The most familiar verse in all of Scripture is John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (kjv) God’s love came down to the world when He sent His Son to be born of a virgin over 2,000 years ago. The world was and is still in need of a savior. The angels announced to the shepherds on that first Christmas Eve, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Lk.2:11 kjv) Yes, God’s love came down. His plan of salvation from eternity passed, for you and me, had taken another step closer to its completion.
Jesus came into this world as the God-man to save sinners. His love for us is such that He left heaven’s glories to come here and live on this earth. Jesus lived and worked among us until His time came for the purpose of His coming. He would make the ultimate sacrifice dying on the cross of Calvary for our sins showing His love for us. Yes, Christ’s love for us came down thirty-three years earlier in the city of David, and it never wavered, even on the cross. His love that came down for us, kept Him up on the cross and this time did not come down.
We are incapable of reaching up to God for salvation. There is nothing we can ever do to save ourselves. So, love came down. ‘For God so loved the world.’ It is God’s desire that no one perishes into eternal damnation due to their sin. (2Pt.3:9) Christ’s coming to earth is proof of God’s love for us. Yes, love came down; in Jesus’ birth, in His death, in His resurrection, in sending us His Holy Spirit, and in His coming back again. Have you received God’s love that came down and accepted Christ as your savior?
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14 ESV
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The image of a baby boy in a manger is precious in our sight during the Christmas season. As Christmas Eve draws closer, the thought of that silent night fills our hearts and minds with great anticipation. The sounds of ‘Away in the Manger, ‘Silent Night,’ and ‘O Holy Night’ fill the air. Little thought is given to the image of the Christ child 33 years later suffering on the cross at Calvary. But that is why Christ came, and why He came as flesh and blood.
The writer of the book of Hebrews says that it was through Christ death on the cross that He destroyed Satan who has the power of death. Jesus conquered death by His resurrection three days later. He could only do that if He became like us and took on our physical nature of flesh and blood. Jesus not only conquered death, but He satisfied God’s required payment for our sins by His death. The apostle John tells us “He is the propitiation (appeasement or satisfaction) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1Jn.2:2 esv) “For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” (Heb.9:22b nlt)
A third reason why Christ came as flesh and blood is He can help us in our time of need when tempted. “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Heb.2:18 esv) It is hard for us to imagine how Jesus was tempted in the same way we are today, but Scripture records it. We need to take it by faith. Matthew records Satan tempted Jesus with ‘the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.’ (Mt.4:1-11) And Jesus withstood the temptations. By coming in the flesh and taking on our physical nature Jesus can sympathize with our struggles and is there to help us through the Holy Spirit.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb.4:15 esv)
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.” Luke 1:76 ESV
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The story of the birth of Christ has several intriguing storylines and all of them true. There are some ordinary people who play a significant role in God’s plan in bringing His Son into the world. This week we look at the husband of Elisabeth who gave us our first song of hope for advent two weeks ago. His name is Zechariah, one of 18,000 priests of that day, and who had been speechless the entire time of his wife’s pregnancy for not believing that Elizabeth would have a child in their old age. Over the course of nine months, I’m sure Zechariah had done some deep thinking, perhaps second guessing himself for his response to the angel. The angel had told him his son’s name would be John and that he would be great in the sight of the Lord turning peoples’ hearts back to the God, and that John would be the forerunner of the Messiah. This ordinary prophet will burst out in praise to the Lord God for His work in providing a way of salvation for all people.
Zechariah’s song is called ‘The Benedictus’ just as in Mary’s ‘The Magnificat’ the first word is translated from the Latin Vulgate. In this case the opening word is ‘Benedictus’ meaning ‘Praise be’ or ‘Blessed be.’ The song occurs eight days after Elizabeth had given birth. The occasion was the circumcision of the child as required by the Lord.
It was the custom to name a child at their circumcision, and most likely be named after someone in the family. Family members and friends tried to persuade Zechariah and Elizabeth to name him Zechariah. “And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father.” (Lk.1:59 esv) But of course Mary spoke up and said, ‘“No; he shall be called John.’ And they said to her, ‘None of your relatives is called by this name.’” (Lk.1:60b-61 esv) It’s interesting to note, families didn’t always agree in those days either. When they gestured to Zechariah what name he wanted for the child, Zecheriah wrote on a tablet, ‘His name is John.’ And immediately his mouth was opened, and Zechariah began praising God.
Zechariah’s first words after nine months were filled with praise to God. His silence from speaking could have brought on deep contemplation with God. Unable to speak, listening to everything around him, writing on a tablet, but able to converse with God in silent prayer, Zechariah used this time to connect deeper with his God. We need more quiet moments with God in our day to connect and grow deeper in our relationship with him. The results that await us will be positive as Zechariah has demonstrated.
The fear of the Lord came upon all those present. Reverential awe was displayed as the Lord’s presence was felt in naming this child. The anticipation was high in what this child named ‘John” would turn out to be. His naming outside the traditional norms meant great expectations for him as the hand of the Lord must be upon him.
Zechariah begins his song, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.” (Lk.1:68-69 esv) The occasion as noted above is the birth and circumcision of his son, but the heart and theme of his song is ‘God visiting His people.’ God had visited him and Elisabeth in the birth of their child and now God is about to visit His people with the birth of His Son, the Messiah. Zechariah begins his song with that prophecy. The word ‘horn’ is a symbol of strength and power. Jesus has the power to save. He is a powerful savior able to redeem his people.
God had spoken though the prophets of the Old Testament of Israel being saved from their enemies, but this is much more than that, it is redemption from their ultimate enemy and ours, Satan. Zechariah continues, “to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us.” (Lk.1:72-73 esv) The Lord God made a holy covenant with Abraham, an everlasting covenant with a promise to keep it, the Abrahamic covenant promising salvation by grace. (Gen,12:1-3, 15:18-21, 17:1-21)
Zechariah’s song now turns to his son, the forerunner to the Messiah. “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins.” (Lk.1:76-77 esv) John is the one who was prophesied in the Old Testament as the one coming in the power of Elijah to prepare the way. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” (Mal.4:5-6 esv) One commentary note, ‘John was a prophet of the Most High whereas Jesus is the Son of the Most High.’ John paved the way for the one who has the power to provide salvation.
Zechariah closes with the rising of the ‘Son,’ the light that will come upon those who live in darkness. “because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Zechariah prophesied the sunrise was about to appear bringing light to all who sit in the darkness of sin. Christ was coming into the world ‘to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ Soon the heavenly angels will take over the singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Lk.2:14 esv) And we look at that next week!
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 KJV
“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth” Luke 15:7a KJV
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The Christmas season is a joyous time for most people. I say most, because not all people rejoice in the month of December for various reasons. Sadness may prevail at the loss of a loved one. A terminal illness may have been discovered. The loss of a job at the end of the year puts a damper on the New Year. Others have no interest in the holidays in general or want anything to do with the religious tone to the season. Whether we are joyous or not, the Christmas season is here. There will be rejoicing in heaven and on earth, and that is a good thing.
The heavenly angels were sent to the shepherds out in the fields to announce the coming of the savior. There was great joy for all people on the earth. A savior had been born to take away our sin and reconcile us back to God. The long-awaited Messiah had finally come, and it was time to rejoice. I’m sure the angels in heaven were rejoicing along with the others sent to earth that night. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Lk.2:13-14 kjv) Good news had come to all that night and that is a reason to rejoice.
The Bible tells us of Jesus’ words in the gospel of Luke concerning joy in heaven. “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” (Lk.15:7a kjv) The angels in heaven rejoice over a soul set free by the power of Christ and His work on the cross just as they rejoiced at His coming to earth to set that soul free. There is also joy on earth as friends and loved ones witness the transformation of a changed life.
May this Christmas season be a joyous time for you whatever your circumstances. Yes, there will be rejoicing in heaven and on earth for the savior who was born and for those who will be set free this Christmas by accepting Him as savior and Lord.
As I was taking my shower this morning the old hymn ‘Nothing But the Blood’ was playing through my phone. (and No, I do not sing in the shower) The first verse is as follows, ‘What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” A thought came to mind, how little the word ‘sin’ is referenced anywhere or by anybody these days, and sadly even in some churches. How many people ever think of themselves as a sinner? My guess is, not many.
During the Christmas season the word ‘sin’ is heard more often publicly than any other time throughout the year. Of course, you need to be in a church service during the month or listen to Christmas songs or carols that focus on the birth of Christ rather than ‘Please come home for Christmas, if not for Christmas by New Year’s night.’ Lyrics to familiar Christmas carols are known and sung by many people during Christmas never giving thought to the meaning other than its part to ‘the most wonderful time of the year.’ But the real meaning of ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ is Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins.
If we are not sinners, only doing a few bad things occasionally like telling a ‘white lie,’ why would Jesus need to come and save us. The truth is all of us have been born with a sin nature and we do what comes naturally, we sin. Whether we think we are not, justifying our sin because everybody does it, we are all guilty before God. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Ro.3:23 kjv) That is why Jesus came, to save us from our sins by shedding His blood on the cross at Calvary for, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT
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As 2024 is rapidly coming to a close, the hope for peace and prosperity is wished for all people and nations in the New Year. As the world looks forward to the horizon of 2025, it can’t help but to be reminded of the sunset we are seeing in the present year. So many conflicts among nations continue to rise. Social issues are still demanding their presence on the world stage, and the attack on the nuclear family is ever increasing. World Peace may seem to be hard to come by in 2025. It is not only hard to come by but will not happen despite the best efforts of world leaders. But there is peace available to every man, woman, and child in the New Year, and it is a gift we only need to receive.
This gift of peace was first given to us as a promise from God the Father bridging the gap between us and God created by Adam and Eve. A gift of peace, a savior, would come into the world. (Gen.3:15) The gift of peace was born to us over 2,000 years ago in a stable in the town of Bethlehem. “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Lk.2:11, 14 nlt) This gift of peace, Jesus Christ, came into an unpeaceful, sinful world and has provided peace for all who believe in His name, accepting Him as savior.
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus gave His disciples a deeper meaning to the salutation ‘Shalom’ meaning peace. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (Jn.14:27 nlt) This peace reflects our reconciliation with God the Father through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins. This is true peace and nothing the world can provide. The world can only crave lasting peace which they cannot provide. Jesus’ peace is real and is the answer for all the fears in the world.
Living in the 21st century there is no shortage of things to do. If looking to be entertained, there are thousands of choices to choose from, such as movies, concerts, sporting events, shopping, going for a drive, or staying home and accessing your hundreds of choices on your Smart TV. Getting away for the weekend has an abundance of venues to choose from and places to stay. Spending quality time with friends and family is always a good choice and fulfilling.
Despite the many things we do in life, entertaining ourselves, enjoying family time, achieving success in our jobs and careers, why do some people still have that empty feeling inside? How many people do you know, or perhaps yourself, that do all they can to enjoy life and live it to the fullest, and confess they still have this empty feeling. There is no fulfillment, something is missing. They need to find that missing piece to life’s puzzle. It happens more than you know and to more people than you may think. If you are not surprised by this, you may be one in need of fulfillment.
You’ve heard the cliché, ‘looking for love in all the wrong places.’ Well, it fits here. It is not that the above examples are ‘wrong places,’ they are not. But you will not find complete fulfillment in any of them until the major piece that completes the puzzle is put in place. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Mt.5:6 nlt) Jesus equates being filled with desiring righteousness. True fulfillment of one’s life occurs when Christ’s righteousness is applied to our lives as we accept Him as Lord and savior. That empty feeling disappears. What we thought would bring us fulfillment suddenly doesn’t seem so important anymore when put in proper perspective.
If you’re struggling with that empty feeling why not look for fulfillment in the right place by looking to Christ and desiring His righteousness. It’s the missing piece you need in your search for fulfillment.
Do you need a miracle in your life, something that contradicts all known scientific laws? Where do you go to look for this miracle? There is only one place to go, but the world has its own recommendations to consider keeping you from going to the true source. For instance, the god of this world, Satan, would have you believe that coincidence or random occurrences in your favor are only by chance, denying any divine supernatural power. Some may look for that divine power, but they look in all the wrong places. Many are caught in false religions of the world promising hope and miracles only to find themselves less wealthy and being accused of not having enough faith. Others put their faith in gods of astrology, and various gods presented and worshiped as divine throughout the centuries. None of these possess divine supernatural power to perform miracles. They are not the God of heaven, who alone does mighty miracles.
The question many people ask is this; does God still perform miracles today? The answer is, yes, absolutely! The greatest miracle is a soul set free, and God through the Holy Spirit performs this miracle daily. Scores of people are being radically changed forever from a wayward life every day by accepting God’s only Son Jesus Christ as their savior. People even the world thought were beyond hope, change, and redemption are living a clean life for the Lord and serving others.
Yes, miracles are still happening today. A radically changed person does defy all known scientific laws without divine help. It is the spiritually dead coming to life, everlasting life in Christ. It’s happening every day. Have you received your saving miracle yet, if not do so today!
“And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’” Luke 1:41-42 ESV
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During the next couple of weeks throughout the Advent season we will be looking at 5 songs of hope as recorded in Luke’s gospel on the birth of Christ. Music and particularly songs of praise are all throughout Scripture. Music alone has a way to lift the soul. What better time of year is there than to celebrate with music than the Christmas season. Christmas music will be filling the airwaves, churches, school auditoriums, concert halls, and shopping malls. It can certainly change your mood, mostly for the better, but some might argue with that. These 5 songs of hope for Advent are songs spoken to praise God for the hope He has bestowed upon us in sending His Son for the hope (assurance) we have of salvation.
Our first song this Sunday is ‘Elizabeth’s Song.’ It is not at all lengthy, but rather short and to the point speaking volumes of praise and theological truth. The occasion was Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and Zechariah upon hearing the news of them having their first child. “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Lk.1:42b-45 esv)
Elizabeth was Mary’s older cousin, much older. Zechariah, a priest, was told by an angel of the Lord while he was serving in the Temple burning incense that his wife Elizabeth, who was barren, would have a child in their old age. The angel said his name would be John, and there would be much rejoicing and gladness, “And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (Lk.1:16-17 esv) John would be the forerunner of Jesus, the Messiah and John’s cousin. He would lead people to repentance preparing the way for the Lord.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice upon arriving, the Bible says the baby leaped in her womb. Perhaps John was singing his own song meeting his aunt and cousin for the first time. Elizabeth was then filled with the Holy Spirit and started her song about the hope that was to come. ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’ Elizabeth praised Mary’s faith and the child to be born to her. She realized through the Holy Spirit this must be the Messiah, the son of God for she said, “And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk.1:43 esv) Elizabath evidently knew of the prophet Isaiah’s words, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Is.7:14 esv) She was in the presence of her cousin Mary and yes, was impressed that Mary would visit her, but Elizabeth also in the presence of the Messiah, her savior.
Elizabeth’s song of hope introduces the savior who was coming into the world, born of a virgin as prophesized in Scripture. Her own child, John, perhaps also at the influence of the Holy Spirit leaped for joy at the coming savior. Although Elizabeth may not have been able to understand it all, she did realize the blessings she and her husband Zechariah were given and through the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth knew enough to break out in song. It was a song of praise to God and a song of hope for all people in the coming of the Messiah.
This Christmas season children of all ages are hoping they receive what they asked for from the man in the red suit. From Amazon’s No.1 pick ‘JOYIN 13 in 1 Dinosaur Toys,’ to ‘Nex Playground Game System’ at a cool price of $159, and ‘MrBeast Lab Mutators,’ for the little kids, to the hottest video games, cell phones, and the latest in digital devices for the coming of age crowd, not to forget the big toys for us adults; all have 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 to ensure 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 keeps His promises and can do all things. As Peter says to us in this season of hope, “……. if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.”
Word for the Soul 