[Relief of Nativity, Cathedral St. Peter, Worms, Germany]
"..there is actually a seamless connection between the four major events of Jesus' life: His birth, death, resurrection, and ascension. All four events stand or fall together. At the same time each event had its own unique role to play. ....Paul ..wrote in Romans 4:25: "[Jesus] was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." It is not that the resurrection accomplished our justification--Jesus' sinless life and sin bearing death did that--but rather it assures us of our justification. It was God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead (Rom. 8:11), and by that act God declared that Christ's atoning sacrifice had been accepted. The penalty for our sins was paid in full. The resurrection was God's declaration that He had cancelled the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands (Col. 2:14).
....So as you celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas, remember His birth is only the first of the four major events of His life." -Jerry Bridges, From Tabletalk Magazine, December 2008.
This article by Dr. Bridges was actually focused mainly on the resurrection of Jesus, but I extracted some excerpts which fit with my heart, that Christmas is about a Savior, not just a King being born. Surely Jesus was the King of the universe even before He was born under God's law and of Mary. But now Jesus is THE King of all kings of all time. A perfect mighty King; a righteous and merciful King. A King who is equally God, and most important for us sinners, equally a Savior. And what a Savior He is!
6 comments:
your blogs are so insiteful, I thank you every time I read them!
Thanks mommanator. Nice motorcycle. I had a 1973 Honda 350 way back when, and really enjoyed biking around.
My favorite meditation this Advent season has been about who Jesus was, and what He was doing before the incarnation.
At Easter, it seems that the more I use lent to dive into the details of Christ's suffering and death, the sweeter and more impactful the resurrection account is realized. I think that a similar phenomenon occurs with the exploration of the Lord's pre-incarnate existance as a backdrop to that marvelous thing that happened in Bethlehem 2000 years ago.
Good thoughts Craver. Refreshing thoughts really.
I often wonder why it is that only 2 gospels mention the birth of Jesus, while all 4 discuss His death and resurrection.
Certainly, His birth was foretold in the prophets - but His death and resurrection both were adamantly foretold and foreshadowed through the Old Testament....
His second coming even has more influence and reference in scripture than does His birth.
Just noting...I find that interesting.
John did mention in the beginning was the Word, and the Word became flesh.
But you're right that only Matthew & Luke give us the Christmas story, and both give us different details as well.
God gives His word to His prophets and apostles as He purposed.
All the Epistles of Paul as well don't mention Christ's birth as Matthew and Luke.
The thing is, all Scripture is important and God breathed. We need to live by every word that God has breathed upon the Holy Writ.
Frank Turk wrote a nice Christmas post on Teampyro using the Gospel of Mark.
Thanks for the good thoughts Chris.
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