The Eternal Jesus

                                                   

Note: I’m taking a short break and will resume my daily messages on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018). May your Christmas be filled with God’s LOVE, PEACE and JOY.

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Chuckle: Fun with the English language: "If you have a rough cough, climbing can be tough when going through the bough of a tree.”

Quote: “I hope your Christmas has had a little touch of eternity in among the rush and pitter and all. It always seems such a mixture of this world and the next – but that after all is the idea!” –Evelyn Underhill

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (Rev. 1:8 NIV).

At Christmas, the eternal nature of the Baby born in Bethlehem should give us reason to rejoice. His life did not begin in a manger. He always has been, is today, and always will be Lord of Lords and King of Kings, the Creator of the universe. Let's stroll through the pages of God's Word and try to understand the eternal nature of Jesus.

“In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:1-3).

In John 1, we see the historical significance of Jesus. He participated with God the Father in the creation. Nothing was made that Jesus didn't make. These verses affirm the deity of Jesus Christ, a concept that some people cannot accept. However, the Bible is clear -- there is only one true God, and He chooses to reveal Himself in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Since there is only one true God, then Jesus is God. It has always been God's plan to reveal himself to mankind through becoming flesh and living among us. In Isaiah 7:14, 9:6 and Micah 5:2, written more than 700 years before Jesus was born, we find these words:

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

Isn't it exciting to see God's plan of redemption unfold before our very eyes in the pages of His Word. It gives us some insight into the very nature and mind of God. It reaffirms God's love for us from the beginning which He has revealed to us by His Word and in his deeds. Christ's birth in Bethlehem fulfilled these prophecies. I never get tired of reading the Christmas story. I encourage you, right now, to turn to Luke 2 and read it slowly, deliberately, prayerfully, and with rejoicing.

Let's never forget that Jesus (God himself) was born into the world for one great and overriding purpose -- our salvation (redemption) from the power, penalty, and eventually, presence of sin. This same baby Jesus, some 33 years later, would show God's boundless love for us by dying an excruciatingly painful death to pay the penalty for our sins. Let’s rejoice because of God's great love, mercy, and Grace.

Love, Jerry & Dotse