The "real" meaning of Christmas (part 6)
God's desire-The "real"reason for Christmas
Look at the cross...
God Died there! So we wouldn't have to. So that God could be the JUST and the Justifier of us all!
The Reading of Psalm 23
There was once a Shakespearean actor who was known everywhere for his one-man show of readings and recitations from the classics.
He would always end his performance with a dramatic reading of Psalm 23. Each night, without exception, as the actor began his recitation - "The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want" - the crowd would listen attentively. And then, at the conclusion of the psalm, they would rise in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor's incredible ability to bring the verse to conclusion.
But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary recital of Psalm 23, a young man from the audience spoke up.
"Sir, do you mind, if tonight, I recite Psalm 23?"
The actor was quite taken aback by this unusual request, but he allowed the young man to come forward and to stand front and center on the stage to recite the psalm, knowing that the ability of this unskilled youth would be no match for his own talent.
With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the psalm.
When he was finished, there was no applause. There was no standing ovation as on other nights. All that could be heard was the sound of weeping.
The audience had been so moved by the young man's recitation that every eye was full of tears.
Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the youth, "I don't understand. I have been performing Psalm 23 for years. I have a lifetime of experience and training, but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight. Tell me, what is your secret?!"
The young man humbly replied, "Well, sir, you know the psalm... but I know the Shepherd." It makes a difference.
Dear Gentle Reader,
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. ( Gospel of John Chapter 19: verse 30)
In the Greek the word is Tetelestai meaning the debt has been paid in Full! There is no more debt. Mark canceled across the face of the bill no more are we under the curse of death or the pain of Sin. God has been the Just and the Justifier
But what did that mean to God?
Look at the proceeding verse "After this Jesus, knowing that all things are now finished, that the scripture might be accomplished, saith, I thirst"
As He hung there suspended between heaven and hell His mind surveyed the Hebrew Writings all the prophecies on the Messiah's death. All the prophets are finger posts pointing to the Messiah -Redeemer. Whether it be Moses the law-giver-prophet or David the psalmist-prophet, or Isaiah the excelsior writing-prophet, or Jeremiah the brokenhearted-prophet, or Ezekiel the vision-prophet, or any of the other prophets, all pointed to HIM.
In fact if the many and varied predictions are not fulfilled in Jesus then the Hebrew writings become an inexplicable medley of non-fulfillment. Apart from the Christ of Calvary the Old Hebrew writings are a book of unexplained ceremonies, unachieved purposes, unappeased longings, and unfulfilled prophecies: it becomes a revelation without a destination.
Remember the Coming One must be like the second Adam, a prophet like Moses, a priest like Aaron and Melchizedek (Have no Beginning) , a champion like Joshua, an offering like Isaac, a king like David, a wise counselor like Solomon, a beloved, rejected, exalted son and the world's bread-supplier like Joseph, and other typical personages all in one.
He must be the ark of the covenant, the sacrifice on the brazen altar, the mercy seat in the sanctuary, the water from the rock, the manna from heaven, the brazen serpent lifted up, the Passover lamb, the scapegoat, the lion of Judah, the good shepherd, the lily of the valley, the "root out of dry ground", yet altogether "lovely"
The endless marvel is that all are perfectly fulfilled in Jesus!
As He went on His way to Gethsemane and Calvary we find him saying in prayer to the Father, "I have glorified Thee on earth. I have finished the work which Though gavest Me to do. ( Gospel of John Chapter 7: verse 4)
Once more Tetelestai "It is finished or paid" Was the shout of the Conqueror exulting in His costly but victorious conquest over the power of death and the powers of darkness. Even so, in His Gethsemane wrestle and Calvary death, the Lord Jesus as our Champion fought off the hounds of hell, death and the grave which were bent on our eternal ruin.
And now "who is he that condemneth? Christ died; yes and rose again for you Gentle Saint of God and me!
-Denis
So that God could be the JUST and the Justifier of all of us!
