Title: Wise Men Still Seek Him
Bible Book: Selected Passages
Author: Kenneth Hendricks
Subject: Christmas
Objective:
I. The Cradle, Isaiah 7:14
A. It Was a Promised Birth, Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14. The word "virgin" gives Jesus a divine ancestry. I believe that's why so many people have tried to eliminate this word from scripture. Destroy the virgin birth and you destroy the divinity of Christ as well as destroy the Word of God. Jesus was supernatural.
Not only is it a promised birth it is also a pure birth.
B. It Was a Pure Birth, Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11. This is a great truth! From the very beginning Christ was the "Saviour". This is irrefutable evidence that He is God. He didn't become God - He always was God. Jesus was pure. Not only do we see the cradle, we also see the consecration.
II. The Consecration, Matthew 1:21
A. Jesus Did God's Will
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21. There is no doubt that Jesus Christ is the Son of God because no one else could have accomplished the task God asked Him to do. II Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Jesus never questioned God's will due to the fact that He was God's only begotten Son. Jesus was obedient to death on the cross. Just as God had a plan for the life of Jesus, He has a plan for our life. That plan may not be easy to accomplish. God's plan for Christ wasn't easy. Obedience to God's plan will always bring glory to God. Just as Jesus consecrated His life to God we must consecrate our life to Him. Not only did Jesus do God's will He also did God's word.
B. Jesus Did God's Word, Isaiah 53:5
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed," Isaiah 53:5.
God's Word said He would pay the full price for our sins and that's exactly what He did! Jesus died a promised death and through that promised death came the power of life. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27. We've received the same promise and through the life born in Bethlehem we can have the power of life. Christ finished the work God asked Him to do. Will you finish the work He has for you to do? Every crown you receive in heaven, every blessing you receive on earth was made possible by a small babe born in Bethlehem.
If you're still wondering what to do with the babe in the manger I have the answer for you - receive Him! Finish the work God has given you to do! Rejoice evermore as you live a full and meaningful life and spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven.
