Tuesday, December 15, 2009

From the Cradle to the Cross

When I think of Christmas, the most familiar story of the birth of Christ recorded in Luke 2: 4-7 comes to my mind. “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

What a Saviour we have that would come down from the realms of Heaven to be born in a stable, with a manger for a cradle. There was no room for him in the inn that night and later no room for him in the society of that day. Have things changed very much since then? We don’t hear very much about the early life of Jesus until he begins his preaching ministry just a few years before going to the cross to pay for our sins. But I am thoroughly convinced that in those thirty plus years of his un-chronicled life, he made an impact on the people he came in contact with.

He didn’t need to be in the spotlight to do every day the things that needed to be done. He knew what He was here on earth for, and each moment of each day was spent moving toward that goal of paying for the sins of sinful humanity on the cross. Finally the day came when the heavy cross was placed upon His back as he walked toward Calvary. (Luke 24: 7 “The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”)

As He was crucified on that tree and lifted to the sky, then pronounced dead and placed in a grave, only to rise alive again three days later, He gave us the greatest present we could ever receive…..eternal life. The only condition is that we believe and accept what He did for us.

If we choose to accept God’s free gift of eternal life, then we will go to Heaven. (“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16) To make it to hell, we only have to not believe. (“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3: 18)

There’s nothing we can do to pay for this Gift Christ has offered to us, but we can commit to living a life pleasing to Him. He compares this life to “taking up a cross”. (“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9: 23)

My prayer is that each person who reads this will have a wonderful Christmas this year wherever you are by rejoicing in the Gift that Christ gave to us as we celebrate His journey from the Cradle to the Cross!

Merry Christmas!

Marilyn

9 comments:

Denise said...

Such a lovely post. Have a very Merry Christmas.

Beth Herring said...

Such powerful truth in this post today Marilyn.

It is so sad that society doesn't have room for our precious Lord. Jesus is not important to most of the world.

I pray that I can be more of a shining light this year for Him.

Merry Christmas to you too!

Leah Adams said...

Marilyn,

I was pondering this morning on the fact that Jesus condescended to come to this fallen earth to die for one like me. ME! It just blows my mind. I could understand it for Billy Graham or Beth Moore, but me? What incredible love!

Leah

Yolanda said...

Marilyn,

Merry Christmas to you as Jesus is my everything and I'm praying that 2010 reveals this to the world. That I would be found truly living and loving Him. Love to you, Yolnada

Debra said...

And what a great gift our Saviour was! Wonderful devotion! Merry Christmas!

Liesa said...

Hi again...thanks for the comment on my post. And yes, the sweet snowmen are on my table at home. A dear friend I worked with at school years ago gave me that. I just love it, makes me smile when I pass by them! :)

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

And Merry Christmas to you, Marilyn. My heart's been hurting these last few weeks, but I am on the mend and ready to behold my King in all his glory this Christmas.

peace~elaine

breadgirl said...

Hello Marilyn
A lovely thought provoking post. Thank you, and a very Merry Christmas to you and yours. God bless you.

Shan Kou Laoshi said...

Hi, I'm a Catholic from Singapore. Also been actively serving my parish but there's really a lot of room for me in terms of growth in spiritual maturity.
Chanced upon your blog and this particular article reminded me that Jesus, our Saviour, does not remain in the spotlight every day of his life. He just willingly surrender himself to fulfill God's will to accomplish His goal on Earth. Thanks for reminding me to stay humble and to do everything for the glory of God, and NOT to win anybody's compliments.
- Shankou Laoshi