The Bottom Line
Our third granddaughter, Vivienne, will celebrate her first Christmas this year. When a newborn baby joins the family, it’s a wonderful celebration. When you think of Jesus’ immaculate conception and birth, it was a rather strange way for Him to arrive on earth. We can’t understand how a virgin could conceive and give birth to the Son of God. It was a miracle…and we just believe it.
Jesus came to earth as a baby, grew up to be a man, lived a holy life, and gave His life to save the world from the penalty of sin. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The incarnation of Jesus is defined as “the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ.” This was God’s plan from the beginning.
God provided the solution to our problems through Jesus. The whole world had a sin problem and Jesus was the only One who was qualified to solve it. The only hope for mankind was to make peace with God, so Jesus provided the bridge as man’s Mediator to God. Jesus was equal with God on one hand and identified with mankind on the other.
God took Christ from the holy Trinity in Heaven and placed Him in the womb of a virgin. This is the miracle of what we now call Christmas. When we couldn’t get up to God‘s holiness on our own, He sent Jesus down to our level to bridge the gap. What an awesome, loving, and powerful plan! This Bridge has proven trustworthy and faithful to thousands of witnesses over all these years. Jesus came so that we might be forgiven and eternally reconciled with God the Father. Jesus became human so that we could become holy like Him. He did his part — are you doing yours? Do you believe in Jesus? Are you allowing Him to help you be holy?
Jesus has many wonderful names with significant meanings in the Bible. Before exchanging Christmas gifts, you might consider a new family tradition of reading some of the following scriptures regarding His Name: Exodus 3:14, Psalm 9:10, Psalm 59:16,17, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6,7, Isaiah 44:6, Mark 1:24, Luke 1:31,35, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:34,38, John 1:1,29,41, John 4:42, Acts 10:36, Romans 1:4, 1 Corinthians 2:8, Revelation 5:5, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16, Revelation 22:13,16.
Philippians 2:9 NKJV: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.” His name shall be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” After His death and resurrection, Jesus went back to heaven but sent the Holy Spirit to live in us. He’s here, so will you let Him save you from your sins? He will unite with your spirit and live inside you if you’ll invite Him in.
The Bottom Line: God’s plan to save the world might seem strange, but it was perfect. Don’t you just love it when His plan comes together!
Pastor Jimmy Tucker
(620) 223-1483
Diamond Community Church
2591 Jayhawk Road
10:45 a.m. Worship