River of Life Alliance Church
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).
In this simple announcement, the Angels were affirming who Jesus Christ in truth, and what he came for. It made clear first of all, that He was born, that is, Jesus Christ was (and is) fully human. He was born into a specific place- the City of David-as and time (this day) in history. He was born for a specific purpose- He came to be the Savior, (Greek- soter- his calling, his purpose as the one who accomplished salvation) who is Christ (Greek Christos- for Messiah, anointed one) the Lord (Greek- Kurios), a term used for God, and for Christ because He, Jesus, is the second person of the trinity and His standing is co-equal with God. In other words, Jesus, the eternal God, came into history born as a human in this place that was prophesied long ago is the fully human one,who is the promised Messiah, He is God. He came for a specific purpose, to seek and to save that which was lost; He will save people from their sins.
Today, the very reason that I am striving to emphasize the truth of who Christ is that sometimes there are those whom like to remove even one of those important terms, and we change who He is and what he has accomplished, and where He is, and in what form. The simple angelic announcement was VERY clear. But there are men, false teachers, who will take away the term 'Lord' thus saying He is not our Master, because He is not really God.
They will take away Christ, saying that He was not the Messiah, the Chosen one. They will take away Savior, indicating that he was some sort of example in His dying rather than the One who saved us from our sins. In doing so, they change the nature of the gift of God, and the very message of Christmas.
This is the great news of Christmas: God sent Jesus Christ, not to remain as a precious babe, but to be a King that would conquer death through His sacrifice on the Cross. As fully man, He could die for our sins. As fully God, He could bear the full wrath of God for our sins. Jesus is the greatest gift that was ever given to this undeserving race. The gift of Jesus Christ means that undeserving sinners like me and like you can be washed clean of our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ. For many, it is not the gift they want, but it is the gift that they need in order to be forgiven. He is the gift that was carefully planned out by God Himself to fulfill the requirements of righteousness and holiness, without which we cannot see Him.
As a gift, it is free to those to whom it is given. It must however be received and applied to our account. The gift comes wrapped in human flesh, made like one of us, tempted in every way yet without sin. Inside the package is full deity, able to look with compassion, do miracles, see the thoughts of man, and able to bear the weight of the wrath of God poured out for sin. Oh what a mighty God and Father! Oh what a perfect Son! Oh what a precious Spirit!
What a great God, three in one!
May you receive this gift with thanksgiving this Christmas.