As I think on this holiday season and what it means to so many people – the birth of Jesus. I am struck by the thought that the birth of the only begotten son, Jesus, leads to the death of that same son, Jesus Christ the Messiah.
And I wonder, when did he know the calling on his life? When did he know his birth was leading to his death on a cross? In the knowing he never lost sight of his purpose. He stayed the course even through sweat drops of blood.
Luke 22:44 NKJV And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Even so, Jesus was always about his Father’s will, not his own.
What about you? Do you know the calling you have on your life? Are you staying the course? Are you willing, even when its difficult or out of your comfort zone?
My thoughts have taken me to the cross of Christ, the tree he willingly went to and hung on for our redemption. How appropriate that Christmas includes a tree.
My thoughts have wandered down a traditional path of Christmas, the tree, the ornaments, the lights, and the tinsel. I love the brightness and glow of the decorated tree, all brought about by the reflection of light from the strands of colored bulbs, or from my favorite, the simple white lights. The ornaments and tinsel play their part as well, adding to the brightness as light bounces off their surfaces. Many parts making up the whole of the beauty of the tree.
Hmmm, sounds familiar to me.
1 Corinthians 12:12 NKJV For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
Every part necessary, accepted and honored. All in Jesus. That’s a beautiful picture and what a message for the world – everyone necessary, accepted and honored.
We know the phrases “in Christ, in Jesus” to be speaking of our restoration with God and our transformed lives, from the old to the new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Jesus wants us ALL IN to be sure.
John 3:16 NKJV For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
I think of another aspect when I think of “all in Jesus”. The phrase “all in” means fully committed to or involved in something.
Are you all in? Are you completely committed to Jesus and involved in his purpose, God’s plan?
Whether you’re a strand of bulbs, an ornament or tinsel we are all necessary to God’s plan, the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20a NJKV Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us.
Don’t hide your light. Be the reflection of the light of the world. Shine like the stars in the universe.
Philippians 2:15 That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
I have some special ornaments, bought on a trip as a memento or given by a friend. I can remember where and when I got that ornament. They bring me joy. You probably have some special ornaments like that as well.
I think, to Jesus, we’re all special ornaments on his tree, the cross and he can say “I remember exactly where and when I got that one. And she brings me joy.”
As you go about this Christmas season, bring joy to the world, share Jesus.