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. . .”
FIFTH, the babe in the manger was (and is) the JUDGE. (6)
John 5:22- “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
2 Timothy 4:1- “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.”
STORY: “Christian writer and commentator Warren Wiersbe, tells about a town where a horse bolted and ran away with a wagon carrying a little boy. Seeing the child in danger, a young man risked his life to catch the horse and stop the wagon. The child who was saved grew up to become a lawless man, and one day he stood before a judge to be sentenced for a serious crime. The prisoner recognized the judge as the man who, years before had saved his life; so he pled for mercy on the basis of that experience. But the words from the bench silenced his plea: "Young man, then I was your savior; today I am your judge, and I must sentence you to be hanged." One day Jesus Christ will say to rebellious sinners, "During that long day of grace, I was the Savior, and I would have forgiven you. But today I am your Judge." Ref: SermonCentral.Com., Savior. Contributor: Santos, Joel. Accessed November 27, 2011.
(7) LAST, the babe in the manger was (and is) KING OF KINGS and LORD of LORDS! In Revelations 19:13, we have a description of The Word of God (we know from John 1:1-3, 21 that this is Jesus Christ. Let’s look at the following verses: Rev 19:14-16: “And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
CONCLUSION (8)
Let’s sum up what we have seen regarding the babe in the manger: He is God; Creator; Saviour; High Priest and Judge. We find a good description in, 1 Timothy 1:17: “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
What a description of just who those witnessing the Babe in the manger were entertaining. Perhaps, you remain unawares of this STRANGER we have looked at?
I truly hope this is not the case.
If it is, may I introduce you to this wonderful SAVIOR this morning?
I ask you to not walk away from the greatest gift ever given to humanity: Eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Folks, this is the true meaning of Christmas.
God loves you and Jesus died for you.
Won’t you come to Him this morning; we can show you how!
It is this Babe, the SAVIOR of mankind that reconciliation to God is made possible. Jesus paid the ransom; but, have you accepted this gift of salvation this morning? Or, do you reject such a notion?
AS YOU STAND BEFORE THE: Babe, Savior and High Priest: This morning you must make a choice. Do you believe or reject Jesus Christ? One day you will stand before Jesus as Judge and King. (9)
John 3:16-18: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
CLOSING STORY
Many years ago in the countryside of Bethlehem the townsfolk prepared for just another day, though this day was quite extraordinary. The shepherds were out tending to their sheep and the Jewish nation was feeling the restraints of Roman oppression. Everyone was ordered by a decree to come and register within their hometown and this is what brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.
The inns were full and there was no lodging to be found. The only unsettling lodging that Joseph could find for he and his pregnant wife was that of a stable. The town bustled with noise and the folk were scurrying about busily. What is it that the Jewish nation has been seeking for years on end! A Messiah, a Savior! Well, very quietly, tonight was to be the night for such a miracle!
Unbelievably, the time of birth was upon Mary; yet, the hustle and bustle of life marched on! In due time, Mary gave birth to a miraculous Child; one conceived of God. He was the Messiah, the Savior. You know we become discouraged when little attention is paid to days important to us (birthdays, anniversaries etc.). We have something much greater going on in Bethlehem; but, to most Joseph, Mary and the Christ-child were strangers to most! To tell you the truth; some people came to see this comely child; but, the few that did understood very little regarding the enormity of this event. Isaiah proclaimed “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). Yet, there were others that had not the time for such a trifle affair!
As we enter this Christmas season and look back at the birth, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and enthronement of the tiny little Babe; who is now sitting upon the throne of heaven. How do we entertain such a stranger? In all honesty, who can fully comprehend God manifested in the flesh as such a small incarnated wonder! The truth is that God has made countless provisions for you and I this morning (atonement, reconciliation, redemption, justification, sanctification, glorification, the Word, the Holy Spirit etc…) and He really is no stranger at all. No, the Christmas question this year is this: What will you do with Jesus? May I challenge you to open your heart (entertain) the Savior this morning? Don’t miss such an opportunity as to entertain a Savior with true humbleness this morning!
David Tack. November 27, 2011.
* Power Points available upon request
