Light has Come

John 3:16, 19-21

"Men love the darkness..." It reflects Paul's cry in Romans, and mine as well. I keep doing those things that grieve the heart of God...I know I'm doing them, yet I continue. Sometimes it's because I think there's no other way, sometimes because I just want to be bad and do them, sometimes because I buy into the lie that I am a failure, and destined to disappoint my Heavenly Father. 

But He came to shatter all of that. The verdict has been made. This passage says that everyone who loves the light will come into it an be exposed. It reminds me of a recent prayer our pastor prayed, "We need an invasion of Jesus." God loved me - you - so deeply, he sent His Son to invade our lives, our lists, our plans, our world - so that we might have true life abundantly. He came an exposed all our ugliness, so we could have His beauty. Christmas is a wonderful thing.

The Curse

Genesis 3: 8-19

"He will crush your head...." Adam and Eve knew intimacy. They walked with each other in a manner of completeness, humility and joy. They walked with their Father, knowing they were loved fully. And yet, Eve allowed what she knew as truth to be challenged. She heard the serpent's whispers, "Does He really love you? Isn't He holding good things from you? He doesn't want the best for you." They were the most blatant lies ever told. They struck at the character and demonstration of God's love. But it was all Eve needed to say, "You're right." And it worked so well, it's the only strategy Satan has had to use ever since. 

God knew from that moment, His children would question His love for them, the deepest love alive. He knew His children would run to those tangible things, denying that His love is the most real thing alive. He knew He would miss them so much, that He would have to save them, rescue them. And so He determined to send His son, and the Son would crush the liar's head. And the Father would take His creation's face in His hands once again with tender whispers of, "I love you."

A Righteous Branch

Jeremiah 23:5-6

"The days are coming..." God's covenant people waited, longing for the day when they would see the promised Messiah, the Righteous Branch. This branch would bring new life to a people dead in their sins, hope to a hopeless people, freedom to captives. 

Not what they expected, many questioned the arrival of Jesus. This peasant was suppose to be the "King who would reign wisely and restore Israel to safety"? Yet with authority, He challenged their law, their order, their righteousness. Quietly, He claimed He not only did this, He did more, for His kingdom was greater, His throne was higher, and the life He offered so much more abundant than anything they could imagine.

For the Display of His Splendor

Isaiah 61

Christ came to redeem. His followers were a crew of crooked tax collectors, doubting friends, harlots and outcasts. They were people of ashes, mourning and despair. Many of them thought a new beginning was impossible.

But then, He came. The man who claimed to be the Messiah,  the answer to Isaiah's prophecy, the hope of the covenant. He would trade them a crown of beauty for ashes; gladness for their mourning, a spirit of praise for their despair. He would rescue them, restoring them to their purpose: to become oaks of righteousness - to display His Father's splendor.

Until the Time

Micah 5:1-3

"Though you are small among the clans of Judah..." Unlike other prophets, Micah carried God's word to the common people of Judah, the downcast, everyday people - like you and me. Speaking directly to Bethlehem, Micah tells of Christ's coming through the virgin Mary. This small, ordinary city, not only produced King David, it would see the Messiah come forth.

Yet, as it is with many things, the joy comes through suffering and labor. Micah promises that Israel "would be abandoned", given over to captivity until just the right time. God never left His people, but He allowed them to ache for Him, so at the perfect moment, set before the creation of the world, He could redeem His children, call them to Himself, clothe them in the cloak of His Son.

A Great Light

Isaiah 9:1-7

It had happened again. God's own children had forgotten him. Turning from their Creator and Savior, they clung to temporary things, things that don't last. They trusted in the gods of this world: money, appearances, success, reputation, all being held out to them by surrounding cultures. However, the Father longed for his children. He missed them. He saw what they could be for His glory and purpose, as He had called them by name. 

So here, the prophet Isaiah, in the midst of darkness, says there will be no more gloom. In the midst of chaos, he reveals the promise that there will be no more distress. The one who longs to rescue them is coming, a light is dawning. He will increase their joy and shatter their burdens. He will restore perfection through the perfect aspect of his character. "He will accomplish this."