Entertaining Strangers

Entertaining Strangers (1)

David Tack November 27, 2011

INTRODUCTION

The other day I was speaking to an elderly lady who was sitting in a wheel chair outside the car dealership. We spoke for a few minutes and I was in a hurry so I tried on several occasions to politely end our conversation so that I could get moving. As I pulled away the Holy Spirit reminded of a verse we find in the Book of Hebrews. In Hebrews 13:2 we read “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” As I pulled away I had a strange feeling that this could have been true with my now past interaction with this dear lady.

Later in the day as I laid down for a nap, I was impressed upon again. What about Jesus and the babe in the manger. Well, in this case we had more than a stranger; we had a Holy God wrapped in the flesh of humanity. What about those who were present? Here we have more than “entertaining strangers” and “angels unawares.” No, here we have …… and “Deity unawares.” Let us look at this babe in the manger from the perspectives of those that missed the true meaning that lieth before them; Immanuel: God is with us!

Let’s look at those who missed who the incarnated Christ, the babe in the manger was and is!

R.A. Torrey, in his New Topical Textbook, describes Jesus Christ as: God; the High Priest; King, Mediator; Prophet, Shepherd along with many other titles. Francis Derk in his book, A Pocket Guide to the Names of Christ, regarding the names of Christ gives over “two hundred and seventy-two names in the Bible” found for Christ. Derek humbly adds: “This book is by no means exhaustive . . . I beg your indulgence in reading this book.” Today I want to look at just FIVE of these vast descriptions of who Jesus Christ really is, keeping the mind that when those gazing at the Christ-child were “unawares” of exactly what was present. How about you this morning?

FIRST, the babe in the manger was (and is) GOD. The Babe laying in the manger was Deity! (2)

Philippians 2: 6-8: “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

SECOND, the babe in the manger was (and is) the CREATOR (3)

Colossians 1:15-17: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (16) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (17) And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Many folk want to attribute the tangible to chance or evolution. NO……, It was created by the Creator. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit; all three were present in creation.

Edwin Conklin illustrates the absurdity of a chance evolution: “The probability of life originating by accident is comparable to the probability of the unabridged dictionary originating from an explosion in a print shop.”

THIRD, the babe in the manger was (and is) the SAVIOR of the world! (4)

Titus 2:13-14- “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

1 John 4:4- “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”

FOURTH, the babe in the manger was (and is) the HIGH PRIEST (5)

Hebrews 2:17- “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”

“Regarding the exalted Christ’s intercessory ministry, Bruce states: “Jesus Christ the righteous’ is presented as his peoples “advocate with the Father [1 Jn. 2;1],” … the enthroned high priest, who “is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

“This High Priest took His seat in the heavens. His work of offering a sacrifice for sin was finished. He now officiates in a heavenly tabernacle. . .”