For us Christian, Christmas can’t be separated from the Cross, because Christmas is there because of the cross. Yes, Jesus is born as a human being - a baby in a manger, a Savior for His people, the Messiah, this is in order to to bring good news - the joy has dawned! But this baby has to go through the pain and suffering of the cross to fulfill that intent.
On this Christmas season, I would like to take us to reflect a bit on this purpose. So Let’s read on John 17, where Jesus after He gave his farewell message to His disciples then Jesus went to take his last prayer before He is crucified.
As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. (John 17:18 ESV)
This is Christmas: that God sent His son (Jesus Christ) to this world, but see how Jesus relates Christmas with mission. What is the mission?
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. (John 17:1-4 ESV)
Jesus’ mission is to glorify God the Father by giving eternal life to humanity that is for humanity to be able to know (ginosko: to have an intimate relationship with) God the Father and Jesus Christ whom God the Father has sent. Think about it for a moment. Why would God sent Jesus Christ who is God to become human? Moreover to take such humiliation starting from becoming human itself (which is far limited compared to God himself), and not just human but a lowly human - born in a manger - not even a proper room. I wonder if Jesus was born in a proper room, in exchange there must be someone else to take the manger as their place to stay that night, because the bible said that there is no room anymore at that time. God’s grace, mercy and kindness is reflected in this baby boy being born in a manger so that you and i have the room to stay. His life shows who God is, and at the end of his ministry, his death takes away the sin of the world, his death becomes the substitute of what we should have, and his resurrection defeats the power of sin, and gives us victory and assurance of eternal life. Jesus was born with a mission - Christmas is a model of mission.
Now Jesus, before his crucifixion prays this prayer so that we follows Him, because we are in Him. Jesus is not of this world (verse 16), so do we; the world hated Jesus (verse 14), so do we, and lastly Jesus was sent to this world (verse 18), so do we.
As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. (John 17:18 ESV)
Jesus was sent to this world, with a mission to manifest God’s name (to manifest means that we believe in as well as lived in), so that people who God has given to Jesus may know (have intimate relationship) with God through Jesus the Son - so do we. So, how is Christmas for us? are we doing the mission that Jesus did for us? Jesus not just asking us to follow Him, but he also prays for us, and His work will be completed in and through our lives as we take the step of obedience.
So Let this Christmas, be a time to reflect on God’s abundant grace to us as He has revealed Himself to us so that we can have eternal life, and also an encouragement for us to do His mission and to take confidence because Jesus prays and do the work for us.
Merry Christmas,
Paul
On this Christmas season, I would like to take us to reflect a bit on this purpose. So Let’s read on John 17, where Jesus after He gave his farewell message to His disciples then Jesus went to take his last prayer before He is crucified.
As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. (John 17:18 ESV)
This is Christmas: that God sent His son (Jesus Christ) to this world, but see how Jesus relates Christmas with mission. What is the mission?
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. (John 17:1-4 ESV)
Jesus’ mission is to glorify God the Father by giving eternal life to humanity that is for humanity to be able to know (ginosko: to have an intimate relationship with) God the Father and Jesus Christ whom God the Father has sent. Think about it for a moment. Why would God sent Jesus Christ who is God to become human? Moreover to take such humiliation starting from becoming human itself (which is far limited compared to God himself), and not just human but a lowly human - born in a manger - not even a proper room. I wonder if Jesus was born in a proper room, in exchange there must be someone else to take the manger as their place to stay that night, because the bible said that there is no room anymore at that time. God’s grace, mercy and kindness is reflected in this baby boy being born in a manger so that you and i have the room to stay. His life shows who God is, and at the end of his ministry, his death takes away the sin of the world, his death becomes the substitute of what we should have, and his resurrection defeats the power of sin, and gives us victory and assurance of eternal life. Jesus was born with a mission - Christmas is a model of mission.
Now Jesus, before his crucifixion prays this prayer so that we follows Him, because we are in Him. Jesus is not of this world (verse 16), so do we; the world hated Jesus (verse 14), so do we, and lastly Jesus was sent to this world (verse 18), so do we.
As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. (John 17:18 ESV)
Jesus was sent to this world, with a mission to manifest God’s name (to manifest means that we believe in as well as lived in), so that people who God has given to Jesus may know (have intimate relationship) with God through Jesus the Son - so do we. So, how is Christmas for us? are we doing the mission that Jesus did for us? Jesus not just asking us to follow Him, but he also prays for us, and His work will be completed in and through our lives as we take the step of obedience.
So Let this Christmas, be a time to reflect on God’s abundant grace to us as He has revealed Himself to us so that we can have eternal life, and also an encouragement for us to do His mission and to take confidence because Jesus prays and do the work for us.
Merry Christmas,
Paul
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