11/20/19 – Pastor Brian’s Blog –
Judy and I picked up some things at Hobby Lobby the other day and to my amazement the place was filled with Christmas items. Christmas items already on sale! It seems like we have jumped from Halloween right to Christmas. As I was thinking about what to write today, I thought, well if it is good enough for Hobby Lobby then it is good enough for me. So without further ado, let’s talk Christmas.
What do you think, when you read… “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)?
What does it mean to you to have “The Word,” Jesus, become flesh? From the flesh perspective, Jesus became like me. He was tempted like me, He got a cold like me, He was hungry like me, (although I am sure He never overate like me) and people irritated Him sometimes, just like they do me.
Although many people seeking to be our president are telling us that they can understand our pain and our struggles; does anyone really think they do? Yet because the Word became Flesh, Jesus does…. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin. Hebrews 4:15
When Jesus became flesh, He became like us. In many ways He was just an ordinary guy, so ordinary that if people found Jesus walking in the mall, they wouldn’t say, “Look! That must be Jesus!” Or if Jesus was to come to our church as a visitor, the whole church would not notice Him because of His fancy clothes or the gold cross around His neck. When troubles came into His life, Jesus would not disrobe and slip into His tights with an “S” on his shirt.
If you were to meet Jesus for the first time, He would not tell you about His doctorate in Theology, He wouldn’t tell you about all the things He made, He would not tell you how many books He helped author. Chances are, He would say, “Nice to meet you! Just call me Jesus.”
Jesus would be the kind of person that would take the time to stop in for a visit…. As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. Luke 10:38-39
Even though Jesus had millions of things to do and only 3 ½ years to do it, He would always have time for you…. As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Luke 18:35-42
Jesus would be the kind of person that would come over to watch a Patriots football game at your home but would spend half the time playing on the floor with your children…. Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Matthew 19:13-15
Jesus would be the kind of guy that would want to spend time with you. He would say, “How about doing breakfast or getting together for lunch?” … When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. Luke 19:5-6
Jesus was not some religious fanatic or aloof kind of person. If He was your friend; you might find Him cooking on the grill for you, or after telling stories or laughing around the Thanksgiving dinner table, you just might catch him taking a nap on your couch. Remember the Word became flesh, He became one of us.
And when you wanted to talk, it didn’t matter the time or what He was doing, He would talk to you, He would listen to you and you would think that He had all the time in the world for you… There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:1-3
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14). No longer is Jesus in the flesh but whether He is in the flesh or in His glorified body, remember all that He was when He walked the earth; He is the same today residing in heaven…. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Oh by the way, this Jesus that came in the flesh… is also making intercession for us today. Rejoice! Christmas is all about Jesus becoming flesh. What a wonderful gift!!
