The Cross In The Tree

Matthew 27:50-51a, Colossians 3:1-10

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

PDF, Word format available plus live sermon at the above website.

Is it ok for believers to have a Christmas tree? With all its pretty lights, garland, tinsel, ornaments and presents doesn’t the tree distract us from Jesus lying in a manger? As Christmas approaches, are we dreaming of Christ’s birth some 2,000 years ago whom brought the world peace, joy and reconciliation with a holy God or are we busy dreaming about the material gifts we are about to receive that brings us happiness for a few hours, days or weeks? To keep from being caught up in the world’s “commercial Christmas” should believers throw out their trees and refuse to buy any gifts? If this is the only way, we can focus on Christ on His birthday then the answer is YES this is exactly what we must do. A better approach would be to redeem Christmas by seeing the cross in the tree and gifts as an extension of our love for one another.

Jesus’ Gift – Closeness to God

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Before we can truly see the cross in the tree, we must first understand the gift that we received upon Christ’s death. The moment Jesus gave up His spirit we are told either by an earthquake or more likely by the hand of God the elaborate fabric of the sixty-foot-high curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:31-35; 40:21) was torn from top to bottom. Because Christ’s atoning death permanently satisfied God’s wrath on humanity’s sin, the degrees of access or barriers to God were forever removed (Hebrews 10:19-22). As the priests watched the veil torn in two by God as He left His temple would they have realized that hanging the Messiah on the tree would lead to judgement against the temple activity (Matthew 21:12-22) and the abolishment of the OT sacrificial system and high priesthood? Would they have realized that “a new age of God’s dealings with His people had begun” in which His Most Holy Place could be accessed by anyone who had faith in a risen Savior?

Imagine for a moment that you were alive when Jesus was born and chose to serve the God of Israel. As you meditate (Psalms 1:2) and allow God’s word to guide your every step (Psalms 119:133) your love grows to the point that all you desire is to be nearer to His presence (Psalms 74:25-26). While you know that God is indivisibly present everywhere (Psalms 139), you still dream about getting a glimpse of His glory. So, you leave your home in Galilee and walk 80 miles to Jerusalem. As you approach the temple and see the crowds, the joy of drawing nearer to God is almost overwhelming! As you approach you notice tablets with writing on them both Greek and Latin warning any Gentile that proceeds to enter the forecourt of the sanctuary will be immediately put to death! So you ask the people around you if there might be some way that you could proceed and they state that only the Jews are allowed into the forecourt of the sanctuary, only priests and Levites are allowed to proceed into the court or sanctum and only the high priest is allowed to enter the Holy of Holies once a year. With great sadness you stand in the outer court of the Gentiles and are left to dream of someday getting that glimpse of His presence!

In the context of the above story imagine what the tearing of the temple means for Christians today. The moment Jesus atoned for our sins separation between us and God ended. No longer would we merely dream about being close to God, our bodies became the temple in which God chose to send His Spirit to dwell (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)! To have His Spirit “testify with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16) erases any doubt concerning our eternal destination. Because of Christ’s atonement we are no longer needing to offer sacrifices (Hebrews 10:1-17) but instead through confession are forgiven and cleansed of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Since God replaced our heart of stone with that of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26), no longer are God’s commands are a burden (1 John 5:2-5) but a love letter from He who enables us to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). As His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) and royal priests (1 Peter 2:9) God promises as we draw nearer to Him, He will draw nearer to us (James 4:8). No longer do we need to look for God from afar but though Christ can boldly approach the Father’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).