A short sermon for the Swedlanka Child Development Centre.
When I was a boy I really liked the stories about Superman, faster than a train, faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Who are the famous cartoon super heroes now? The marvel characters? Antman?
In the Bible we hear great things about God, God’s people and Jesus, and that Jesus did great and wonderful things. It’s like Jesus was super human a superman or something. It’s like he was better than Superman, better than Spiderman, better than all the super heroes.
These super heroes make us real humans look pretty ordinary, it’s really hard to relate to just how awesome they are. I guess it would be really hard for them to relate to us too.
The thing I like about Jesus is that he can relate to us. I guess that is one of the main reasons I am living my life for Jesus.
His story, that we read about at Christmas, starts with an angel going to a girl who was engaged to be married and told she would have a baby and the baby would be God’s son and that he would save God’s people from the wrong things they were doing. This girl it is thought was probably 16 to 18 years old. So Jesus was born to really young parents, in rough sort of circumstances, Jesus, Mum’s husband was a carpenter, we know from the Bible that he had brothers and sisters, we know that when he was forgotten by his parents when he 12 years old when they visited the Temple in Jerusalem. We also know that he was a good teacher and related well to the young men who followed him. Did you know that a teacher like Jesus, a Rabbi, would normally pick from the best students in the best schools to be his followers, but Jesus picked young men, some maybe as young as thirteen to be his students, these guys had finished school because they were not the best students, We know that Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen, Matthew was a tax collector, Simon was into politics, Jesus related well to these everyday young men. These young men went onto change the world.
Jesus gave these young men a life beyond what they could imagine, he has given me a life beyond what I could ever imagine.
Jesus was a baby, born to bring us all into a life beyond what we can imagine, and eternal life. The prophet Isaiah in spoke these words about Jesus many years before he was born. Isaiah 9:6-15
For to us, a child is born,
to us, a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this. (Sounds like Jesus was to be a Superhero alright.)
Today I want to leave you with this knowledge, no matter what you are doing in your life now, no matter where you are in your school work or thinking about life, Jesus understands your situation. He was born a baby, lived his life as a child, a young man, he grew in wisdom and stature, but continued to relate to ordinary people, though because he is God and he did amazing things, walked on water, calmed storms, healed the sick.
In Johns gospel chapter 10, verse 10 one of my favourite Bible verses he says; I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness. At Christmas time let us remember this baby, but let us also remember Jesus understands or life situation and that he came so that we can all have life in all its fullness. And because he is a real Super Hero he gave us the Holy Spirit to be now; our Helper Comforter, friend and strength. (John 14:26).
Jesus not only relates to you but takes your concerns and your prayers seriously; he wants you to be young men of character and will bless you with wisdom and the presence of his Holy Spirit when you ask. As someone who has followed him since I was sixteen years old, I ask you young men this Christmas and always, be open to Jesus the one true Super Hero helping you through your life journey. He truly does understand and relate to you.
