2010-12-23 - The Mission Begins

Christmas Impressions

John 18:37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." (NASB)

The hymn writer opens, "He left the splendor of Heaven, knowing His destiny was the lonely hill called Golgotha, there to lay down his life for me" (If That Isn't Love, Dottie Rambo, Vista, 1969). He hid His true divine nature without losing it. There were glimpses of His power. He commanded the dead to rise, sickness and demons to flee and the storm to be silent - and all obeyed His voice. And still He submitted to 39 lashes and crucifixion at the hands of His creation to complete the plan and rescue them.

Jesus came with a mission to bear witness to the truth. The truth of God's love for His creation had become veiled behind rules, rituals, politics and the struggle of everyday life. Jesus came to make straight the crooked paths - to make the truth clear to us again. The Lord told simple stories that the people would understand and remember that reflected that truth. He spoke with anyone who would listen and answered those who would ridicule the message. He answered truly to the blind guides and to the leadership of the world.

He asked if it was possible for an any other way to finish the mission but humbled Himself to the plan. He stayed the course even to death.

He came to satisfy the law - to live a perfect life and to die in our place. He left the glory that was rightfully His to come and be born of a virgin and to be wrapped in frail human flesh. He was tempted just as we are and did not stumble even once. In this Jesus became the perfect sacrificial lamb without spot or wrinkle on Passover to break the power of sin once and for all. In His resurrection He broke the power of death and opened the door to Heaven for all who would believe His message. In the Temple the answer from the vendors in the market was always, "The price is fair." The answer from Heaven became, "The price is paid."

And it all started in a manger probably full of straw swaddled in rags in Bethlehem. This is where Jesus humbled Himself to show us the love of the Father and to save us from sin that held us captive. He completed His mission and gave us the chance to accept Him as Lord and Savior to free us. He came for us when we were still enemies and because we could not help ourselves.

If that isn't love then nothing is or ever will be.

Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come " And let the one who hears say, "Come " And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. (NASB)

Merry Christmas.

Grace & Peace,
Mike

 jmhoskins@gmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org