The most familiar Bible stories often hold the most profound lessons. In the Christmas story, deep truths may be re-discovered by meditating on characters very different from us: angels and shepherds. Apart from gifts and food, can you recall why Christmas is such a big deal?

Eight hundred years before Jesus was born, Isaiah saw God’s promise to mankind. To a troubled world, the promise of Christmas is perfect peace forever. Christmas is not an end in itself; it is a declaration of future hope, a declaration renewed every Christmas.

This week we hear from guest preacher and Evergreen Church member, Bob Yandian. He brings us a message on the two thieves who were crucified with Christ. We pray God speaks to you as you listen.

With only serious followers remaining, Jesus begins a private time of instruction unparalleled by any other teacher in history. Immediately, He takes us from the heights of His glory to the depth of our inconsistencies. But we don’t despair…ultimately His life is our life.

Peter betrays Jesus and finds forgiveness and restoration. Judas betrays Jesus and then commits suicide. What was the difference? The difference is found in each man’s relationship to Christ. A disciple betrays the Master when he chooses to stay on the fringe of the Kingdom.

In the closing hours of His life, Jesus stressed that His followers do not merely know God, but they live out the practical implications of that relationship. In truth, few people care that we know; they need to know that we care.

Because we are a people of another land, our actions in this world must always be driven by our citizenship in and loyalty to another place. Christian giving makes no earthly sense until it is understood as a practice with eternal impact. As such, our new construction says something about us and about God far beyond the dollars and cents involved.

Jesus often used light and darkness imagery to illustrate His relationship to men and to describe their relationship to the world. We live today in a spiritual “murky time” and Jesus has a word of gospel warning for our generation.

People today seem to be searching for a roadmap to lead them through these days of global crisis and uncertainty. They turn to political pundits, social media influencers, cultural prognosticators, and medical “experts.” The Bible, however, gives life direction to believers in very simple terms: lift up Christ and let Him draw others into the Kingdom.

The word king actually means “one who is able.” Reluctant to accept the title before now, Jesus arrives at Jerusalem and finally receives this accolade in its fullest sense—He is the Eternal King, the promised Messiah, the One Who comes in the name of the Lord. This Sunday morning entry is recognized as “triumphal,” even today, only with eyes of faith.