I never get tired of observing Advent each year. I love the anticipation this brings of remembering and experiencing the new life only Jesus can bring. I love watching the world open their hearts to a Savior. I realize that not everyone will use Advent to mature in their faith and invite others to be open to the Savior of the world. Yes, there is a physical element that so many people promote. But I am not going to let that steal my joy and the reason for the season. My focus is fixed on Jesus.
Matthew 1:20b-21 “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” When the angel brought Joseph the truth of the matter of what was unfolding in his life, he could have just mentioned that a Son was being born and that he was to call him Jesus. That could have created some confusion. The name “Jesus” comes from the Hebrew name “Yeshooah” or “Joshua,” which means “deliverance” or “Salvation.” His mind would have immediately recalled Joshua who followed Moses as the leader of Israel. He led the people of Israel into the Promised Land. He was a strong leader that led them across the Jordan River. God used Joshua to “deliver” the people from the wilderness of death and led them to the land of life. He could have been led to believe that Jesus was going to be the next political leader and military commander of Israel. That’s why the angel went on to say, “For he will save his people from their sins.” The angel didn’t say anything about Jesus dying here. But there is a connection between saving people from their sins and Jesus’ death. It’s rooted in the character of God. God is holy. Part of what comes with holiness is separation from sin and sinners. If that is the case, then we are in trouble. How do we get right with a just and holy God? For no impurity nor evil will escape a holy God. He cannot overlook things that go against his character. So how can a just and holy God accept imperfect people? How can He forgive unholy people? The answer lies in God sending His one and only Son during this Christmas season. Something has to die for God’s wrath toward sinners to be appeased. Someone has to die in order for sins to be forgiven. Forgiveness always comes at a great personal cost. When we forgive someone who’s wrong us, there’s cost involved. We give up our right to retribution and we give them what they don’t deserve. In the same way, our forgiveness came at a great personal cost to God. In order for God to forgive us, He became a man to offer himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God can’t die so He had to become a man so He could – His name is Jesus. So God put on human flesh and was born to die for sinners. Christmas points to the cross. Jesus’ death doesn’t mean that everyone gets to go to heaven. He was sent by the Father to purchase, through His blood, a people for Himself. Titus 2:13-14 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Jesus died to purchase His bride, not to make his marriage to her a possibility. He died to give her salvation, not just to give her a chance. At Christmas, parent’s don’t give their children the possibility of gifts, they give them real gifts that have already been purchased. This Christmas reminds us that Jesus loves us each individually. He died for each one of us. He doesn’t reserve His love for the one who cleans up their life and then dispenses His love all at once. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us – He loved us before. Now be zealous for the good works that overflow from receiving the gift and love of Christ. Merry Christmas! Pastor Mike
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Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
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