by Kevin Burton
You can say Jesus is the “reason for the season” if you want. That’s not wrong. But that’s not all.
“The season,” ostensibly one to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, has long since been transformed into a time of greed and covetousness. I won’t be climbing on that soap box just now, as my voice would be drowned out anyway by the inexorable ringing of the cash registers.
Instead I want to look at a question raised in a recent article from Dr. Charles Stanley, the late founder of the In Touch radio ministry.
Who is Jesus?
That’s a great place to start isn’t it? (But stay tuned, I will have a second question later.) If He’s the reason for the season, who is He?
Now that discussion could and should go on forever. But we’ll start where Stanley did, with the apostle John’s writing in the book of Revelation.
“John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.”
“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,’ says the Lord, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’” (Rev. 1 4-8 NKJV).
Now let’s break down what Stanley calls “the wondrous nature of Jesus Christ to the beautiful essentials of who He is.”
Jesus is the faithful witness. He came to earth to more fully reveal the character and ways of His Father. Jesus’ miracles proved His claim to be the Son of God.
“Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9 NKJV).
Jesus is the firstborn from the dead. The Savior bore our sins, died on the cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day. His resurrection proved that eternal life is possible for us, too, which is what Jesus taught when He said, ‘He who believes in Me will live even if he dies.’”
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.’” (John 11:25 NKJV).
Jesus is the ruler of the kings of earth. The Lord raises men to power, and it is also He who removes them.
“And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.” (Dan. 2:21 NKJV).
Jesus loves us and, by His blood, freed us from our sins. The Lord’s love is ever-present. He has freed believers from their past. Sin’s penalty and power have both been broken by His sacrifice.”
“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood (Rev. 1:5b NKJV).
In commercial Christmas, Jesus is a baby in a manger, a symbol of good feelings, good intentions, a heart-tug of nostalgia perhaps.
The Bible says Jesus grew up from that scene to accomplish greater things.
Which leads me to a second question, what is your response? What will you do with Jesus? Won’t you call upon Jesus today?
“In just a few sentences, John describes Christ’s character, divinity, and authority. This Christmas season, may appreciation of who Jesus is fill us with joy and gratitude,” Stanley wrote.
“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21 NKJV).
Page 7 