Tag: december

2019

Jesus is Lord over the WORLD

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

How did Jesus come to be Lord of the whole world? Did He come as a royalty, with glittering gold and glistening gemstones? Or did He come as a valiant warrior, adorned with the skulls of those whom he killed in battle ?

No. He came—of all forms—as a baby. A dependent little baby.

Why would Jesus come vulnerable and small? Because He came to rule the world not through a display of power or of affluence, but through a display of humility. Of love.

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2019

Jesus is Lord over my FAMILY

But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15b)

We come from different families. Some are together, others are far apart, even falling apart. Some are blissful and blessed, others are battling a problem, even battling each other. Big or small, closely knit or not, in joy or in pain—whatever the condition of our family is—we can be sure of this: the God who holds our family is the same God who was able to bless all of Abraham’s family and all of his descendants (see Joshua 24:1-13). If He did it before, He can do so again, now. He can send blessings and favors to our family. He can bring peace and joy and love in our home. He can heal and save our relationships.

But like Joshua’s decision after recounting the many great things God has done, may we be also found saying, “as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

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2019

Jesus is Lord over my LIFE

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10b)

For the new year, we all want to be full: full of health and vigor, full of blessings and favors, full of achievements and breakthroughs, full of joy and peace. So we set goals, we make plans, we even write them down and pin them on our walls. While these are all good–even musts–let us not forget: the full life we want can only be found in Jesus, He who came down and forsook heaven just so we could have the best life here and in the hereafter.

The question now, then, is: Have you offered your goals to Jesus? Have you given Him control over your 2019? Have you surrendered your life to Him? Make Him Lord over your life and you’ll have life to the full.

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2018

Know God, Know Life

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17)

When God sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, into this world, He sent more than a baby. He sent us forgiveness, grace, and love. He sent us salvation for our souls, from the damnations of hell. He sent us the Way by which we can be reconciled to Him and the Door through which we could enter heaven. He sent us life. Life that is free and life that is full.

So this Christmas season, if you know God and have received His Son into your heart, you have received life. Is there a better gift?

2017

I have come that you might have life, and have it to the full

Just like any good shepherd who loves the sheep he owns, Jesus Christ demonstrated His love for us, His sheep, when He came down from heaven and dwelt among us—yes, He was even born amongst (actual, literal) sheep and other beasts!

The reason? That we may have life—and not just any kind of life, but life to the full. A life of full of His grace, mercy, forgiveness, love, peace, joy, blessings, and much, much more.

So, amidst all the shopping, gift giving, and partying this season, let us not forget the reason behind it all: the Good Shepherd came for His sheep. In other words: Christmas is, because Christ came.

2016

Declaring His SELF-EMPTYING PASSION, exalting Jesus

In the beginning, God was there. Before light filled the darkness; before the sun, moon, and stars filled the skies; before trees filled the land and creatures filled the seas—before any and everything ever was—God was already there, seated on His throne.

Then He, who in the beginning was there, came here.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14a)

Jesus Christ—the Alpha and Omega, the Mighty One, the King of kings, the Ruler of all—left all of heaven’s comforts, majesty, and glory; emptied Himself and made Himself nothing. Meaning:

He took the likeness of a man. Imagine the power of a God whose mere words shake the nations; imagine the vastness of a God for whom the earth is but a footstool; imagine the boundlessness of a God who is always present, who is everywhere. Imagine such a God… in the body of a baby: a little, helpless baby. He who is God became man; He who is invincible became subject to hunger and tiredness and pain. For what reason? That through Him, we, human beings, would have a way to the Father; that we, mere human beings, would become children of God (John 1:12)

He lived the life of a servant. It would be easy to think of the incarnate Jesus Christ in kingly robes, with a throng of slaves following His every move. After all, He was doing the Father and all of humankind a favor. Yet, when Jesus came, He came in all humility and lowliness: in a bed of straw, among cows and their dungs; lived a simple life, even among the poor and sick and outcast. Why? Because He came, not just to become man, but to be the servant of men (Mark 10:45).

He walked the way of the Cross. In His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ blessed the needy, healed the sick, and touched the lepers. But the height of His service can be seen when He received the insults, scorn, and judgment of the very people He was saving; when He surrendered His body to the cruel whips and lashes and blows of Roman soldiers; and when He trod each step to the atrocities of the Cross, to His death. Think about that, the Giver of Life—Life Himself—died, so that all of us, humans, might have life (John 10:10).

In sum, God’s self-emptying is this: Jesus Christ forsook His deity, His kingship, His life—all because He, in His great love, could not forsake us.