“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:5
Seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth, Isaiah writes of Jesus’ humanity and deity. Almighty God will become flesh to redeem man from his sins. The Savior will be 100% man and 100% God, not half man and half God. Who can wrap their mind around that?
Isaiah writes, “For unto us a Child is born.“ The prophet then describes a tiny village called Bethlehem. He details a stable and mentions a manger (a feed trough used as a cradle).
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:13-14
Imagine the throngs of angels singing in the Heavenly Choir that starry night. The Magi later brought three gifts from a faraway land, each with a special meaning. And yes, the Star that led them that shined so bright. The lowly shepherds tended their flocks. These were not just any sheep. The shepherds of Bethlehem were in charge of raising sheep for the temple sacrifices just six miles away in Jerusalem. These sacrifices foreshadowed the Christ Child foretold and born that night, Jesus.
Faithful Joseph and the humble teenage Virgin Mary began a journey days before. They traveled 90 miles from their home in Nazareth to Bethlehem. They crossed a dangerous and harsh land. Mary was almost full-term during her pregnancy. When they arrived, there was room for them in the inn. Later, as it is today, there is no room for Him in many peoples’ hearts.
All of this is wonderful. Yet, it does not begin to compare to the Child Child born in that humble stable on that faithful night. The Son of God, Jesus, the Christ who in 33 short years would be mocked and beaten unmercifully. And spit upon and placed a scarlet robe on Him to shame Him. His beard pulled out, and a crown of sharp thorns pressed into His brow, mocking Him. And then nailed to a tree for my sins. He would bleed, suffer, and die naked in public humiliation while his robe was gambled for. All of this is for me. All of this is for you.
He would take my eternal separation from God caused by my rebellion and sin. This separation is called hell. It is a place of darkness, regret, and despair. His undeserved gift is called the grace of God. It is also called salvation. It is being born again. This gift comes from the Holy God, who can not look upon sin. Christ, His Son, conquers hell, death, and the grave for us. But what did it cost Christ: his life and blood. There is no greater love.
Jesus, the Lord of Creation in the Bible, created this universe. Only He can create something from nothing. Jesus said He could call 12 legions (72,000) angels to protect Him. According to the Bible, one angel killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in the night before the battle of Jerusalem. Consider these numbers: 72,000 x 185,000 = 13,320,000,000. So why didn’t Christ call them? Because He loves you and me.
He would be raised from that borrowed grave three days later. This ensures I will spend eternity with Him and my loved ones. We will be together for eternity in the place he has spent 2,000 years building. This place is soon to be my new home, called Heaven. He has promised to return for me. He has said He has not predestined me to the wrath. This wrath is to come on this planet. It is called the Great Tribulation. I am not to be afraid of this. However, I am commanded to look up, for He is coming again for me. Why don’t you look to Him and join me? There’s room for you, too.
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But Isaiah does not stop with the child’s humanity; he now writes of the child’s deity. Isaiah then takes us to Heaven. “And His name is Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6). The child born in a stable is the Son given for our sins. He was the Son before He became God incarnate—God in the flesh.
The Bible says the soul that sins must die. Why was my question as an eight-year-old boy?
In Habakkuk 1:13, we read, “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness.” God is holy. He cannot look upon sin. Yet, He loves us so much. He is willing to do what we cannot do for ourselves. He alone can pay for our sins.
Jesus was and is God in the flesh. He was crucified on a cross meant for Barabbas. This act was for our sins—Jesus died on your cross. He died on my cross. Like Barabbas, you and I are guilty of sin.
Jesus was nailed to your cross and my cross. He took our place on that cross high on a hill for all the world to see. Jesus bore our shame, our guilt, our sin. Jesus shed His blood—God’s blood to pay the debt of our sins.
The just for the unjust. The Righteous for the unrighteous. The sinless Lamb of God for the sinner.
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Self-improvement will not qualify you for salvation, for God’s Word says, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)
Comparing yourself to others will not work either, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
Doing your best cannot save you. The Scriptures record, “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousness’s are like filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6)
Think about it: if you could be good enough to pay for your sins. Why did Jesus have to die for you?
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A few months ago, I spoke to a man who was gravely ill. He told me he had been taught by his church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, that Jesus never said He was God. I read these scriptures from the Gospel of John. He told me he had never seen them before.
Within a few weeks, he was taken to a hospital in San Marcos. When I dropped by to visit, he asked why I was there. “I was in the neighborhood,” I said.
The next day, he went into a coma. He never came out of it. But not before he sent me a text stating he had accepted Christ as his Savior. The text had two emojis attached, one of prayer and the other of a cross.
These are the scriptures I read to him from the New Testament concerning the deity of Christ.
“In the beginning was the Word [Logos], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:1-5)
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
In three-quarters of a century on this patch of dirt, I have only witnessed two deathbed confessions. These were confessions of faith in Christ. I highly don’t recommend them. I had written off both men as “lost causes,” but the Lord had not. In both cases, the Holy Spirit kept putting (I mean numerous times) on my heart to witness to them. My attitude was, “You have got to be kidding.” I tend to forgetI’m only a messenger boy.
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He shall not come as a helpless babe born in a stable. He will not be laid in a feed trough called a manger. He will come as King of kings and Lord of lords this time. He will have all the authority and power to judge.
He will reign over his creation in perfect love. There will be no pain, regret, or tears. You will not become an angel playing the harp sitting on a cloud.
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
Every knee will bow before Him, and every tongue will confess Him as Lord that day. But salvation is through faith, not sight. Accept Jesus now through faith as your Lord and Savior.
Will you bow your knees today and confess Him as Lord through faith? The Bible says today is the day of salvation. We have no guarantee of another day.
Say yes to Jesus —today. You will never regret that decision.
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The most famous 25 words ever spoken: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Place your faith in Jesus. Accept Him today as Lord and Savior by praying:
“Heavenly Father,
I pray to You, asking for the forgiveness of my sins.
I confess with my mouth. I believe that Jesus is Your Son. He died on the cross at Calvary so that I might be forgiven of my sins.
Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead. I ask You to come into my life and be my personal Lord and Savior.
I turn from my sins and will surrender to your will throughout my life.
Your word is truth. I confess with my mouth that I am born again. I am cleansed by the blood of Jesus!
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!”
Footnote
You will not become an angel with wings playing 3-Chord Magic on a harp sitting on a cloud in Heaven. —Randy Willis
Google claims the James Webb Space Telescope can see galaxies over 13 billion light years away. There are 5.88 trillion miles in one light year.
And yes, the James Webb Space Telescope has made a significant discovery. It found galaxies that formed hundreds of millions of years after the so-called “Big Bang.”
According to the Bible, angels existed before the universe was created. The Book of Job describes angels “shouting for joy” as God laid the foundations of the Earth.
By the time of Adam and Eve, one angel—Lucifer—had already led a rebellion against God. He had been cast out of heaven. (Isaiah 14:12-17).
I am all for science. However, the photos of the James Webb Space Telescope represent to me the majesty of God’s power, glory, and greatness. They convey awe and wonder. Ask yourself who can create all this from nothing.
I am not a theologian or self-proclaimed prophet, and I am even less of a scientist if that is possible.
Romans 1:20 seems to warn us. God’s invisible qualities have been clearly seen since the world was created.
His eternal power and divine nature are understood from what has been made. People are without excuse. If what is being revealed in the heavens today does not convince you, explain the miracle of birth. Describe why you have consciousness. Or Who can create something from nothing?
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The average distance between stars in the Milky Way is about 5 light-years or 29 trillion miles. Earth is located in one of its spiral arms. The number of galaxies in the universe is estimated to be between 100 billion and 2 trillion. However, go figure (pun intended), the exact number is unknown. The point is you will have little time to even tune your harp. Thank the Lord, after about two or three tunes, I’d be ready for twin fiddles or a steel guitar.
No wonder the Scripture says, “Eye has not seen. Nor ear heard. Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
It all gives a new meaning to the song, How Great Thou Art.
With all that said, I can’t get enough of these James Webb Space Telescope photos.
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalms 19:1
These five galaxies are said to do a “cosmic dance” caused by gravity. It is the enormous mosaic of Stephan’s Quintet from the James Webb Space Telescope.Scientists still don’t fully understand how gravity works at the quantum level. It’s accurate to say that “no one fully understands gravity” in the most complete sense. It remains one of the great mysteries in physics.
Really: “All things have been created through Him and for Him, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 The Lord of creation, Christ is the “glue” that holds all things together.
An enormous mosaic of Stephan’s Quintet from the James Webb Space Telescope.
“All things have been created through Him and for Him, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 Christ is the “glue” that holds all things together.
Beautiful scripture.
Enjoy all your readings. Thank you for sharing your stories and light. God bless you!
Donna Moore