Coffee With The Lord

From eternity past into eternity future… “The Jesus story! A manger and beyond!” Today, the day after Christmas, I’m reflecting on “His sinless life and selfless ministry.”

Can you imagine it… “He was tempted in all points (in all the ways) such as we are, yet without sin!” (Hebrews 4:15) I know the struggles I have with temptation… and I know the times I’ve failed. To my shame, I also know the times I’ve even entertained and wished for the thing that would tempt me. Not Him… in purity of heart and life He overcame! That’s why the very next verse assures (and invites) us… “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need!” What a Savior! Jesus, not only an overcoming example – my helper!

Jesus also exemplified selfless ministry… both during His life (and in His death on our behalf)! Apostle Peter summarize His life accurately: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38) In fact John declared, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil!” (1 John 3:7) His early ministry was literally jam packed with miraculous, selfless ministry to others! In fact, I think one of the most characteristic acts of Jesus – a miracle that epitomized His ministry – was the day that he reached out and touched an “untouchable” leper with compassion and “cleansed” (or healed) Him. What a model for us! May we follow His example of selfless ministry “In His Name” as we approach the New Year.

From eternity past into eternity future… “The Jesus story! A manger and beyond!” That’s going to be the theme of my reflections in “Coffee with the Lord” this entire week – from Christmas through New Year’s Eve.

This Christmas morning I’m reflecting on “His miraculous birth!”

John 1:1-14 clearly teaches that Jesus – the One referred to in the passage as “the Word” – existed in eternity past with “the Father!” In other words, Bethlehem – the manger, was NOT His beginning! It was simply His manifestation to the world! God manifesting Himself in flesh – deity assuming humanity! And why? So that we could see what God was really like! So that, in a few years, He could offer Himself as the sacrifice for our sin and conquer death on our behalf!

Oh, and what a miraculous thing His birth in Bethlehem turned out to be! First of all, the fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies… all the way from the place and the person who would bear the fetus … to what He would do and the ultimate role He would fulfill in history! I mean conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a chaste virgin… (miraculous!). The grand announcement of His birth by an angelic host to humble shepherds on a Judean hillside… (miraculous!). The supernatural sign in the sky (the “star”) and the gathering of wise sages (kings) from countries afar to bring Him gifts… (miraculous!). His divine protection from Herod’s plot provoked by insane jealous fear… (miraculous!).

So here I am this Christmas morning worshipping the One our Heavenly Father sent to earth to redeem us… Reflecting on the wonderful and miraculous nature of His birth – The One who existed before time, was active at creation, and Who came to us in human history in Bethlehem… born in a manger! Wow! “Oh come let us adore Him… Christ the Lord!”

We’ve been receiving a host of Christmas cards and letters at our house! We love to hear the news from dear family and friends. In my Bible reading this morning during “coffee with the Lord” I read the following verses from the short epistle (letter) 2 John. I can only imagine the joy it brought and expressed…

‘II rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father! And now I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment… love one another! And this is love that we walk according to His commandments.” (2 John 4-6)

What joy it brings to hear that our friends and family are “walking according to the truth!” How satisfying and fulfilling to hear that they “love one another!”

Gotta say, I affirm and echo the words of Apostle John… It makes me “rejoice greatly” to hear that news from family and friends!  Just reporting… We’re “walking in the truth” and determined to “love one another” down here! Have a blessed Christmas and a fruitful New Year!