A Season of Hope
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” (Titus 2:11-13)
The “holiday” season, even with no mention of Jesus, can be fun in a way. People decorate their homes, “holiday” music plays, and people are usually in a better mood as they buy gifts, plan parties, and prepare for the big day. Yet without Jesus, the “holiday” season is just a fun season, and nothing more. It ends on December 26 or January 1, and the decorations go back into storage until the following year.
For many people, the “holiday” season may not even be a good time. It may be a sad reminder of a loved one who has died. Someone they love may be in prison. They may have just gone through an ugly divorce (is there such a thing as a non-ugly divorce?), and the ex-spouses have to figure out who gets the kids and when. Finances may be tight due to job cuts, or because a loved one is addicted to gambling, liquor, or drugs, and the “holiday” season is just an expense they’d rather not have to deal with.
Yet the Christmas season is far different. It is a fun holiday, but it is also the celebration of a promise kept that was made long ago. After Adam and Eve sinned, God promised a Redeemer would come who would restore mankind to fellowship with God. The promise was made in the words to the serpent: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15) That “seed of the woman” would be Jesus.
The Redeemer was previewed in the Old Testament. Abraham’s sacrifice of his son Isaac is a picture of God giving His only begotten Son to die for us. The blood on Hebrew doorposts in Egypt is a picture of Jesus’ blood that saves us from eternal death. Isaiah foretold the Redeemer would be born of a virgin: “…Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
Finally, in His time, God kept His promise: “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,” (Galatians 4:4) Jesus, being God the Son, never sinned. He even asked His enemies, “Which of you convinceth me of sin?” (John 8:46) None of them could.
Sin alienates us from God: “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God,” (Isaiah 59:2) Sin condemns us to death and hell: “For the wages of sin is death;” (Romans 6:23) “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14) Jesus, being sinless, did not deserve death. Yet He “…bare our sins in his own body on the tree,” (1 Peter 2:24) He died for us, was buried, and rose again: “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen;” (Revelation 1:18)
Jesus ascended into heaven and is alive today. He still forgives sins, saves souls, and changes lives for all who receive Him: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12) He also promised His believers that one day He would return and we would have personal fellowship with Him: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)
Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822