For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:6-7
Over the Christmas period, there will be many times that we are called to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, but how many of our lives does this really have a lasting and consistent impact on? I’m not necessarily talking about unbelievers here, but I include those who are Christians too. I will be the first to admit that I do not constantly live my life in a way that truly reflects the present rule of Jesus Christ in my life, as to my shame, I am far too easily distracted by temporal things. What is more, during the Christmas period, this tendency I have to seek first the needs of my flesh, well it can be multiplied greatly at this time of year.
If we listen to the multitudes of those around us who have no faith in Christ, or even to those who only offer lip service to Him as a foolish safeguard, there is a general attitude that if I’m perfectly honest, at times I can also display without realising. This attitude manifests itself when we seem unable to relate what happened in the story of the Bible so long ago to our daily life today. After all, how often have we heard the Christmas story of the baby Jesus being born in a stable in Bethlehem two thousand years ago? How many school nativity plays have we seen or played a part in, when we have witnessed the three wise men bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh? How many times have we seen the shepherds being addressed by the angel Gabriel, who is usually a six year old dressed in a sheet? It’s hardly surprising then how so many of us fail to see the relevance to us today, and somehow over time get inoculated to the Gospel message generally.
At the risk of sounding more like the Grinch than a joyful Christian filled with the Christmas spirit, I think it’s crucially important that we realise just who this babe in a manger was in ancient Bethlehem, and precisely what it was He was born to accomplish. He wasn’t just some chap who was born over two thousand years ago, who lived for thirty three years, was killed upon a Roman cross, had the whole world change their dating system because of His birth, and then give each other presents each year to celebrate His birthday. As the prophet Isaiah says in the opening passage of scripture, He is Mighty God Himself, ruling and reigning over His Kingdom now and forevermore, giving eternal and everlasting peace to those who are now called to dwell in His Kingdom by faith. The peace they are given lies beyond the grasp of even the greatest adversity this world may throw at them, for in Jesus’ own words; “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
What judgment is this? It is the judgment of God Almighty against sin. At a time when only He Himself knows, His great wrath will fall upon the devil, his fallen angels, and all men, regardless of race, creed or colour, who have joined them in their sinful rebellion against the One true God and Creator of all. In that day, all who have died in their sins will be judged by a vengeful God, with all grace removed permanently. The next time any of us see Jesus Christ, it will not be as a helpless babe in a manger, or as a seemingly helpless victim nailed to a wooden cross. But we will see Him as He is now, in all His glory, as the apostle John writes so eloquently in the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ:
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Rev 19:11-16
Elsewhere in the revelation given to the apostle John, we read of the sheer terror that will strike the hearts of those who see His coming in the clouds, and yet do not have the peace of knowing His wrath will not fall upon them:
The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Rev 6:14-17
For the Christmas story to truly have a real impact on our lives today, it is necessary that we have a clear understanding of who Jesus Christ is. Note the tense, IS and not WAS. Two thousand years ago the Son of God clothed Himself with mortal flesh in humility, and gave His life as the only redeeming sacrifice for the sins of mankind, that was acceptable to Almighty God. We are told by His Word that all who call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved, and that none who are His shall ever be lost, but shall be raised to eternal life on the Last Day. Let us call upon His name for salvation today, lest tomorrow be too late, and the Mighty and Glorious One we see coming in the clouds be as our Judge and not our Redeemer.
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