More Than a Children's Story
September 21, 2011
By Trevor Drinen
Today’s reading: Luke 2 NASB
SCRIPTURE
“ Now in those days a decree went
out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And
everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the
city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family
of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was
with child. While they were there, the
days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths,
and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some
shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by
night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of
the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel
said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy
which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been
born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you
will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a
multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the
highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels
had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another,
“Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened
which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their
way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had
seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this
Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the
shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had
heard and seen, just as had been told them.” -Luke 2:1-20 NASB
OBSERVATION
I’ve heard this story countless
times. And if I’m to be 100% honesty -
to some unknown degree to me our western culture has transformed this precious
story about God into a common folklore. Taking a most precious story about God’s love, hope, & grace -- and
giving it a common place as if it was a mere children’s story. This story is so much more than a mere
children’s story. It the Bible was read
verse bye verse and not skimmed through it’s modern day rating would be “PG-13”
if not “R”. What? Why? Battle’s, bloodshed, anger, hate, deception, love,
reconciliation, unity, etc.... Honestly, if it was told / read within that
light - IT’S CAPTIVATING! However, at
most churches it’s dumbed down, censored.... Why? I’m not sure...
Okay, now what? - What comes next? In the midst of my pondering, I hear the
words of a trusted friend Richard Berry, “what’s the better question....” If
I’m are attempting to take something that is common and make it precious again
what questions do I need to ask and have answered?
How did this happened?
That
good - but I think there is a better question.
How
can we not allow precious things to become common?
That’s
also great question.
What
was God’s purpose in sending His son?
Now
that’s a question worth exploring! What was God’s purpose in sending His son?
“For
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world
to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.” - John 3:16-17
“Not to perish” it not merely physical
death as we think of it. The greek text
communicates a much bigger picture. One
the takes in a physical aspect of death but focuses on the aspect of eternal
separation. So that “to perish” or
“to die” would accurately be interpreted as to be separated forever / eternally separated and “eternal life” would then also convoy a principle of eternally being with the one that supplies life.
God’s purpose in sending His son was
for me:
- to not be eternally separate from Him
(“not perish / die”)
- to be eternally with the giver or
source of life.
Another text I need to look at in
attempting to answer my question is:
“Do
not think that I came to abolish the Law & the Prophets; I did not come to
abolish, but to fulfill.” -Matthew
5:17
What is the Law or the Prophets?
The Law, is the whole body of the
Mosaic legislation - 28+ laws are given through out the 1st five books of the
bible (called the Torah) including the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:3-17
(look them up).
What answers to my question can I
establish from this text?
-God’s purpose in sending His son was
for us to fulfill the Law & the Prophets; so that, we would not have to be
conscious of our failure to keep God’s commands.
So, why is it important to us that
Christ fulfilled the Law?
-Because the Law demands for me to make
a payment for each law or command I’ve broken and face the terrible
consequences wrath of God -- possibly eternal separation from Him.
-In modern terminology for not honoring
God, would be translated - “breaking the law” or “sin”
James 4:17 defines “sin” as “to one who knows the right thing to do, and
does not do it, to him it is sin.”
Romans 3:23 states, “for all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God,”
As an individual I live by the gracious
judgment of God declared from heaven, so the sentence of the Law is overruled
and reversed. “He that believe on the Son
has eternal life” -John 3:36.
Once the Gospel has been received by an
individual and they discover an eternal peace from death and the terrors of
hell, the Spirit’s influence is felt. By
no means am I saying that I will stop wrestling with the issues life tosses at
us. It’s through the issues that God
preciously invites me into a genuine growing relationship - one that involves
all the ups, downs, and aspects of a relationship. Its through my relationship with Him that His
Law begins to live in mankind’s heart; I begin to loves it, delight in it. It’s through the point relationship that
Eternal life begins here, and continues as I journey through out this life.
APPLICATION
When I open God’s word I often need to
take the “Perspective” of a student sitting at the feet & learning from
master teachers - struggling to not allow their voices to fall on deaf ears -
fighting to not allow God’s word become “common story” when it holds a key with
eternal significance. What can I walk away with?
A question. A daily challenge. How am I going to make my relationship with
God “Precious” / “Valued” verses just another common thing I do?
PRAYER
I’m amazing at the simplicity and
priceless work You accomplished on the Cross. Thank you, for speaking directly to me as I choose to sit at Your feet -
thank you for empowering me (us) with the incredible gift of “freewill.” Help
me daily aline my heart, my mind, and my life to You - Jesus. Help me make time for that which is most
important - TIME W/ YOU. Continue to
refine and guidance my heart & mind - thank you for being a God that daily
gives me great life lessons. Honestly, YOUR word is one of the most difficult
books to read and at the same time the MOST REWARDING - Thanks. - Trevor