See The Hidden Glory Of God’s Son

You can still go to Bethlehem. Even though it has been over 2000 years since the first Christmas we could get on an airplane and fly to Israel and travel to the town where Jesus was born. And we can even go to the place that for centuries has been considered the actual location where Jesus was born. Of course, no one knows for sure if that is the precise place where Jesus was placed in a manger. But, none the less, we would very close to the birthplace of our King.

There is a relatively small church built there. And behind a high altar in that church there is a cave, a little cavern lit by silver lamps. We would enter the main edifice and admire the ancient church. Then we could also enter a quiet cave where there is a star embedded in the floor recognizing the birthplace of the King. There is one stipulation, however. People of average height have to stoop down to get in. The door is low so that most people can’t go in standing up. In addition to that the actual spot marked as the birthplace of Jesus is under a ledge that also requires a person to kneel down to see it.

We don’t know if those who built the church and preserved that spot as place of Jesus’ birth did all of those things deliberately, but they sure seem appropriate. Wouldn’t you agree that those who would worship Christ at Christmas must bow and kneel? No, we don’t have to literally kneel down. But to receive what Jesus came to give us it will require a humble heart and mind that get on their knees in humility. Tonight, let’s leave behind our pride and our thoughts about ourselves and witness the glory of the One and Only—God’s Son—who became human to give us life, and light, and hope. All those things we have been singing about and speaking about this evening are found in Christ alone. The baby in the manger wants us to have them. May we:

“SEE THE HIDDEN GLORY OF GOD’S SON”

I. He comes from the Father full of grace

II. He comes from the Father full of truth

I imagine that many of you have heard the ancient description of John’s Gospel. It has been said that John’s Gospel is like the ocean. In some ways it is shallow enough that a child can wade in it. But in other ways it is so deep that a person can never touch the bottom. The first chapter of John’s inspired record about Jesus’ life is the perfect example of those two extremes. On the one hand John states simply and clearly who Jesus is. He is God. He is the creator. Yes, a child can understand the words he wrote and put his or her faith in Jesus. But John’s words also boggle the mind of even the most intellectual adult. No matter our age or intelligence may all of us see the glory of God’s Son. He is the One and Only who came from the Father full of grace and truth.

I.

Once again, if we are going to see the glory of God’s Son and receive the grace that he brought to earth it will require humility on our part. Just as we would have to stoop and kneel if we were in Bethlehem in the Church of the Nativity so to our hearts must stoop and kneel to receive grace.

Although he hasn’t been in the news in a long time, I imagine that many of you remember the man nicknamed, “The Mouth of the South.” Since Ted Turner is now 84 he doesn’t make the regular splashes in the headlines that he used to make. But about 20 years ago he was interviewed for a USA Today article. Of course, the article spotlighted the multi-billionaire as the largest landowner in the U.S. and the owner of CNN and the Atlanta Braves. Toward the end of the article, Turner explained his motives for the philanthropy that he did. “You know, I’m not looking for any big rewards. I’m not a religious person. I believe this life is all we have. I’m not doing what I’m doing to be rewarded in heaven or punished in hell. I’m doing it because I feel it's the right thing to do. Almost every religion talks about a savior coming. When you look in the mirror in the morning, when you’re putting on your lipstick or shaving, you’re looking at the savior. Nobody else is going to save you but yourself.”

Before we shake our heads at Ted let’s look inside our own hearts. Did we come here tonight because we need a Savior? It’s tempting to think we can save ourselves by being good, or at least doing more good things than bad things. Maybe, we think of Jesus as a good teacher that shows us a better way to live so that then God will love us. Perhaps we see Jesus as the one who gives us some of God’s forgiveness and love but then it’s up to us to finish what he started. All of these ideas mean that we really haven’t seen the glory of God’s Son!