Friday, December 27, 2013
Third Christmas Day
Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
CHRISTMAS CONTRASTS: EXPECTATION AND REALITY
In our minds we often equate expectation with reality, especially when it comes to something we want. But because we do this, we are often disappointed that what we expected did not turn out the way we wanted. In truth, there is often a contrast between our expectations and the reality that ensues. I am sure most of us "expected" a particular gift this Christmas; are we disappointed if we have not gotten it? Probably, in some way. Those of you planning and hosting a celebration certainly expect it to go well, but it might not. We especially have to be careful when anticipating things from one another, because it's easy to expect too much. Sinners do not just let God down, we also let one another down.
But what a contrast between us and God! When God promised His own Son as a Savior, as the fulfiller of our greatest need, He delivered in every way. The reality of Jesus was just as great as the long-awaited expectation. And not only this, the Holy Spirit also reveals in these verses that God sent Jesus at exactly the right time. Jesus may not have been everything that people expected from Him. He was not the rebel and zealot on fire to defeat the Romans; He was not the free meal ticket to bring great wealth and riches, and He was not the fake-smiling politician who would just tell people what they wanted to hear.
Jesus came just as He was advertised by God's Word. He was the tender child without fanfare, in the town of His great ancestor David. He was the One adorned with praise from rural shepherds, not kings. He was the One who chose meek commoners as His successors. But it was not just what God foretold about the beginnings of Jesus that rang true in reality. The expectations of His demise, of His final hours, and of His death held true in reality even through it were worse than any imagine. Jesus was the One who subjected Himself under the law, who chose to get His hands dirty by staining them with His very own blood when He took our sins away. But even His death was not the end; God’s promise of salvation came to full bloom on Easter morning with the reality of the empty tomb. And even today, as you remember the fulfilled expectations at Christmas, you can have confidence in what God's Word promises for your final day.
If you are worried about getting what you expect this Christmas, remember that because Jesus came to be born, to suffer, to die, and to rise; you will not be getting the one thing you deserve -- eternal punishment. Through faith in the Christ of Christmas you have the forgiveness of your sins, and it is your greatest gift, not just on Christmas, but every day. Thanks be to our God, that the great expectations we have for Jesus, hold up in reality!
