Tabernacle

“God works in mysterious ways”, so they say.  God’s solutions don’t always

seem like the solutions (or timing) we envision.  They can be mystifying, even baffling.  We need reminders that God is good, that God is at work, and that

God will deliver on His promises.  That is why we need the prophets.  That is why we need The Prophet.

When was the last time you read any of the prophets?  Admittedly, the prophets can be a hard read, replete with confusing histories and oracles of judgment.  But God gave us the prophets to bless us, not confuse us or condemn us.  God gave us the prophets, God gave us Zechariah, to point us to the true Prophet, to Jesus, who shines light into our darkness and restores our souls.

It should go without saying, but following Jesus implies progress.  If we are following Jesus, then we are going somewhere—wherever He is leading.  Disciples don’t get too comfortable where they are at, because they know they are moving on.  We always have a next step to take as Jesus calls us to keep following Him. Sure, there are resting places along the way, but we don’t loiter.  What is your

next step of faith?  How can you develop as His disciple?  How can you grow as

His steward?

Today we honor the sanctity of human life.  Life is sacred because we are creations, not accidents.  Each of us was planned out and created intentionally by God, our Creator and Father.  This reality blesses us with a two-fold vision of nobility and responsibility—nobility to us when we see the image of God in the mirror, and the responsibility to see that image in the face of the other.  Can you see both?

Many of you know that I am an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. That is why October 12, 1989 was a great day. On that day, the Cowboys traded away their best player, Herschel Walker, to the Vikings for a bunch of players and draft picks. The trade involved a total of 18 players and draft picks and is still the largest trade in NFL history. The Cowboys used that trade to build a team that went on to win three Superbowls. It was a lopsided and beneficial exchange. Did you know that as a Christian, you are on the receiving end of an even greater and more lopsided exchange? Jesus has taken your sin and He has given you His righteousness. This is the glorious exchange.

We have spent the last several weeks considering some of the reasons why Jesus came to earth.  He came to do his Father's will.  He came to bring us life.  He came to bring light.  He came to bear witness to the truth.  Ultimately, Jesus came to die.  Is that the end of the story?  No.  Jesus has promised to return and that makes a big difference.  When He returns, He will make all things new.

Was Jesus born in a stable?  Were the wise men there with the shepherds?  How many wise men were there?  Did they ride camels?  There is so much confusion about the Nativity that people tend to view it as a fable.  It just gets mixed up in the merriment of Christmas.  Maybe we can’t really know the truth about Christmas?  On the contrary, there is something very powerful, very life-defining, very true about the birth of Jesus!  Jesus told Pilate, “I was born…to bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37).  This means that Christmas comes to remind us of what is true—about Jesus and about us.

There are no streetlights in our neighborhood, so ordinarily Longview Circle is a pretty dark drive at night.  But there is one, extended time of the year when the approach to our driveway is as bright as a runway.  Yes, Christmas!  We have the traditional white lights, our neighbors have the red and green lasers, and the folks across the street have made our street a destination for light show seekers—they are the blue light house!  I love how everyone, whether they are conscious of it or not, pays homage at Christmas to Jesus, the Light of the world!  May His light shine from our hearts, and not just from our houses.

Are you living the life you always imagined for yourself?  Seems like all the talk shows are asking this question.  Seems like all the commercials are touting the answers.  Seems like everyone is hoping the answer in under their Christmas tree!  Is this the kind of life Jesus was talking about?  How does the life you always wanted match up to the life, the abundant life, Jesus offers us?

As we begin the Advent season, it is helpful to ask, “Why did Jesus come?”  Jesus tells us Himself, several times in John’s Gospel, and we will be spending Advent studying these explanations.  For starters, Jesus tells us that He came down from heaven to raise us up.  He humbled Himself so that we might be exalted.  He was despised so we might be cherished.  Is not the One who exalts us and cherishes us worthy of our exaltation?  Do you cherish Him?