Christmas Characters #6 – Jesus - 23rd December 2007 am
The Christmas story is truly amazing. Perhaps no other story in the Bible speaks with such clarity about the power and the purpose of God. Just the fact that God stepped out of eternity into time is mind-boggling. Look at the shepherds, lowly and undeserving, yet called just the same. The angels amazed that the Creator was born in the image of the creature. These pagan wise men who travelled great distances came to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Then we see the manger and are reminded that Jesus laid aside certain attributes of His deity that He might become a man and die for sinners.
Then, I am called back to the words of the angel who visited the shepherds on that Judean hillside that night. In the angel’s words, we find the true glory of Christmas. Because, no matter what else we may make of it, Christmas will always be about the Baby born in Bethlehem.
Luke 2:11
It is amazing when you have a child and it is your responsibility to name that child – Hannah was Joshua until the day she was born.
Names in our day don’t mean so much. Parents pick out names for their children for many reasons. Some are different; others are weird; some are chosen to honour someone they think of as their hero;
When dad was moderating an exam in Norfolk he was going through the names list and there was someone called Rocky – Dad said that nicknames couldn’t go on certificates – it was his real name.
Sometimes a child will be named after a family member. But, most of the time, there is no special significance behind the choice of a name.
I have always been fascinated by names and the meaning of them:
Walter (German) Ruler of the Army
John (Hebrew) God is Gracious
Andrew (Greek) Manly
Elaine (Greek) Tourch, bright light
Eileen (Gaelic) Pleasant
Hannah (Hebrew) Grace – favoured
Maybe names don’t have much significance to them today but in Biblical times things were different. Names have great significance in the Bible. A name was not just the label that differentiated one person from another, but often described something about the person.
The name Abraham is translated "Father of a multitude", Jacob means "supplanter" and David "beloved". The most important names in the Bible, however, describe God Himself. He uses His names to help humanity understand the reality of who He is. God does not hide His identity and distance Himself from His creation. Instead, we have a God who desires to be known:
"... But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD." (Jeremiah 9:24)
This Christmas time, let us take a moment out of the hustle and bustle and seek the One whose birth Christmas celebrates. Who is Jesus Christ? Was He simply a good man, a teacher, or a revolutionary? Through His names, the Bible gives us great insight into the identity of the baby that was born in Bethlehem.
I. Jesus
The name “Jesus” is our Lord’s human name. He is given many names in the Bible and we will look at some of them today, but the name “Jesus” is the name that identifies Him with the very people He came to save, Phil. 2:5-8a. He was all God; yet He was all man too!
Imagine this; the Lord of glory came into this world. He came not as a King, but as a humble servant. He was not born in a palace, but a manger. Jesus understood poverty, Matt. 8:20; weariness, John 4:6; Matt. 8:24; hunger, Matt. 4:2; rejection, John 1:11, John 19:10; loneliness, John 6:15; Matt 26:29; temptation, Matt. 4:1-11; and the rest of the trials of the human condition.
He endured all that He did so that He might identify Himself with us, understand us, and be able to comfort us in our trials, Heb. 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
His name means “Jehovah is Salvation”. The word “salvation” tells us what Jesus came into this world to accomplish. He came to “save His people from their sins”, Matthew 1:21
The word “save” means “keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction”. How would Jesus accomplish this? He tells us in His own words, Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Jesus came to this world for one purpose only and that purpose was to die on the cross for sinners, (Phil. 2:8) Even our Lord’s great mission statement, Luke 19:10, reveals His intentions.
In spite of all He did while He was here, his primary purpose in coming into this world was so that He could die for His people.
II. Emmanuel:
From the Hebrew words Immanu: "with us" and El "God".
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:22, 23)
As I said, there were many children in that time named Jesus. But, there was only one Who could be called “Emmanuel”!
Thousands of babies were born into the world that same year, but only one of them would grow up to be the Saviour of the world! After all these years, Jesus still stands alone. He is the only One Who can save a lost soul, Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Mankind has fallen into the deep pit of sin. As he lies there perishing many would be saviours walk by with their advice.
* the legalist says “You shouldn’t fall into pits.”
* The religionist says, “I can tell you how to get out of that pit and avoid other pits in the future.”
* The pessimist says, “You’re going to die in that pit!”
* The optimist says, “I have seen worse pits than that.”
* The realist says, “You need to accept your pit.”
* The spiritualist says, “There is no pit.”
* But, Jesus comes by, and He says, “I’ll get into the pit with you and lift you out!”
That is exactly what Jesus did for you and me, Psa. 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. [2] He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. [3] And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
Jesus is the only One Who can save the sin-sick soul!
III. Saviour
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
This child’s mission wasn’t to save the wealthy, or the righteous. He came to set the sinner free – Luke 19:10
As Saviour, Jesus provided 3 essential services to the sinner:
1. We are Accepted in Him – Eph. 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
2. We are Delivered in Him – Delivered from sin’s penalty, power and presence. 1 Pet. 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot
3. We are Preserved in Him – Those whom Jesus saves are forever saved – John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
IV. Christ – Luke 2:11
This child came to do more than provide simple salvation. He came to allow us access into the very presence of Almighty God. Through Jesus, we can come before God Heb. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Jesus is the only means of access
The Name "Christ" refers to Jesus as the "Anointed High Priest." In this ministry, He addresses the Father on our behalf. He does this in two ways:
He talks to the Father on our behalf – Heb. 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
He pleads our case before the throne of God – 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
V. Lord – Luke 2:11
When the angel called Jesus Lord, He was referring to One who was to be in absolute control. This title of our Lord is a reminder to every Christian that Jesus Christ is to be the absolute authority in our lives. We are to allow Him the Headship in every area of our lives. (Ill. Rom. 12:1-2)
God’s demand for total obedience is not too much to ask. He knows that true love is always shown by obedience to Him.
Conclusion:
He is the Word, the Son of David. He is the Son of Man and the Son of God. He is the Rock, The Good Shepherd, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the great I Am "God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17)
That is who Jesus is.
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
It’s Christmas time! As such, we need to remember that the reason we are even here tonight is because of a little infant born into this world 2,000 years ago. That infant was no ordinary baby. As Saviour, He is worthy of our worship. As Christ, He is worthy of our dependence. As Lord, He is worthy of our obedience. As Jesus, He is worthy of all we can give to Him. Have you given Jesus your all this Christmas?
To the ARTIST He is the One Altogether Lovely.
To the ARCHITECT He is the Chief Corner Stone.
To the BAKER He is the Living Bread.
To the BANKER He is the Hidden Treasure.
To the BIOLOGIST He is the Life.
To the BUILDER He is the Sure Foundation.
To the CARPENTER He is the Door.
To the DOCTOR He is the Great Physician.
To the EDUCATOR He is the Great Teacher.
To the ENGINEER He is the New and Living Way.
To the FLORIST He is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.
To the GEOLOGIST He is the Rock of Ages.
To the HORTICULTURIST He is the True Vine.
To the JUDGE He is the Righteous Judge, Judge of All Men.
To the JEWELER He is the Pearl of Great Price.
To the LAWYER He is the Counselor, the Lawgiver, the Advocate.
To the NEWSPAPER He is the Good Tidings of Great Joy.
To the OCULIST He is the Light of the Eyes.
To the PHILANTHROPIST He is the Unspeakable Gift.
To the PHILOSOPHER He is the Wisdom of God.
To the PREACHER He is the Word of God.
To the SCULPTOR He is the Living Stone.
To the SERVANT He is the Good Master.
To the STATESMAN He is the Desire of All Nations.
To the STUDENT He is the Incarnate Truth.
To the THEOLOGIAN He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith.
To the TOILER He is the Giver of Rest.
To the SINNER He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World.
To the CHRISTIAN He is the Son of the Living God, the Saviour, the Redeemer and the Lord!
