Intro> Mary, did you know? It’s a beautiful song and was presented beautifully here this morning, but it’s a song that asks a singular question that is actually very easy to answer...
->NO, Mary didn’t know.
--There’s no way she really would have known all that was going to occur in the life of Jesus.
--Yes, she knew she was giving birth to the long-awaited Messiah...but she didn’t have any way of really knowing what all that meant.
--Yes, she had an inkling from what Gabriel told her that Jesus was going to be the cause of strong feelings on the part of many, even dividing groups of people.
--Yes, she had a vague idea from what Anna and Simeon told her eight days after Jesus’ birth, and the gift of embalming fluid (myrrh) from the visit of the Magi some months later, that the Child was born to die.
--And maybe, if she was aware of the prophecies of Isaiah and other Old Testament prophets, she knew He would give sight to the blind, heal the sick, and set captives free.
->But NO, she didn’t know He would walk on water, feed five thousand families with a happy meal of fish, and raise the dead.
--She didn’t know He would be crucified in front of her, and certainly didn’t know He would rise from the dead three days later.
<>The question, however, is really not what Mary did or didn’t know, but how do we respond to Jesus now that we DO know all these things.
<>How we respond to Jesus is the most important decision we’ll ever make...because it affects our lives, from now all the way through eternity.
--I invite you to open a Bible and turn to Matthew, chapter two.
---ILL>In the year 1809, the international scene was tumultuous. Napoleon was sweeping through Austria, and blood was flowing freely. Nobody then was giving a lot of attention to babies...they were much too engaged in what they considered “more important” matters. But the world was overlooking some significant births that year. William Gladstone was born in 1809. He was destined to become one of England’s finest statesmen. That same year Alfred Tennyson was born to an obscure minister and his wife. The child would one day greatly affect the literary world. On the American continent, Oliver Wendell Holmes was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Not far away, in Boston, Edgar Allen Poe began his eventful, albeit tragic life. It was also in that same year that a physician named Darwin and his wife named their infant Charles Robert Darwin. In that same year, the cries of a newborn infant in a rugged log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky, were heard for the first time. That baby’s name was Abraham Lincoln. If there had been news broadcasts at that time, you probably would have heard the news anchors tell you that the destiny of the world was being shaped on an Austrian battlefield that day. But history was actually being shaped in the cradles of England and America. Similarly, in the year Jesus made His appearance on the earth in Bethlehem and dwelt among us, everyone back then thought the big news event of the year was taxation. But a young Jewish woman cradled the biggest news of all...the birth of a Savior.
<>No, Mary didn’t know what all was ahead for her or her Child, but with 20-20 hindsight WE can see that the most important event that took that year, or perhaps in any year since then, was when God became flesh and dwelt among us.
--And yet, even today, the birth of Jesus is still overlooked by many and downplayed by others.
--In fact, many are under the impression that there are much more important matters we should spend our time on than that.
<>But how we “see” Jesus, how we perceive Jesus, is the most important perception, most profound decision we’ll ever make.
So, I want us to examine today....
THE FOUR VIEWPOINTS / WAYS INDIVIDUALS “SEE” JESUS...
1) A REASON TO BE IRRITATED.
--Matthew 2:3-4 -- ...“‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.’ And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”
<>While many enjoy, even treasure the traditions and true meaning of Christmas, some find it all very irritating, and view Jesus Himself as the primary source of their irritation.
--<>Some are “mildly” irritated...
----Their normal shopping routines are now much more difficult....long lines, crowds in the stores, people pushing and shoving to get the last Iwee or latest gadget.
------And, they have to walk past those people ringing bells and hoping you’ll give a donation to their cause.
----Traffic is more difficult...shoppers and travelers hurrying along in city streets.
----Their favorite radio station stops playing their favorite tunes, and is now playing only Christmas music.
----Some of their favorite t.v. programs are being pre-empted for Christmas specials, or they are presenting special “Christmas episodes” that are not nearly as enjoyable as previous episodes (at least in the opinion of those who find Jesus irritating).
--<>Some find their irritation level to be elevated from mild to serious...
---Their workplace becomes much less productive.
----Co-workers are spending more time with office parties, exchanging gifts, bringing snacks for others to share in, and even spending “on the clock” time decorating their office or work stations.
---ILL>I met a lady this past week, a Jehovah’s Witness, who refuses to celebrate any kind of holiday, and who is tremendously upset at Jesus, because, being a person who is paid by the hour, she is going to lose eight hours’ worth of salary on Christmas day because the office will be closed for the holiday. She is irritated because of the loss of income she will experience...and views it entirely the fault of Jesus. Had He not been born, she wouldn’t be deprived of her income.
---These seriously irritated people many times feel pressured to spend money they don’t have to buy presents for their children, because other kids’ parents are doing so.
---They feel especially lonely if they are single or away from their family while others gather with their families for the holiday.
---And those who have lost a loved one earlier in the year find the holidays an especially painful time.
---And there are some who feel pressured to appease family members by coming to worship services such as this one on the Sunday before Christmas or to Christmas Eve services.
----It makes them miss the first quarter of a football game on t.v., or makes them have to skip their normal round of Sunday golf here in Arizona, during the prime time for golf during the year.
-->So, if you’re here today, under protest...we want you to know we’re delighted you’re here. We understand you discomfort, and we’ll try to make it easier for you, but our real hope is that you will hear today that God loves you and wants for you the greatest life possible.
--<>But some find their irritation level to be elevated from serious to severe...even militant.
---They are angered by merchants wishing customers a Merry Christmas...rather than just saying “thank you,” or, if they feel compelled to say something beyond that to their customers this time of year, to saying simply, “Happy Holidays.”
---They are resentful toward co-workers or others who make them feel like a Scrooge if they don’t want to attend Christmas events, exchange gifts, if they don’t like hard candy, or because they don’t believe in reindeer with red noses, jolly red-suited fat guys with flying sleds, or don’t put lights on their house, don’t erect a tree in their living room.
---And they are highly offended by Christmas trees and public expressions of faith in public venues...and especially find manger scenes distasteful.
---ILL>This past week my Alma Mater, Missouri State University, made the national news because they removed a Christmas tree that had been erected on the campus mall. They removed it after some public protests by a handful of folks who objected to a religious symbol being displayed on the campus of a public university. The Administration removed it, but then when a local judge ruled it was okay to have it erected there, the Administration put it back up. But why all the fuss? Because some severely irritated folks were expressing their irritation toward expressions of faith in Jesus in a public forum.
---ILL>I love the writing of Dave Barry. I especially like one of his articles, written this time of year some years ago. He wrote: “To avoid offending anybody, the school my son attends dropped religion altogether and started singing about the weather. They now hold their ‘winter program’ in February and sing increasingly non-memorable songs such as ‘Winter Wonderland,’ ‘Frosty the Snowman,’ and--this is a real song--‘Suzy Snowflake,’ all of which is pretty funny because we live in Miami, Florida! A visitor from another planet would assume that the children belonged to the Church of Meteorology.”
<>Those who see Jesus primarily as a reason to be irritated have a Biblical counterpart in King Herod.
--The Bible tells us that Herod was tremendously upset, irritated, by the news of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.
--Interestingly, the Bible tells us that all of Jerusalem was also troubled...although the public’s concern was not so much with the birth of a young Jewish king-to-be, but they were concerned with Herod’s reaction to the news...they were troubled with HIM.
---Why? Because when Herod was upset, bad things happened.
-----Herod was called Herod the Great, but it wasn’t because he was a great man. He was a prolific builder, but his “greatness” really was more a matter of his great animosity and heartlessness.
-----History tells us that Herod, prior to his death, left orders for his subordinates that on the day he died they were to kill hundreds of people in Jerusalem...just so there would be somebody crying on the day he died.
--Herod’s reaction to this news of Jesus’ birth was to have all the male children two years of age and younger around the region of Bethlehem (which included Jerusalem only seven miles up the road from Bethlehem) killed.
----Yeh, it’s no wonder all Jerusalem was troubled with him.
--<>So again, if you’re here today to simply make your wife or mother or in-laws happy, we’re delighted you’re here. I’m sorry you’re so irritated by the emphasis on Jesus, but our hope is that you will see what all the “fuss” is about...that God loves you very much...so much that He sent His only Son to pay the price for your pardon from sin, and THAT’S why Christmas is such a cause for celebration!
2) AN ICON TO BE TOLERATED.
--Acts 17:22-23 -- “And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects, for while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘to an Unknown God.’”
<>While many are irritated, others view Him through the eyes of tolerance, and see Him as an icon to be tolerated.
--They view Jesus as a religious figure, and, they reason, one religion is just as good as another, and worthy of respect.
--Therefore, they reason, why not? Let’s tolerate all religions, including Christianity, while at the same time making a place in our hearts and public arenas for all religious expressions.
--So sure, put a Christmas tree, wish each other a Merry Christmas, but be sure to also celebrate Hanukah, Kwanza, the Haaj of Islamic tradition, Buddhism, Zoroasterism, Scientology (in fact, why not go ahead and erect a bust of L. Ron Hubbard alongside every manger scene?), voodoo, cannibalism, and, as the King in the King And I would say, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!
<>Many are of the opinion that tolerance is a new idea, but actually this view has a Biblical counterpart in the men of Athens.
--Paul spoke to these “deep thinkers” at the Areopagus (Mars’ Hill) outside of Athens, a gathering place for debaters, sort of a first century “think tank” and told them about Jesus.
--However, when Paul started talking about Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, these “deep thinkers” scoffed at Paul, called him a seed picker, a hick, and stopped giving a listen to him, although some did seek him out to hear more.
--It turns out they weren’t nearly as tolerant as they wanted people to think...certainly weren’t very tolerant toward Christians.
----Sound like anything you’ve ever observed in your own life?
-->Of course, if it really DOESN’T make any difference what you believer, then these folks would be right.
-->But the problem with this view is that it is not only wrong, but it is the product of extremely shallow thinking, because it hasn’t thought through the consequences of such a stance.
<>The question I would ask in this area is this: Where will you draw the line regarding tolerance? How far will you go?
-->If I advocated a belief in a “god” who compelled me to molest children as part of my religious tradition, would that be okay? Would you be tolerant of my belief?
-->If I told you my “god” required me to only work on Thursdays, would you be tolerant of my beliefs and still hire me instead of hiring a person who would show up for work six days every week?
-->If my “religion” advocated offering child sacrifices on an altar to my “god,” Jabba the Hud, would you tolerate me doing so?
-->And what if the ultimate worship of my “god” led me to blow myself up in a crowd or fly airplanes into skyscrapers and kill thousands of innocent people? Is that okay? Will you tolerate that?
-->You see, somewhere along the way you’re going to set a limit on your level of tolerance...meaning it’s a misnomer to advocate true tolerance...the consequences of such a belief system can be and in fact are catastrophic.
<>I believe the basis for our decision in such matters, and why Christmas is worthy of our celebration is this:
-->Muhammad is dead. Buddha is dead. Confucius is dead. John L. Smith...dead. Brigham Young...dead. L. Ron Hubbard...dead. Mary Baker Eddy, dead. Jim Jones, dead. Marshall Applewhite, dead. All the Dalai Lamas except the current one, dead. All the popes except the current one, dead. Moses, dead. But Jesus Christ died and then rose to life again, and lives today. I know...I’ve spoken to him several times this morning already.
<>The problem and the fallacy of tolerance is that it IS important to be more than just sincere.
--It’s quite possible to be sincere and yet sincerely, and tragically, wrong.
-->Instead, I want to be more than just tolerant of different views.
---I want to help spare individuals from the consequences of wrong decisions.
---Therefore, I want to help them understand that Jesus is so much more than just a religious icon to be tolerated.
3) A DEITY TO BE VENERATED.
--James 2:19 -- “You believe that there is one God. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.”
-->In the most recent poll, 80% of Americans claim they believe that Jesus really IS the Son of God...He’s more than just a good man.
---Yet, less than 80% are regular church attendees, so many are not letting their belief in Jesus’ deity affect their behavior, their morals, their actions.
---ILL>I’m reminded of an old pioneer who traveled westward across the Great Plains until he came to an abrupt halt at the edge of the Grand Canyon. He gawked at the sight before him...the steep edge, the vast chasm over one mile down, 18 miles across, more than 100 miles long. Then he gasped, and exclaimed, “Something happened here!”
-->In the same way, when people view our actions, our lives, they should be able to see that something has happened to us.
---Our lives should be dramatically different from having come into contact with Jesus.
-->It’s much more than just knowing in our heads that Jesus is God.
<>Those who hold that Jesus is God but don’t let that belief affect their lives are falling victim to the “Fatal Twelve Inches” phenomena.
--It’s the distance between believing in their heads, but not letting Jesus into their hearts.
<>There is a great difference between knowing ABOUT Jesus and truly KNOWING Jesus.
---ILL>I know a lot ABOUT George Bush. I know he’s from Texas, where he served as governor. I know he’s married to Laura and has two twin daughters. I know he has a dog named Boots, and that his dad is a former U.S. President. I know he’s a Republican and is a two-term President of the United States. But I don’t really know George Bush personally. I’ve never sat down with him over a meal, never spent even one day with him, I don’t know what truly makes him tick. Laura does. She knows him intimately, what he likes and dislikes, how he’s going to react and what his views are on everything. But I don’t.
<>Those who acknowledge Jesus’ deity but haven’t allowed Him to be Lord of their lives have counterparts in those to whom James wrote his epistle in the New Testament.
--James, the brother of Jesus, wrote to the first century Jews and expressed to them that their correct notion of God being only one (as in the Shema: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is one.”), was insufficient in and of itself.
--In James 2:19, he tells them, “You believe that there is one God. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.”
-->Did you catch it? Just believing that Jesus is God is NOT ENOUGH.
---In fact, the demons believe what you believe about Jesus. They even shudder at the thought.
---But they are still separated from God. They’re NOT on God’s side at all. They’re demons!
<>You see, once you’ve met and know Jesus, you move beyond merely acknowledging the important truth that He is indeed a deity to be venerated.
--Instead, you are correctly in the fourth group, holding the correct viewpoint of Jesus...
4) A SAVIOR TO BE CELEBRATED.
--Luke 2:11 -- “for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
--Acts 4:6 -- “For we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard.”
---ILL>Years ago the advertising trailer for the movie, Jaws 2, announced: “He’s back...and this time it’s personal.”
<>Well, the correct way to “see” Jesus is to see Him from an intimate perspective...now it’s personal.
-->He’s not a reason to be irritated, not merely a religious icon to be tolerated, He’s much more than merely a Deity to be venerated.
----He’s my personal Lord and Savior to be celebrated.
<>WHY CELEBRATE THIS CHRISTMAS?...
a) BECAUSE HE’S NO LONGER IN THE CRADLE.
--Hebrews 4:15 -- ”...we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who was temped in all things as we are, yet without sin.”
---ILL>I’m reminded of little Jamie. Her family had taken her along as they went and looked at Christmas displays in the community and especially the various nativity scenes. Her mom asked her, “Jamie, isn’t this nativity scene beautiful?” Jamie responded, “Yes, but I still have one question.” Her mom asked her, “What’s your question, Jamie?” Jamie responded, “Isn’t baby Jesus ever gonna grow up? He was that same size last year!”
--Yes, Jesus grew up.
-->He lived a sinless life, showed us how to live.
---ILL>When folks where bracelets sporting, “W.W.J.D.,” which asks the question, “What would Jesus do?,” they are expressing this idea.
---He came from heaven to earth to show us the way...to show us how to live...how to say ‘no’ to sin.
---He came and taught us how to think, how we should treat others, how we can live in a continual relationship with the Father.
-->He also showed us how to die.
---The apostle Paul, in his “life verse” of Philippians 3:10 expressed it this way: “that I may know Him...and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”
---Paul is telling us that Jesus even showed us how to behave as we’re approaching death...by thinking of others.
-----Jesus’ first words from the cross, while He was bleeding, having been beaten, falsely accused, nailed to a cross, were for the sake of the crucifying crowd: “Father, forgive them!”
-----Next He spoke to a repentant thief on the cross to His right: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
------Then He looked down at His grieving mother and told her to let John take her home, take her away from the scene.
----Despite his own suffering, even while hanging on the cross He showed us how to be faithful in expressing God’s love even during our final moments.
b) BECAUSE HE’S NO LONGER ON THE CROSS.
--Mark 15:46 -- “...Joseph took (Jesus’ body) down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.”
-->Jesus is not still on the cross.
---He’s not still dying for our sin.
---ILL>Recently a lady went into a Christian bookstore, looking for a “cross” necklace, but was somewhat frustrated. The sales attendant came over to her and asked her, “Are you finding what you’re looking for?” She responded, saying, “No. All these crosses are just crosses. I’m looking for one with a little man on it.”
-->Well, it would have been just that, a “little man,” who was hanging on the cross if He didn’t complete His work.
-->But, instead, love’s redeeming work is DONE!.
---He cried it out... “It is finished!” The actual word He used is “tetelesti,” a word from the world of accounting, meaning payment has been paid in full.
-->He’s not still on the cross, not still suffering for our sin.
---Instead, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took His body down and laid it in a tomb.
c) BECAUSE HE’S NO LONGER IN THE TOMB.
--Matthew 28:6 -- “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.”
-->We celebrate Christmas because of Easter!
----He has conquered our biggest enemy...death.
-->Now we can truly celebrate...because with the tomb being empty, our lives can be full!
-->As the lyrics proclaim it: “He came from heaven to earth, to show the way; from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay; from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky. Lord, I lift Your name on high!”
BRINGING IT HOME...
<>Today, I ask you one simple question: How do YOU view Jesus?
-->If your view is anything less than a Savior to be celebrated, I invite you to receive Him today by faith as personal Lord and Savior.
--Mary might not have known, but now you DO...and you can know Him personally.
<>When you receive Him you can celebrate!
--Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth RECEIVE her king!
