand that Jesus was not referring to physical slavery, but to the spiritual condition of their souls. They were enslaved to sin and to the father of lies, Satan himself. They needed to know the truth (divine revelation) and that truth says Jesus came to set us free from the captivity of sin and of Satan.
I trust that those of us who know Jesus as our personal Savior will not be held captive by the surroundings of Christmas that the truth of gospel fails to resonate with those around us. The Christmas story is more than about a baby in a manger on a silent night. There was a distant and necessary purpose for the Christ child’s arrival; to set us free from the captivity of sin.
“What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position ‘a little lower than the angels’; and because he suffered death for us, he is now ‘crowned with glory and honor.’ Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:9 NLT
There is much in the pages of scripture that is hard to understand, confusing, and at times seem contradictory. For instance, Hebrews 1:6 says, “And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’” (NIV) In the very next chapter the writer of Hebrews says, “What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position ‘a little lower than the angels’” (2:9a NLT) One who is placed in a position lower than angels certainly would not be worshiped by them, it doesn’t make sense, or does it?
It makes perfect sense if we remember why Jesus came to earth in the first place. He was born to die. Born to die by crucifixion on a cross for sinners. The apostle John writes, “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (1 Jn. 4:10 NLT) And Paul writes in Romans chapter 6, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (6:23 NLT)
There was a need for a perfect sacrifice for sin which none of us fit that criteria. Jesus, the Son of God, lowered His position to identify with us becoming human, (God-man). But he in no way gave up His Deity, “So the Word became human and made his home among us.” (Jn. 1:14a NLT) Jesus being obedient to the Father’s plan for salvation came to this earth born of a virgin for your sin and mine as we accept Him as our Savior. The writer of Hebrews then tells us the rest of the story, “…..and because he suffered death for us, he is now ‘crowned with glory and honor.’ Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.” (2:9b NLT) Jesus is now crowned with glory and honor for His sacrificial death for our sins. And yes, the angels continue to worship Him.
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.” Micah 5:2 NLT
Many small towns across the United States are just that, sleepy little villages of no significance except for those who call it home. Every once in a while a small town becomes noticeably significant due to the birthplace of a noteworthy individual. The last half of 20th century saw most U.S. presidents born and reared in small towns. Dwight Eisenhower was born in Abilene, Kansas, President Bill Clinton-Hope, Arkansas, and Jimmy Carter born in Plains, Georgia has lived there to this day. Lima, Ohio is the birthplace of NFL great Ben Roethisberger. The entertainment industry has several celebrities from small towns, Oprah Winfrey is from the small town of Kosciusko, Mississippi, and musical artist Taylor Swift was born and grew up in a small township in the area I now reside, Reading, Pennsylvania, not to mention the world’s most famous groundhog Phil from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
These small towns all have one thing in common, they will all be forever remembered as the birthplace of that famous person until someone more famous comes along. What they also have in common is there was no advance notice that a United States president, a NFL player, or a major celebrity would be born in their town. Most people would not know what would become of these small town heroes in their younger years. There may have been glimpses of increasing intellect, wisdom, and talent paving the way throughout their lives, but nothing pre-determined that a well renowned person was among them. History records for us in the Bible a previous announcement that was made to a small town in Judah. It was pre-determined that one would be born in that town who will be a ruler of Israel. That small town is the little town of Bethlehem.
Bethlehem, known as the city of David and the house of bread, is located about five miles southwest of Jerusalem. It is also called Ephrathah, Ephrath, and Bethelhem-judah. It is the burial place of Rachel, Jacob’s wife. (Gen. 35:16-19) It is also the city of Boaz who married Ruth, the Moabitess, King David’s great-great grandmother. (Ruth 4:13-22) Jesse, the father of King David and grandson of Boaz and Ruth dwelt in Bethlehem, and Jesse’s son David along with his brothers were also born in Bethlehem, therefore ‘city of David.’ The little town of Bethlehem had a mighty king growing right up in from of them and didn’t know it. There were a few signs developing in his teen years as a well trusted shepherd protecting his father’s sheep from harmful predators. His striking down and killing the Philistines’ giant battle warrior Goliath made him a household name with immediate attention. David, as scripture reminds us, was anointed to be king replacing Saul who had rejected the word of the Lord. David’s actions and his trust in God were beginning to be noticed in his home town and around Israel.
At times we may feel small and insignificant in a world of bigger than life influential figures all around us. But God uses all of us just the same for His purposes. Your little influence towards those in your community, whether small or large, if in the Lord’s will can mushroom into something great for God. We start small with one person at a time in our little town of influence.
King David went on to be Israel’s greatest king in that David was a man after God’s own heart. God promised David that he his throne would be established forever. (2 Sam. 7:12-16) One will sit on his throne and rule into the everlasting kingdom. (Is. 9:7) King David was the most famous and influential person to be born in the little town of Bethlehem for centuries-but someone more famous and greater came along. The prophet Micah prophesied, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.” (Micah 5:2 NLT)
The abortion issue has been drawn front and center once again in the United States since the U. S, Supreme Court decision in June, 2022 that overturned the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973 legalizing abortion in the Untied States. The decision did not outlaw abortion, but sent the matter down to each individual state to decide the issue. Many states have already taken action on both fronts, for and against. The 2024 election is bound to heat up with organizations supporting the campaigns of their choice. Pro-life and Pro-choice with the feminist slogan leading the chant of the My Body, My Choice movement.
The opening chapters of the New Testament gospel of Luke details with accuracy the birth of Jesus Christ. The gospel writer chronicles the sequence of events from the announcement of John the Baptist’s birth, Jesus’s cousin, to the announcement of Jesus’s birth leading up to the birth of both John and the birth of Christ. Holy Scripture details the miraculous power of God in the conception of both John the Baptist and Jesus. Elizabeth, John’s mother, was well advanced in years, and Mary was still a virgin. The angel Gabriel in the announcement to Mary concluded by saying, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Lk. 1:37)
Elizabeth and her younger cousin Mary were both, as is often said, ‘with child.’ The detailed evidence cannot be denied as when the two of them met shortly after Mary’s conception. Elizabeth was six months along when Mary received the announcement that she would have a baby. Mary immediately went to visit her cousin on receiving the news concerning both of them. Scripture records for us the greeting with detail and accuracy, “In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.” (Lk. 1:39-41b)
The evidence is in according to the Word of God. Elizabeth and Mary were both carrying life in their wombs, life that was recognized. It is life by the giver and creator of life, God Himself. John the Baptist went on to be the forerunner of Jesus, the Messiah. Jesus came into this world to save mankind from their sins assuring them of eternal life through faith in Him. The Bible is very detailed and accurate about God’s plan for salvation and nothing can alter His plan. But what if Elizabeth and Mary had said, ‘My body, my choice’ and chose not to have their babies? Obviously it did not happen, nor could it have happened. But just saying, ‘What If’?
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3 NASB
Jesus’s love for us is such that He wants us to be with Him throughout all eternity. He has been preparing a place for us for two thousand years. His love for us is such that He left His heavenly place in order to make it possible for us to be in that place with Him. Sound confusing? It’s not really! Jesus, God the Son, left heaven’s throne coming down to earth to redeem those who will put their trust in Him for Salvation. Let’s just say the necessary arrangements needed to be made for us to enter eternity with the Lord Jesus.
The incarnation of Christ is part of God’s plan of Salvation for mankind. We are all in a lost state, sinners from birth, and cannot stand or live in the presence of God. Our society today tells us that God is a God of love and He would not condemn anyone. It is true God is a God of love, but He is also a Holy God who cannot accept sin. Sin against a Holy God must be dealt with and there is nothing we can do to make it right. Isaiah 64:6 says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” (NKJV) As much as we try and as careful as we are to live a clean life doing what is right, the Bible says that our very best is as ‘filthy rags.’
So where is our hope this Christmas? Our hope is in Jesus, the Christ child, who lived a perfect life, and laid down that perfect life for us to accept Him for Salvation. We can then stand before God in Christ’s righteousness and live in eternity in the place He has been preparing for you and me these past two thousand years.
“Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.” Genesis 2:7 NLT
“………But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!” Daniel 5:23b NLT
How many of God’s blessings do we take for granted? Our normal everyday life activities have countless examples of all we take for granted until it’s gone, even for a short time. A power outage in your home disrupts everything. It’s amazing what you now are unable to do with no electricity. Lack of fresh water is more than an inconvenience especially if lasting more than a couple of days. Most of us take for granted that our automobile is going to start when we get in it, but we all know that is not always the case, and we can go on and on with those things we take for granted.
My thought is we take for granted the very air we breathe the most, not to mention the source of our air supply. The Old Testament book of Genesis says, “He (God) breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.” (Gen. 2:7b NLT) God breathed into us the very breath of life. He has created air consisting of mostly of three gases; nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, which He also created, to maintain our breath of life. Have you ever thought, what if God had decided there would an ‘air outage’ for a period of time? I think it’s safe to say none us would be around to remember it. Electricity and water supplies are vital for survival in our current day, but it doesn’t mean instant death when their service is interrupted. But it is “God who holds your breath in His hand.” (Dan.5:23 NKJV)
The prophet Daniel told King Belshazzar he was going to lose the kingdom and his life that very night because he did not humble himself before God but mocked Him and praised their gods of silver and gold. Daniel was clear in his explanation to Belshazzar that he did not honor the true God who gave him the breath of life and the air to breathe, but took it for granted. “…But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!” (Dan. 5:23b NLT)
It is a message for us to take to heart. Let us count our blessings, (as the old song goes), naming them one by one. May we not take any of them for granted, especially the air we breathe supplied to us by the one who gave us the Breath of Life.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV
The familiar sounds of the Christmas season are many. From the Christmas music, to the holiday greetings, to the sounds of traffic in the streets, to children’s eager anticipation of coming the event on the 24th of December; the sounds of the season constantly remind us that Christmas Day is approaching.
Among these sounds are the bells of the Salvation Army Bell Ringers. A tradition that started in 1891 in the city of San Francisco, California. Stationed in shopping malls and other retail outlets as well as on street corners, the bell ringers remind people of the need of others during the Christmas season. The sound of the bell is to draw our attention away from ourselves and our task at hand and reflect on those unfortunate in our neighborhoods and around the world.
The physical and material needs of the countless people in our midst cannot be denied. Christians (the church) should be at the forefront of meeting this need. As the church rings the bell of awareness and participates in meeting the material needs of the downtrodden among us, it also has the responsibility to be a bell ringer for the eternal Salvation of others. Jesus said, speaking of Himself, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Lk. 19:10 ESV) The spiritual need is great and it needs to be met.
Our Lord instructs us to be witnesses, Bell Ringers, for Him. This Christmas season as you hear the bell ring and drop money into that Red Kettle, pick up your spiritual bell and ring it for all the world to hear the need of Salvation and spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Word for the Soul 