Wednesday December 25
“A Savior, Who is Christ the Lord”
Luke 2:1-20
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Merry Christmas! On this Christmas day, I thought it would be appropriate to go back to Luke 2 and once again read the real Christmas story and make a few comments about it. Everyone loves the story of a Baby in a manger! But the sad thing is that most of the world would like to keep this Baby there. It is there you can cuddle Him and tell Him how sweet He is. And if you can keep Him there you can control Him because He is only a Baby. But my friend, Jesus is far more than a Baby in a manger.
The angel declared to the shepherds that this Baby was the Savior, Who is Christ the Lord! It was only through a human birth that Jesus, the eternal, preexistent Son of God, the second Person of the Godhead Trinity, could robe Himself in human flesh so that He could be our Savior. Joseph was told by an angel in a dream that he was “to take Mary as his wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).
In order to die in our place for our sins Jesus had to become flesh. Hebrews 2:14-15 puts it this way: “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” “We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The payment for our sin is death (Romans 6:23). Someone has to pay the penalty and Jesus as the perfect, sinless, spotless, Lamb of God, voluntarily was willing to lay down His life for us!
The story of Jesus is, from the cradle, to the cross and death, to the grave, to a glorious resurrection, and then to the right hand of the Father on the throne in heaven! Jesus came to be our Savior! And He qualified because He is the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One! At the time Jesus was born the name Jesus was a very common name given to boys. So, Jesus was distinguished from all other men with His title: Jesus, the Christ! And there is only one Jesus, the Christ! He alone is the fulfilment of the Old Testament Prophecies who came to redeem us from death. (Ephesians 2:4-10).
But not only is Jesus the Savior and Messiah, He is “the Lord”. Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 9:6-7, “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.”
Jesus is the Sovereign God and has the right to rule as Lord over our lives! Have you submitted to His authority over your life?
God bless!
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