Monday, January 5, 2009
Twelfth Christmas Day
John 3:16 . . . whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
THE GENTILES' CHRISTMAS EVE
For many years through the Old Testament, God's plan of salvation was tied to the descendants of one man -- Abraham. It was to be from his descendants (Isaac, Jacob, etc.) that the long awaited Messiah was to come.
The festival of Epiphany, celebrated tomorrow on January 6th, helps to remind us that while it is true that "salvation is of the Jews," as Jesus Himself said (John 4:22), salvation is not only for those who had direct physical ties to Abraham. Eternal life is for all who believe, for "whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
Those Magi, or wise men, who came to Jerusalem to worship the King of the Jews, were themselves not Jews. They were Gentiles (non-Jews) who came to bow before Jesus and give Him their gifts.
We too are not Jews. We are Gentiles along with the wise men. And so we read the account of the visit from the Magi as recorded in Matthew 2 with great excitement. For as we see those Gentiles welcomed in worshiping their Lord, praising Him who had come to die for their sins, so you and I can know that He has also come for us! We rejoice as did Peter when he said, "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him . . . is accepted by Him" (Acts 10:34-35).
All praise to Jesus who has come as Savior of all!
