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Have you received Jesus yet?

Sunday, 19th December, 2010

Morning Carol Service

 

 

God’s perfect Gift for you.

Have you received it yet?

 

Nothing like a new born baby to gather a crowd! Everybody wants to see, even hold. But God’s word does not mention the crowd who were around in Bethlehem, probably some were a bit cheesed off with a disturbed night. The bible does not say they were in a stable away from the rest of the crowds, it may have been in the building referred to as an inn, nor does it say other travellers did not occupy the so-called stable.  But God’s word draws attention to three groups of people who came to see the baby Jesus - the shepherds, Simeon and Anna and the wise men from the East.

 

They all had a special reason to see the baby or in the case of the Wise men the toddler.

Shepherds had a message of a saviour out of the blue.

Simeon and Anna waited long for salvation and received the opportunity to see what they waited for in their own arms.

 Wise men followed a star, found what they sought and worshipped.

 

Lamb

Shepherds in the fields. Tough lonely men. Used to long hours, harsh conditions, these men reared lambs that were taken to Jerusalem to be offered as sacrifices in the altar. Under the Old Covenant they found forgiveness as they confessed their sins over the lamb and it died in their place.

 

To them, the angel of God had good news of great joy. 

"Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. 11This very day in King David's hometown a Saviour was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay."

 

So to them men on the hills, the message was of a Saviour, one who could take away the guilt and punishment for sins, or, as John the Baptist put it, the lamb of God.

 

It takes an angel and a big backing group to convince these tough outdoor men to go and see a new born baby, but they go and see. And so the news of the baby’s birth is spread not by the people in Bethlehem but by a bunch of men who were better known as the men out on the hills. They received good news and told everyone they met.

 

Shawl & Skull cap.

Simeon and Anna. 8 days later, Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem some 6 miles from Bethlehem. In the course of them being in the temple they met up with two people. Notice again that Jerusalem and its temple would have been awash with people. It was a busy city. But God’s word tells us of just two.

They had waited long for their Messiah to come and they are moved by the Holy Spirit to be in the temple on that day and hour to meet the very person they had waited so long for. A baby, just been circumcised and named Jesus. They received what they had waited a long time for. Israel’s long awaited Christ had come. And they also talked about it to anyone who would listen and probably a few who didn’t.

 

Scrolls, books?

Wise men  A year or maybe two pass and our third group arrive. They are probably from Iran. They are astrologers seeking the meaning of the universe and everything in the stars. God send a star to these people. They not be Jews but God still wants them to know about his son, Jesus.

Their wisdom is slightly misguided and they go to Jerusalem rather than the city of David. But in time they arrive to worship and offer gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. What did they come to see?

"Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

They have come to see a King. And their gifts show they know what sort of king he was. Gold for a king, frankincense for a priest and myrrh for a funeral.

Jesus had come to be king of a new type of kingdom. He never lost the tag King of the Jews while he was alive. It was stapled to the cross he died on. But his kingdom crossed ethnic and political and religious boundaries. Wherever people receive him in repentance and faith his kingdom is established in another heart.

 

And as far as God’s word is concerned they are the people who went to see the new baby in Bethlehem.

 

Which group do you fit with?

 

Are you a shepherd type. Busy getting on with life? Then stop and hear the angels tell you a Saviour has been born. Find out that the good news is true.

 

Are getting on in years? Then the Messiah you have waited long for has arrived. Greet him. your saviour and Christ is here respond to him in repentance and faith.

 

Are you one of the wise. Do you check things out. Well check this out; your king was born in Bethlehem 2000 odd years ago. Direct your research in his direction. Your studying will bring you to the King – King Jesus.

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