The Bible is a one-of-a-kind book. It is the inspired word of God. The Holy Spirit moved the hearts and minds of forty different writers over a period of 1500 years to record exactly what God wanted us to have. One of the unique features of the Bible is the consistency of the message all the way through. Another unique feature is that the Holy Spirit tapped into the character and personality of each writer. They were not all alike.
With that in mind, this month as we focus on Christmas and the birth of Jesus, our Savior, I want to zero in on several aspects of His coming.
In the Gospels, we have four very different writers, each with a different background, personality, and perspective.
A. Matthew, who had been a tax collector is seen as a teacher. He presents Christ to us as the King. He wrote to the Jews, portraying Jesus as lionlike, and focusing on our Lord’s sermons.
B. Mark is seen primarily as a preacher. He presents Christ to us as the Servant. Jesus came to serve. If you looked for an animal-like characteristic, I think it would be an ox. Jesus was very strong in every aspect of His person. Mark was writing to the Romans and he focused on the miracles of Jesus.
C. Luke, a physician, was a historian and he presented Christ to us as the perfect man with man-like features. Luke was writing to the Greeks and he gives a major focus on the parables of Jesus.
D. John was a theologian. He portrays Jesus as the mighty God, with eagle-like characteristics. John focused on doctrine and he wrote to the world. He wants every to know that Jesus is God, clothed with flesh.
Another unique feature in some of the Gospels is the genealogies. In the genealogy recorded by Matthew, there are four women mentioned. This was unusual in oriental and Middle Eastern cultures.
- Tamar was an ex-harlot. Matthew 1:3, Genesis 38:13-30
- Rahab was an ex-harlot. Matthew 1:5, Joshua 2:1
- Ruth was a former pagan. Matthew 1:5, Ruth 1:4
- Bathsheba was a former adulteress. Matthew 1:6, 2 Samuel 11:1-5
This group was not very prestigious to be in the lineage of our Lord. I think the message we get here is that God’s grace can reach and transform anyone who comes to Christ by faith.
Let’s take a moment and explore the preface of John’s gospel found in John 1:1-5 NLT.
In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
These five verses are perhaps the most profound in the Bible because they reveal three fundamental truths about our Savior.
- We see His eternality – “In the beginning was the Word…”
- We see His personality – “And the Word was with God…”
- We see His deity – “And the Word was God.”
So, we see that Jesus Christ was with the Father in eternity past. He was the Creator of all things. He is both the life and light of all people. He shone in the darkness, and the darkness could not hide His light. While Luke focuses on the details of Christ’s life, John focuses on the deity of Christ.
Jesus is the most amazing person to ever walk on the face of this earth. He was the Son of Man and He was the Son of God (God the Son).
In John 10:10 NKJV Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Have you received Christ as your Savior and the new life He wants to give you? If you haven’t, why don’t you do so right now? Talk to Him. Admit to Him that you are a sinner. We all are, without exception. Let Him know that you need and want Him in your life. Ask him to forgive your sins and to come in – and He will!!
In Revelation 3:20 NLT, Jesus says to us – “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
What a promise! Believe it and act on it, and you will be able to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas all month long – and all year long. If you read this meditation and receive Christ, please tell someone about your decision and new life in Christ.
In Christ alone, Pastor Leonard
