A Savior Is Born

In this Christmas season, a nation and the world listen to God’s Word: “A Savior Is Born”. In my commutes in the Washington, D.C. area, I have learned that traffic is a great time to listen to God’s Word (YouVersion Bible), great teaching on the radio (WAVA 105.1), and great praise (PRAISE104.1 FM). In fact, I have had the pleasure of hearing two great teachers (Chuck Swindoll, and Ron Moore) teach on the same passage on the same day I thought it was significant that I heard the same message twice in one day. The passage is in Nehemiah where Nehemiah gathered the nation of Israel together to hear the scriptures being read. Nehemiah 8:1-3 (KJV) 
 
And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. 2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
 
The entire nation of Israel as it existed at that time stood and listened to God’s Word being read to them. This was at a time that they had just returned from exile in Babylon, and had just completed building the wall. As Chuck Swindoll pointed out, there was no personality involved here. Ezra simply read the Word, and the Nation responded. The nation made a vow to respond to God’s Word. In this Holiday Season, please don’t get distracted or even discouraged by all of the Holiday festivities. That’s just culture. But let’s look past the culture for a moment and look at the focus, and the reason for Jesus’ birth. This is central.  At this time of the year, more than any other time, the entire nation, and in fact the world, is listening to what God is saying.  Imagine the entire world listening to God’s Word as He tells us the story of the Birth of His Son.  Right now, it would be very difficult for us to physically stand at the temple gate and hear Ezra’s message, but it is possible for all of us to listen and to see using the internet. We have to remember that the message is Jesus.
 
In these modern times, no one says it better that the character “Linus” in the “Charlie Brown” Christmas video, when he quotes the Book of Luke, (Luke 2:1-14, KJV):
 
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
 
In this scripture, we see the Temple again, when Mary and Joseph show up with the Baby Jesus.  As J. Vernon McGee points out, they bring turtledoves which was the appropriate offering for those who were not wealthy. They most probably show up here at the “Women’s Gate”.  This is the Gate where Jewish women show up to give offerings, in accordance to the Mosaic Law. See Wikipedia Article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_in_Jerusalem).
 
(Luke 2: 22–38) And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.  And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:  For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.  And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
 
Jesus is always so eloquent, He showed up at the temple. Can you imagine the patience of these two people who recognized who this baby was, and that they that they needed Jesus to solve sin? They recognized what their problem was. Their problem was not sacrifice, ceremony, or ritual, it was sin, and the only solution was Jesus. They also did something else that was very important:  They worshipped. Worship means to assign value to the object of worship. Simeon, and Anna assigned worth to the baby Jesus, and they worshipped and praised God for what they got to see.
 
This is where we need to be. All of our lives, we have heard the story of the baby Jesus, but what is crucial is our reaction. We have to recognize the baby Jesus in the story as our Savior, and our Lord. We have to respond, specifically, we have to worship Jesus as Lord.
 
 
 
Let’s continue this conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and now on LinkedIn. 
 

Pastors Willie and Rochelle McIntosh