Satisfying Savior

How I loved my Nanny's homemade fudge, and we only got it at Christmas! You [too] most likely have special delicacies of the Season. Mary sang, "He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty." (Luke 1:53). Her words spoke of a particular hunger: something offering more than temporary satisfaction, outlasting time and space. The psalmist also wrote of such satisfaction: "You will show me the path of Life; in Your Presence is fullness of joy: in Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11).  Jesus Himself promised, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied." (Matthew 5:6).  Mary sang with a deep satisfaction, anticipating God's Satisfaction in her son, The Son.  Perhaps as she stood and wept at the cross, she realized the Fullness of Joy, her [and mankind's]  complete Satisfaction. Are you hungry? If so, for what do you hunger?  Look to The Cross and know the ... Satisfying Savior.

God's Love Story

Some of our grandchildren were proud-as-punch to show me their invisible ink; I didn't have the heart to tell them that stuff's as old as I am! Do you remember what God said of His choice of a king for His people ... "I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after My heart, who will do all My will." (Acts 13:22, ESV). From the little town of Bethlehem came King David, God's choice of a king; years later, from that same obscure little town [of Bethlehem] came The King of all kings. First, born in a manger but most significantly born-again in the hearts of all who receive Him! Francesca Battistelli sings, "Make my heart Your Bethlehem - Be born in me." I'm confident no writer could have woven together as great or a more beautiful story than The Father's through His Son, Jesus Messiah: from the heart of The Father to hearts in need. For all the world to see and to know, The Father's Message of eternal love and rescue. It was and is ... God's love story.

It's Personal

Now, if time-travel was possible and you could be injected into Luke's account of Jesus' birth, where would you choose to be? I’ve pondered this and without hesitation, I would travel to the fields outside Bethlehem; there, where shepherds “watched their flocks by night … and lo, the angel of the LORD appeared” (Luke 2:8-9). Think about it: the last group an earthly king would give audience would be a group of lowly shepherds yet they are the ones whom The King of Glory chose to deliver His “good tidings of great joy to all people” (V.11). How evident The Gospel was for all people! The angel’s next words should ignite personal delight in every heart: “For unto you” ... unto you ... that is, for you and for me, a personal Savior! "Unto you" is as personal as it gets! Emmanuel – God with us – The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), meaning  "to pitch a tent" a reminder of the Old Testament tabernacle where God met with man. A Savior for all people - A Savior Who is personal. What a time to consider just how personal He is to you!

Treasure for Treasure

What fun to watch little ones open Christmas packages! We are sometimes humbled by their fascination with the box instead of the gift itself. Do you wonder what the young child Jesus thought of the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh? After all, what are such riches to The One Who posses the "cattle on a thousand hills" (Psalm 50:10)! One of the biggest challenges we face as Believers today is how we wrongly identify our treasures. With a a quick point-and-click, we see and get whatever our eyes or hearts desire. Before too long, however, that "treasure" blends into the wood-work and is gathering dust. Some treasure it is. "... And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." (Matthew 2:9b-11 ESV). You know what made the "wise men" so wise? They were treasure-seekers, and they were divinely led to the real Treasure - The Child, Jesus. It was fitting then that they offered their most treasured things ... gold, frankincense, myrrh ... laying them before Him. How willingly are we to set aside, lay-down, give-up, sacrifice things that have captured our hearts? Jesus needs nothing from me, from you; what He desires most is my heart, your heart. When Jesus is our Treasure [like the wise men], we will worship Him then offer-up to Him what possesses us. We delightfully give up ... treasure for Treasure. 

Promised - Delivered

When a promise is made, child-like faith never entertains the idea the promise it will be broken. Sadly, we live in a world where promises are not kept, therefore, certainty is a precious treasure.  Following the birth of his son, John [the Baptist], Zechariah said, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people and has raised up a horn of Salvation for us ... to show the Mercy promised ..." (Luke 1:68, 69, 72). Mercy promised - Jesus, Child of Bethlehem surpassed all expectations: "Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give Light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of Peace." (V.78-79).  God promise of Mercy alone is a wonder but the promise [of Mercy] kept -- amazing still!  Lost and undone, Salvation with all its riches promised and delivered free to all who believe. A confident and absolute Certainty is Who the angel announced to the shepherds. Mercy promised - Mercy delivered!