PSALM 2:1-3: “Why are the nations restless And the peoples plotting in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers conspire together Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let’s tear their shackles apart And throw their ropes away from us!” NASB
OBSERVATION: Christmas is upon us once again. In just two days we will gather around our Christmas trees, open gifts, and look forward to a wonderful Christmas feast. Throughout this season homes have been filled with lights and replicas of the manger have been placed in front of houses and businesses alike. The world is happy to celebrate the birth of Christ because it means money to their bottom line. Everything would be fine except for this fact…
JESUS IS NOT A BABY ANYMORE!
A baby in a manger poses no threat to the status quo. Yet, Jesus grew up and began to challenge everyone with the truth. It is for this truth that Jesus was crucified. And, it is because of this truth that the nations rage and the culture of our day rises to take a stand against the Lord and His Anointed. Talk about the baby Jesus and no one cares. Talk about the risen Christ and all hell breaks loose!
This is the difference between the observance of Christmas and Easter in our culture today. Christmas focuses on the birth of Christ. No one gets upset about the story of a little baby lying in the manger. Yet, when that baby becomes a man, challenges the religious traditions of His day, and calls men and women to repent from their sins and believe in His Lordship – everything changes. A baby makes no demands. The Son of God calls us to pick up our cross and follow Him!
When Jesus stood before Pontious Pilate, He proclaimed the reason He came to earth.
- “Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” John 18:37 NASB
Jesus came to testify to the truth. He did not come to bring a month-long celebration of lights and festivities. Now, I love the Christmas season as much as anyone. Yet, we can get lost in the lights, the parties, and the special events, and completely miss the reason Jesus came. He came to reveal the Father, to proclaim the truth of the Kingdom of God, to call us to repentance from sin, and to die in our place so that we might be reconciled to the Father through Him.
All of this would be acceptable to the world if it wasn’t for the truth! Truth is a light that exposes darkness. This present world revels in darkness and rejects the light of the truth. Today, the world is happy to keep the baby in the manger but it conspires together to quiet the man Jesus from speaking the truth into the darkness of their lives. How does God respond to this?
- “He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury, saying, “But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” “I will announce the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have fathered You. Ask it of Me, and I will certainly give the nations as Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth as Your possession.” Psalms 2:4-8 NASB
The reality of Christmas is not just that Jesus came to this earth. The reality of Christmas is that Jesus is coming back again! He is coming back as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is coming to reign forever and ever. When Jesus comes it will not be a hidden event in a lowly manger. Every eye will see Him and every knee will bow! He will come with judgment against sin and a reward for the faithful. His truth will be vindicated and His Kingdom will have no end!
As in the days before the flood, the world will go on in its darkness until He breaks forth in His marvelous light. There will be no more need for any Christmas lights for He will be our light for all eternity. Those who placed their faith in Jesus Christ will enter this light for all eternity. Those who embraced the darkness and refused to surrender to Jesus Christ will enter eternal darkness.
So, what should one do?
- “Now then, you kings, use insight; Let yourselves be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with reverence And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, that He not be angry and you perish on the way, For His wrath may be kindled quickly. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalms 2:10-12 NASB
This Christmas, as we enjoy all the lights and celebrations, we need to take time to remember that Jesus is coming again! Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! The only way to escape the coming judgment and to enjoy the blessings of abundant life now and eternal life in the world to come is to – “Serve the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling!” The Second coming of Jesus Christ will come with wrath or blessing. Our blessed hope is in this promise.
- “How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”
Lord, touch hearts this Christmas and open our eyes to see the glorious light of Your truth. Grant us the grace to serve You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. As the wonderful chorus proclaims…
One day every tongue will confess You are Lord
One day every knee will bow
Still, the greatest treasure remains for those
Who gladly choose You now
In Jesus’ Name!
Kirk's Journal 