Pondering His Holy Word

Two thousand years ago, give or take a few years and months, the LORD, our God, sent forth His Son born by a virgin woman. This Child, Jesus, was the image of the Invisible God. When Mary and Joseph looked down at baby Jesus, they gazed upon the radiance of the glory of God. The heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2-3). After the angel of the Lord directed the shepherds to the baby wrapped in a swaddling cloth and lying in a manger, a multitude of angels praised God and said. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:8-14). Even when King Herod didn’t prevail to destroy our Lord and Savior because He was the light of men, the light Shinned in the darkness, and the light prevailed (John 1:5). 

Even though Jesus is God, He did not regards his right as God, but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men (Philippians 2:5-8). In the fullness of time, God sent forth his Son, born under the law. He kept the law perfectly in spirit and truth because He is Holy. We born under the law couldn’t keep the law in spirit and practice. “Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.” (Deut 27:26). Whoever keeps the law but fails in one point has become guilty of the whole law (James 2:10). Even those who are gentiles are held to the law that is written on our hearts. For the work of the law is written on our hearts (Romans 2(14-16). None of us dare to face the holiness of God. We are all guilty under the law. 

However, God did not give us what we deserved. He sent forth His son to become sin for us. Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus became the second Adam. Where Adam was disobedient and died, Jesus was obedient to death and lived. On the cross, God looked at Jesus and saw us. Jesus willingly drank from the cup of His wrath, and because of Jesus’s obedience, the Father looks at us and sees the righteousness of Jesus Christ. 

On that night, in the manger, a baby was born to bear the sins of the world so that we can be reconciled to God. At the time, Mary was not aware that God, the Son, laid aside his glory to become sin. His name is Jesus, which means God saves, and in Him, God saved us from the kingdom of darkness and brought us to the kingdom of Light. (Matthew 1:21, Colossians 1:13). 

Though Jesus was obedient to death, He defeated death, and now He reigns in heaven. Only He was counted worthy of the song, “Worthy are you, to take the scroll, and to open its seals, for you were slain and by your blood you ransomed people for God. From every tribe and language and people and nation and you have made them a kingdom and priest to our God and they shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10). David spoke of Jesus when he said, “He leads me down the path of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.” 

It is He who said, “Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is Holy.” (Joshua 5:15). The four living creatures say to him, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty who was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). 

We should bow and say, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive Glory, and honor and power” (Revelation 4:11). When we reflect on His birth, we should sing the song of the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” We should throw away all we have, pick up our cross and follow Him. He is the Lord our God. He is our righteousness. Under His headship, we are a new creation. God looks at us and sees the righteousness of Jesus Christ. 

Grace be to everyone on this Christmas day. Amen.