Christmas and the Cross
Gary Waddell – Victory Ministries of Middle Tennessee - 12/17/17
iamnotashamed.com
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Rev 22:13
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matt 1:23
Christmas is the time when we celebrate the birth of our precious LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. Christmas was the Beginning of Jesus’ ministry here on earth and we thank God daily for sending His only begotten Son to live on earth for a short time, to die on the cross for our sins. On earth He had a Beginning (that is why we should celebrate His birth – Christmas) and an End - the Cross. However, Jesus has always been and will always be.
Jesus said He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. The Bible uses the phrase “gave up the ghost” in many verses. It means death – exhaling our last breath on earth. Jesus ‘gave up the ghost’ in John 19:30. He was born on earth to die on earth. Jesus’ gave up His life, willingly, on the cross, to save us from an eternity (un-ending time) in hell. That is love far beyond our comprehension. And many of us, will 'give up the ghost' until Jesus comes to get His own. So we have a beginning which is our birth. However, we will be somewhere for eternity. Heb 9:27 sums it up. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: We all have an appointment to keep no matter how busy we are.
Christmas has become a time when multitudes are celebrating a fat man in a red suit (oh how we have tricked our children!), flying animals, gift giving and gift buying , parties, revelry, and plenty of blasphemous behavior throughout the world. It has become a time for ‘retailers’ to make Glutenous amounts of money without regard for consumers, and they have the help of Hollywood, television, our government, public school systems, and society in general promoting these ungodly efforts. Credit cards will be “maxed out” causing undo stress on millions of familes. But in the end when it comes time for us to meet the Lord, all of the gift exchanging will mean nothing at all. All will know for sure then who He is and what He has done for us. For those who have rejected Jesus in their lives, it will be too late. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt 24:51b). Jesus spoke these words, and for those who refused to serve Him on earth, the Lord will say “depart from Me, I never knew you (Mt 7:23).”
We who are believers in God’s word, and have faith in our Blessed Hope, should be putting away the things of this world and 'come out from among them' (2 Cor 6:17). We should be rejoicing at this time (and always) and be holding this period for Christ, our Lord and Savior. We should be honoring His entire life on earth just as we do now that Jesus sits in heaven. Jesus’ words: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10b). Praise God! Amen! What a promise Jesus has for us! He wants all of us to follow and serve Him faithfully (John 12:26). His Bible makes that clear.
Receiving Jesus is the most important event in anyone’s life (John 1:12-13). That is why Christmas is so important for us as believers. It is a special time to tell others of what He has done for us. And not only about the birth of Jesus on this earth, but the Cross which He took upon Himself to pay the price for all of our sins if we choose to accept that fact. One must make that decision on their own though. If you are reading this, and do not know Him in a personal way, receiving Jesus into one’s heart is a very personal matter and no one can do that for you. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom 10:13).
Once you understand what Christmas is all about, then you will understand the Cross. The two go hand in hand. Christmas ended with the Cross on earth, but Jesus lives forever as He has continually. I am the Alpha and Omega - the beginning and the end (Rev 22:13).
The word 'Cross' is mentioned 28 times in the New Testament of the KJV Bible and it always points to the Cross where Jesus gave His life for us. I am not asking you to “buy or perform” this Christmas, but please know that Jesus Christ is waiting on you to decide (Rev 3:20), "Christmas and the Cross" – OR – the "world and its revelries". It is your choice. Surrender your life and give your burdens to Jesus right now while there is still time. Call ye upon Him while He is near (Isa 55:6).
Now, that, is what Christmas is all about.
Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable Gift 2 Cor 9:15.
Have a blessed & God-filled Christmas
Thanks for "Taking 5" - Gary Waddell - Victory Ministries of Middle Tennessee
iamnotashamed.com - God bless and bless GOD