John 1:1-5, 14-15 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.'"
John did not speak of the birth of Jesus. He grew up with Him. He proclaimed the reason why Jesus was born, His purpose. He was to share all he had learned, I think, being so close to Him. Though they were cousins, their bond probably more like brothers.
John's account gives me goosebumps. Jesus, the glory of God, seen. Jesus, the Word, the Light, the Truth, the Way, God's plan, from beginning to end of His life. John's poetic words flowed to proclaim who this Man was...and still is. Imagine the preparation of John's heart and spirit for this incredible accounting.
John knew that it was not about his delivery of the message but the Message Himself. He prepared the way for One greater. The Message come to life. When asked if he was the Messiah John emphatically said no and that he himself was not even worthy to untie the sandal straps of this Man, Jesus (even if he was His cousin). He knew the importance of Jesus.
John would proclaim Jesus had been born for one purpose...to be the Savior of the world. He was born to die so that others would live. To redeem the world.
John's message was the sovereignty of this Man. The Word of God who was God, supernaturally born of flesh. As Oswald Chambers wrote: Jesus Christ was born INTO this world, not FROM it...showing His separation from the world, yet it in. God incarnate. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three in one. Who can understand?
The people who first viewed the baby Jesus, an infant boy child, beheld His glory. Did they understand? Did they realize the impact this little Baby would have someday? We are to have childlike faith. When it comes to this, that's all I can have. When it comes to salvation, it's all anyone can have.
Jesus was born to show Himself to the world in the form of a baby born by humble circumstances. Mary, a virgin, humbled herself while people whispered. Joseph humbled himself in the same way. Jesus was born in a stable in a manger filled with straw. Humble shepherds were first to see Him, then followed by kings and He became our good Shepherd, not a king in the world but a Man who will be King of the world someday soon. His life was lived humbly and people, even His own, did not accept Him for who He said He was. He ultimately was rejected to the point of humiliating death. He was not some great-in-the-eyes-of-the-world person. He was what He wants us all to be and what He wants us all to do...become humble and come humbly to Him and receive Him.
This was the whole reason Jesus was sent...for us...that we may have life...in Christ...through Christ...not through anything we can do...but by humbly submitting to Him.
This Christmas dwell on true meaning. Jesus came to give the greatest gift, that of salvation. He is not Santa; He is the Truth. Put Christ in the Christmas spirit. It's really not about our gift giving. It's about our receiving the Gift that Christ is. Will you do that this year? Think about the Christ. If you want to give something special, give yourself to Christ. Enjoy the return gift of real salvation through Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. That's what He is. Again, the Light of the world who takes us out of oppression, burden and death and into real life. Let these be made real this year. Count yourself along with the people mentioned below. Obtain the hope and security from all the world believes is secure. The only hope, security and true joy is in our Lord. Receive Him this Christmas.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before You according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor... For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end...to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7)
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