“THE CANDY CANE” by George Crumbly LUKE 2:8-11
(The Lord gave me this message after I received the story from an email devotional I receive daily. I was able to use the points and let God give me the meat of the message)
Here we are the last Sunday before Christmas. The Lord gave me this message a couple of weeks ago. It was neat as it started out in a story I got from a devotional.
Legend has it that in the 18th Century somewhere in Europe no public display of Christianity was allowed. No crosses or Bibles were allowed and the Christians were greatly oppressed. One old man who was a candy maker by profession, was particularly distressed by this. He loved the Lord with all of his heart and couldn’t stand to not share that love with the world. His heart especially went out to the children when Christmas drew near and no one was allowed to have a nativity scene on display in their homes. He prayed for God to show him some way to make Christmas gifts for the children which would teach them the story of Christ.
The answer God gave him was the candy cane. This morning I want to share with you how the candy cane was used to teach people about Jesus Christ.
Luke 2: verses 8-11 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Today we need all the help we can get to remind us that Jesus truly is the reason for the season. This morning I want to share with you what this old candy maker was thinking as well as the point he was trying to get across with the candy cane.
I.The candy cane was in the shape of a shepherd"s staff: This was to show the people that Jesus is our Shepherd and we are His flock. (Too many folks today forget that it is ACTUALLY in that order…HIM SHEPHERD---WE FLOCK) A sheep follows his own shepherd, knows his voice, and trusts him and knows that he is totally safe with him. The sheep will follow no other shepherd but their own.
This is how we are to be with Jesus if we truly follow Him (John 10:11) "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”.
II. The upside down the candy cane was a "J", the first letter of Jesus’ name.
( Luke 1:31) 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. It reminds us this morning that it’s not about YOU….or ME…. THE CHURCH…it’s not about MONEY…..it’s ALL about JESUS.
Matthew 1:21-25 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, 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. 24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
He will save His people from their Sins……
III. The candy cane was made of hard candy to remind us that Christ is the rock of our salvation.
I love the story of the men building their houses on different foundations (Luke 6:48) “He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built”. This morning…if we aren’t building our foundations on this SOLID ROCK then we are building in vain.
IV. The wide red stripes on the candy cane were to remind us of the blood Jesus shed on the cross
The BLOOD He shed for each one of us so that we can have eternal life through Him. He redeems us and cleanses us with His shed blood - the only thing that can wash away our sin. (Luke 22:20) “Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you”.
V. The white stripes on the candy cane remind us of the virgin birth, His sinless life and purity of our Lord. He is the only human being who ever lived on this earth who never committed a single sin. Even though He was tempted just as we are, He never sinned. What an example He set for you & me… (I Peter 2: 22) “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth”.
VI. The three narrow red stripes on candy canes remind us that by His stripes, or wounds, we are healed
Before Jesus was crucified He was beaten, the crown of thorns was placed on His head; His back was beaten to a bloody pulp from the whip. We are healed by those wounds. He bore our sorrows and by His stripes we are healed. Because of what He went thru, I can be saved!!! (Isaiah 53:3) 5But 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.
VII. The flavoring in the candy cane was peppermint, which is similar to hyssop.
Hyssop is of the mint family and was used in Old Testament times for purification and sacrifice just as Jesus sacrificed His life for ours. (Psalm 51:7) 7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
VIII. The old candy maker told them that when we break our candy cane it reminds us that Jesus’ body was broken for us.
When we take communion together it reminds us of what Jesus did for us. (I Cor. 11:24) “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me”.
VIIII. When we share our candy cane and give one to others in love, it reminds us of the same love of Jesus.
We too are to share Jesus with others….(I John 4:7,8) 7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
God gave Himself to us when He sent Jesus. There are people who believe this story of the candy cane is just a legend. Some believe it really happened. We do not know for sure exactly how the candy cane was invented, but there is one thing for certain... it is an excellent picture of Christ and His love for you.
