THE CRADLE, THE CROSS, AND THE CROWN
“Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) Almost a thousand years later, the angel Gabriel came to Mary and said, “Behold you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son and shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:31)
THE CRADLE - He wasn’t just another baby
The angel came to Joseph and said, “She will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matt 1:18-21)
We don’t have to look too far to see that there are great problems in the world today. But the greatest problem is the human heart. This causes people to break God’s laws and principles, bringing havoc upon themselves and others.
Jesus’ very name implies his mission. A psychiatrist cannot save you from your sins; neither can money, position, or fame; neither can Buddha, Mohammed, or the President. They all need a Saviour, just like you and me! No wonder the angels rejoiced at Jesus’ birth! “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)
THE CROSS - God’s way of bringing us back to himself
Christmas cannot truly be appreciated without the cross. Christ’s cross and the resurrection stand as man’s only hope. In His death Jesus paid the price for man’s sin, but in His resurrection, He conquered him who had the power of death, that is the devil. (John 1:29, Isa. 53:6) “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” (Rev.1:18) Through the cross we are not just forgiven but raised to walk in newness of life! “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal 2:20)
THE CROWN - Jesus is coming again
Not as a babe in a manger this time, or as a suffering saviour hanging on a cross - but as the KING of KINGS and the LORD of LORDS! Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world.” (John 18:37)
Jesus was born to be King! And just as He came into the world that Christmas day approximately 2023 years ago, so He wants to come into every one of our hearts today. “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev 11:15) As he is coming again to rule and reign on earth, so he wants to rule and reign in your heart and your life today!!
He is coming back for His church. Are you ready? Would he say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord”? (Matt 25:21)
A very Blessed Christmas and a Victorious New Year to our World-Wide Victory Family!
~ Drs. George & Hazel Hill ~