The Offense of Christmas

 

“What effect do hearts and lives made holy through Jesus have? They have the ability to change an entire family, city, nation and the world.”

Christmas naturally provides opportunities to talk about Jesus with people. On one such occasion I was driving along with a friend who was not religious. I asked “So do you believe in the existence of Jesus as a historical figure?” He said, “Yes.” I also questioned, “Do you believe Jesus died?” He remembered the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and acknowledged how brutal the Roman torture was, and stated “The Romans were ruthless. He definitely would have suffered mortal wounds.” I addressed the resurrection, “Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead?” He paused then doubted the writings of the New Testament that testify to it. “What about the belief that Jesus is God?” He questioned the possibility of it, then quickly mentioned how he fully agreed with the moral teachings of Jesus. (image by Santa Vectors by Vecteezy)

For many, when they have conversations about Christmas, it turns to a discussion of family gatherings, school programs and holiday decorations. But for true Christians it is much different. It is centered around Jesus; that He was sent by the Creator God from heaven to earth; that His birth was miraculous and a historical fact; that He grew up to become the world’s greatest teacher, spiritual leader and miracle worker; that He died by sacrificing Himself for the salvation of all mankind; that He conquered sin and death by miraculously rising from the dead. This Jesus, the divine Son of God, is worshipped by people all over the world at Christmastime in remembrance for who He is and what He has done.

Even though the discussion about Jesus with my friend was pleasant, there are other times, when the Christ of Christmas is divisive. This time every year, many attempt to ban Jesus from His own holiday and replace Him with elves, reindeer and lavish spending. The area of tension is found in public settings, where officials do not want Jesus to offend school or university students. And in business arenas, where owners do not want to offend customers. The offense of Jesus goes beyond this and to world religions. Judaism, Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons and even atheists – they all have one thing in common. They do not acknowledge Jesus as the divine Son of God or celebrate Christmas in honor of Him.

What is at the heart of this effort to expunge Jesus from Christmas? The deity of Christ. The fact of Jesus’ miraculous birth, life and resurrection all clearly reveal He was more than just a mere man, but divine. And this truth has far reaching implications. It means Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords and must be submitted to. It is a truth that commands allegiance. It is a truth that changes everything.

We see this illustrated with King Herod in the Christmas story. After Herod heard about a baby boy that had been born as King of the Jews through wise men whom were seeking to find and worship Him, Herod sought to find and kill Him. He wanted to be rid of Jesus. Why? Because He posed a threat. The wise men did not think the same. They traveled from afar, and brought gifts to honor the baby King. He was no offense to them.

Jesus once said, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46) From the divinity of Jesus comes a blazing light. It pierces through a world steeped in darkness. The shining light was displayed in full measure on the night of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem nearly 2,000 years ago.

The light of Jesus’ deity and peoples need for His saving power, offends them. They try to hide from it, or even work to eliminate it, but cannot. Yet, in His kindness and mercy, Jesus still calls out that they might know Him through His covenant love.

A prayer for you – Lord God, we praise you for the Christ of Christmas. We praise you, that He was more than just a man, but God Himself walking among us. This Christmas, may people see His divine light and turn to Him with all their heart and be saved from their sin. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Coming King of Christmas

“What effect do hearts and lives made holy through Jesus have? They have the ability to change an entire family, city, nation and the world.”

In times of crisis, whether it be a financial collapse, rising crime, political in-fighting, moral failures among the influential, the blood shed from war or wide spread corruption, people naturally want change. History is replete with renowned figures that rose from obscurity in eras of uncertainty to influence a nation or affect the world. No matter what a person’s political or religious affiliation is, during a crisis, they just simply want things to turn around. (Image from Motion Worship)

This is why in the course of human history God would routinely intervene in national and world affairs by raising up a chosen messenger to bring about change. One such man was King David. When he was young, he was anointed by God to be Israel’s future king. “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward.” (1 Samuel 13:13) As the years went by, young David rose to prominence and fulfilled God’s mission leading Israel toward its greatest years. 

During his reign God made this promise to him, “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16) What a promise! But how is that possible? For David knew he would eventually be laid to rest like all others. 

David understood that his promised eternal reign would obviously not be himself, but through his future lineage. He believed that through generations yet born, there would always be a king from his line. But more so, he wisely understood there would eventually arise from his line, a King greater than himself and all others, whom would reign forever. 

And who was that future king? 

On the first Christmas Day there was born a baby from the line of David. His name was Jesus. His birth was foretold centuries earlier by Isaiah, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:22-23) Jesus grew up to become the greatest spiritual leader in Israel’s history, and eventually gave Himself to die on a cross and rise again for the people of Israel, and the whole world. He once said of Himself, “I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” (Revelation 22:16) And the angels of heaven declared that Jesus was the Anointed One spoken about in David’s promise, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 11:15)    

Like Jesus’ ancestor, David, He was a King and came as a Deliverer. However, David was a king of a physical nation who sought to deliver his countrymen from their surrounding enemies. Conversely, Jesus came not to set up and rule over a physical kingdom, but a spiritual one. 

Let me ask, why do nations go to war? Why is there crime and rampant immorality? Why are there crises? Because of evil in the hearts of people. However, Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection provided a pathway for people to be delivered from this indwelling evil. When they meet His conditions of faith and repentance, they can be instantaneously made new. 

What effect do hearts and lives made holy through Jesus have? They have the ability to change an entire family, city, nation and the world.

And one day this will happen. He came the first time as a baby, but He has promised to return a second time as a divine Warrior. Then He will physically deliver the whole world from His enemies and set up a physical kingdom where He will reign forever.

This Christmas, enter into Jesus’ kingdom. Trust Him with your whole being and be made new!      

A prayer for you – Lord God, thank you for Christmas and the hope of deliverance from sin it brings. Examine our hearts to see if there be any evil within us. Then help us to earnestly call upon Jesus to be forgiven. In His name. Amen.   

Admit You Have an Alcohol Problem

“You have to decide. You cannot have both God and the bottle. It can only be one or the other. Which will it be?”

A man visited with me, talking about his problem with alcohol. After listening for a while, I looked him in the eye and firmly stated, “You have to decide. You cannot have both God and the bottle. It can only be one or the other. Which will it be?” (Photo by Bence Boros on Unsplash)

The man I talked with is part of a larger problem. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics,10% of all Americans 12 years and older are alcoholics, and of those over 60% are men. And for many it is deadly, where 385 lives are ended every day due to alcohol.   

The millions who abuse alcohol are part of a long and storied history dating back over 3,000 years to a man named Noah. History records him as being the first person to plant a vineyard, make his own wine and booze it up until he became humankind’s first drunk.    

The biblical story recounts Noah as drinking alone in his tent, where the alcohol overtook him, then he disrobed and passed out on the floor without a stitch of clothes on. The incident caused embarrassment and division within the family. 

Let me point out, this was Noah, the one whom God chose to be His voice to the world leading up to the 40-day global flood. He was the one about which the Bible says, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless…Noah walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9)

It does not matter if you are a well-respected clergyman, or are in constant trouble with the law. Noah’s story tells us that anyone can fall prey to the temptation of the bottle.

Why did Noah drink? Why do others? Perhaps someone might be thinking, “It goes good with my meal,” “I like the taste,” “I just want to have some fun with a few friends,” or “It’s been a stressful day and I just want to relax.” For many, their intentions are likely innocent. For others, not so much. They have to drink, because they cannot control it. Instead, it controls them. What starts out as one drink, turns into two, three and soon the person is feeling tipsy, buzzed, and then full-blown drunk. 

God says about alcohol, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”  (Proverbs 20:1)

Have you ever been a little woozy or totally drunk? Are you able to go a day, week or month without a drink and have no physical symptoms? After drinking have you ever quietly passed out like Noah, or became loud, obnoxious and abusive around others?

If you cannot go without alcohol, then it has a grip on you. I urge you to get help. Recognize you have a problem. 

Some people go to great lengths to make the Bible sound as if God supports the abuse of alcohol. They are terribly mistaken! The practice of drunkenness is condemned by God. The Scripture says, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery…” (Ephesians 5:18) And what is drunkenness? Our laws may equate blood alcohol concentration with certain numbers, but according to God, drunkenness occurs when alcohol hits the blood stream and it begins to intoxicate you affecting your mind and body. God’s view of drunkenness is much different than ours. 

You have a choice. You do not have to be a slave to the bottle. You can be free, and freedom begins with Jesus. He died and rose again that through Him you might overcome. If you need help do these three things. First, call upon Jesus with all your heart to be delivered. Second, contact a local pastor. Third, call 1-800-662-4357, which is a national alcohol treatment hotline. 

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for the one who is controlled by alcohol. Let this be the start of a new day for them. Bring them to confess their sin of drunkenness to you. May they reach toward the heavens in totally brokenness, crying out to you for complete and instant deliverance. Do a miracle today, O God! In Jesus’ name. Amen.”