The Real Christ Makes a Real Difference
Jesus was born in the days of Herod the King. (Matt. 2:1)
Matt. 2:1-12; Micah 5:2; Gal. 4:4; Eph. 1:10; John 8:12, 16:33; Heb. 13:5; I John. 4:18; 5:13
What Is God Saying?
Jesus was born at a precise time in a particular place. His coming into the world is a part of history, and His effect on the world is the heart of history. He is not the fantasy of a fanatic zealot. He is not a premise of a philosopher's sophistry. He is not an unidentified flying object that arouses speculative fears. He was, and He is real! There was a land of His birth. It was under the heel of Rome. His parents had to make a real journey to a real place to be a part of an actual census in His earthly father's ancestral town. They had to do this by order of the tax-hungry Caesar Augustus.
Jesus was born in the days of Herod the King. It was absolute purity in the form of a humble baby confronting the absolute corruption of a powerful king. It was the pure light of dawn coming to confront and conquer the world's nighttime of cruelty, brutality, and jealous fears, of which Herod was an all-time classic example. The birth of Jesus brought Wise Men on a long journey, and they made a joyful discovery, but His coming was also a threat to King Herod in nearby Jerusalem. Herod never found Jesus, but the news of Jesus' coming found him.
How Does This Apply To Us?
The coming of Jesus always calls for a choice. The Wise Men came to worship the newborn King. They came to honor the Child and to give Him loving gifts. Herod, on the other hand, was determined to take the life of the Baby. The Wise men acted in loving gratitude. The king reacted in a jealous rage, culminating in the slaughter of innocent children. The same Christ who prompted the adoration and love of the Wise Men still receives indifference, resentment, and sometimes hatred and ridicule from the unbelieving world.
Each of us must choose between Christ, who brings love and truth to the world, and the world, which scorns real love and truth. ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,’ a real Child in a real world with real enemies. By believing in Him (making our choice for Him), we will be saved. We will be saved in the world and from the world. Best of all, we have eternal life. There we have it: a tiny Baby, a Mighty, and loving Savior, whose coming can remove all darkness in the light of His Word, subdue all fears by the power of His love, and bring all humble and believing souls to heaven for eternity.
Pray With Me
Our Father God, in the fullness of time, You sent Your Son so that all people could see the light of Your truth and feel the warmth of Your love. How timely it was that Jesus came in the days of Herod the king. Murderous hate ruled His heart, so he ruled the kingdom. Then Jesus came to release from the grip of hatred all who believe. He came to bring the world back from the disorienting power of sin. He came to show life and to be life in a world headed for death and destruction. The Babe in the manger caused the king on the throne to tremble. The smallest Light met the greatest darkness and prevailed.
Jesus still comes in life's darkest hours. I count on Him to speak to me. I know my heart's proud and often deceitful thoughts will not thwart Him. I know He will not turn back in the face of entrenched evil. I know He can turn the darkest night into the brightest dawn and calmly prevail over all that exalts itself against God, whether in the world or in my heart. Come, Lord Jesus, when grief is overwhelming, doubt is mounting, and darkness is gathering. Let Your coming remove all rival passions from my heart. Come as You did in the days of Herod, to dispel all darkness by the light of Your Word, subdue all fear by Your Spirit's might, and bring all humble and believing souls to Heaven's holy bliss.
For the sake of Your glory. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Jesus was born. His coming brought life and light that no kind of darkness can overcome.
• Not the darkness of fear-’There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear’ (I John 4: 18).
• Not the darkness of doubt- ’ I write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life’ (I John 5:13).
• Not the darkness of disappointment- ‘We know that in everything God works for good, with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose’ (Romans 8:28).
• Not the darkness of loneliness or rejection- ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5).
• Not the darkness of guilt- ‘Neither do I condemn you, go and do not sin again’ (John 8:11).
We go into prayer confidently, holding these promises. We continue fervently, even joyously, because we are talking and walking with a winner: ‘In the world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33).
