Last year while at the mall with his Mom, a seven-year-old boy watched as children lined up excitedly to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a little boy that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of God’s Son, with the innocence that only a child can have, he asked his Mom, “Where’s the line to see Jesus? If Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, why don’t we see him more?”
So where is the line to see Jesus?
The Gospel of John begins differently than the other three Gospel writers. As we read from John this morning, here just before Christmas, let’s remember that John was referred to as “the one that Jesus loved, His beloved.” But he didn’t start out that way. He was one of two sons known as the “Sons of Thunder”, along with his brother James, not to be confused with Jesus’ half brother James. John was from a wealthy family and he gave up all his riches to follow Jesus. Would we do the same? In the beginning he was certainly rough around the edges, but at the end of Christ’s ministry, he was filled with compassion and love. He learned how to love without conditions. I love you even though you have hurt me deeply. I love you even though you said those words. I love you no matter what. As I have always said from the start, there is a huge difference between love and approval. We may not approve of someone’s behavior, lifestyle or choices, but we still can love them. And John learned this. When we read of the crucifixion of Jesus, John was the only disciple present. John was entrusted to care for Jesus’ Mother Mary. John went on another 60 years to preach the Gospel message and continue to be a witness of what Christianity really stands for, what Jesus taught him and what he experienced firsthand. Why? Because of love. Jesus taught him how to love, Jesus transformed his life and He can do the same for us today.
Let’s look at the beginning of the Gospel of John. We spoke at the start that his Gospel begins differently than the others. Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus and leads up to the birth of Jesus. Mark begins his Gospel telling of John the Baptist preparing the way for the Messiah. The Gospel of Luke explains the Christmas story with the account of Elizabeth and Mary up to the birth of Jesus in the manger. Luke, chapter 2 is what we all read at Christmas time. Yet the Gospel of John begins differently. The first 14 verses lead up to the ministry of Jesus but these opening verses explain why He was born here on earth in the first place. It is the salvation message, that Jesus is the Son of God and was sent to save all of us yesterday, today and tomorrow. It is the message of hope for us. Why? Because of love. God’s unconditional love for each of us and this is really the Christmas message isn’t it? Because of the birth of Jesus 2000 years ago in that tiny village of Bethlehem, we were given hope, peace, joy, and especially love.
Let’s read together chapter 1, verses 1-14 of this firsthand account of the Gospel of John.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light; that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
I read of a story by the famous Danish philosopher from the mid 1800’s, a Christian theologian named Soren Kierkegaard. It is a familiar story, a story rewritten by many over the ages in many different forms, yet it is still relevant today. Here’s what he wrote:
A prince wanted to find a maiden suitable to be his queen. One day while running an errand in the local village for his father he passed through a poor section. As he glanced out the windows of the carriage his eyes fell upon a beautiful peasant maiden. During the ensuing days he often passed by the young lady and soon fell in love. But he had a problem. How would he seek her hand? He could order her to marry him. But even a prince wants his bride to marry him freely and voluntarily and not through coercion. He could put on his most splendid uniform and drive up to her front door in a carriage drawn by six horses. But if he did this he would never be certain that the maiden loved him or was simply overwhelmed with all of the splendor.
The prince came up with another solution. He would give up his kingly robe. He moved, into the village, entering not with a crown but in the garb of a peasant. He lived among the people, shared their interests and concerns, and talked their language. In time the maiden grew to love him, because of who he was and because he loved her first.
This very simple, almost childlike story is what John is describing here - God came and lived among us. He had to reveal Himself to us in an understandable way, and this is precisely what Jesus did - became flesh just like you and me. He made Himself understandable.
In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi he wrote; "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!"
I am in awe that this happened, because it shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that God desires to reach down to me... God is beyond my reach, but I’m not beyond His reach. He lowered Himself so that I can reach Him. Christ’s birth brought the infinite God within reach of finite man.
How can we find relevance in the first 14 verses of John today?
First - Not By Accident
Our earth was not created by an explosion, some cosmic perfect storm, or a big bang out there. It was created by God’s perfect design; go ahead, I’ll ask you to prove it to be untrue! The world was not created by accident nor were we born by accident. We were created by God with a purpose in mind. How can God have a purpose for each who is born? According to estimates, there are almost 500,000 babies born……..every day. How does God know each one? I can’t answer that, yet I know that God, the Creator of the Universe has more knowledge than I do; some have much more knowledge than I ever will. Although controversial, it is suggested that we use very little of our brain potential. Yet God has equipped us with all that we need, at any given time. It’s really not up to us to fully understand. Yet by faith we trust that God knows what He is doing (and I believe in His providence, throughout history, He has proven this to be true.) This is because of God’s love for us. It’s something we can’t explain or even justify. We receive His mercy and His grace free for the asking. We don’t deserve it, we really can’t measure up to God’s expectations yet God loves us in spite of it all. We were created out of God’s love for us throughout the ages, today He’s speaking to you and me, our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren and beyond. God loves us and wants us to spend eternity with Him through His Son Jesus Christ. His Son, sent by design, was certainly not by accident.
Second – Jesus was God’s Son
God’s Word became flesh through His Son Jesus Christ. If you study the Old Testament prophets, they all point to a coming Messiah, both the first and the second time. Do you know that all of the prophesies published to date have come true? Yes all. Not rewritten prophesies to make the future fit, but words written hundreds, and even thousands of years before the birth of Jesus that have come true. How do you think the simple shepherds in the field that night knew that the Messiah was born? Yes, the night sky was filled with a multitude of Angels, but they also knew very well the writings of the prophets. They knew and looked forward to someday when this would come to pass, and that night it did, and they dropped what they were doing and followed that star. How can we explain the wise men, however many there actually were, from the Far East making a long journey just to be in the presence of Jesus? How can we comprehend how Christ’s ministry has affected our world over the past 2000 + years? Prophesies were fulfilled and lives have been changed, your lives and mine. But there are so many others around us who do not know the Christmas message. The message of hope, peace, joy and love. The words and actions of Jesus in His lifetime. The understanding and belief that God’s Word became flesh in His Son Jesus Christ.
Third – Yes We Are Children of God
We were born of God. Yes, everyone present has at least two things in common. We all have or had a Mother and a Father. It is hard for me to believe that this is the one year Anniversary of my Dad’s death. Although we were conceived and born by our parents, scripture reminds us that we were born, not of the flesh, but of God. That makes sense. After all, Moses tells us in the first chapter of Genesis that we were formed the God’s image, plural, their image. Way back then God was referring to Jesus. So we were formed in the image of Jesus, so I expect our lives should image Him as well. It’s a common theme in our church, to strive to be Christ-like. But what exactly does that mean? Last week we spoke of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Spirit filled people should exhibit these character traits listed in Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Do any of these not apply to Jesus? If we read all of the Gospel accounts we’ll find examples of all of these fruits throughout Jesus’ life. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control; do any of these apply to us? I believe if we exercise the first fruit listed, love, the rest will fall into place. Jesus did, unconditionally. So this is the week of Christmas when we’ll celebrate the birth of our Creator Jesus. I know I say this often, but this can be the week to renew a relationship, mend some fences, or re-build some bridges. A simple phone call is all it will take, and I promise you will not be disappointed. On the other end of the line most people will be forgiving and either surprised or even glad that you reached out. Wouldn’t you like to celebrate Christmas Day by loving one another? Jesus did. His spur-of-the-moment disciple Peter once asked Jesus; “How often should I forgive someone, up to seven times?” Seven times was more than twice the expected in those days. I don’t know about you but I’m below five! As you know, Jesus replied; “I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven, almost 500 times. Really? Really. When others think of us, how many are they up to? This is what Christmas is all about. Last week we read a passage from John’s Gospel as well; “Just as My Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love.” And Jesus’ commandments? Not the big ten. Just two. Love God with all of your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. Christmastime is a time to celebrate Christ’s birth, and it’s truly all about love, God’s love for us and our love for others, unconditionally.
At the end of his Gospel, John said that he has seen all that Jesus has said and done. He said, "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in our presence, which are not recorded in this book because if every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written, but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. In other words, I have written all that you need to know in order to be saved. This is the Christmas message, the message of hope, the message of peace, of joy, and most importantly, the message of love. Amen
