(Some thought to meditate on as we approach Christmas)

Recently I have been very aware that the Lord wants us to look at Him as King.     Whenever  I have sat down to spend quiet time with Him, a hymn referring to that relationship has come to mind, I have even woken during the night with "Jesus is King"  dominating my thoughts.    

With Christmas approaching it seems right to recognise the fact that the baby in the manger was born to be King and yet He was born to save us from sin, by surrendering all to His Father and dying a cruel death on the cross.    Meditating on these well known facts led me to see a tiny, helpless baby nailed to a cross!    Barbaric yes, but that is why Jesus was born and before we start to enjoy the annual festivities we would do well to think on these things.

When the shepherds were told of the birth of Jesus it must have been a great surprise.   Who would have thought that such ordinary people would be the first to hear that the Messiah had been born and He would bring salvation for all people - such a message of Good News and Joy, and what a band of heavenly messengers.

A week later Jesus was taken to the temple according to the Jewish custom.    Every first-born male belonged to God and it was necessary for the parents to redeem the child with an offering.   For Joseph and Mary, being poor,  the offering was a pair of turtle doves.    But they were buying back the most precious of lives in order that he might grow up as a human child and become acquainted with sin and humanity's needs.    He would then be required to give up that life under cruel conditions in an unfair, world.

But the amazing thing was that two people were waiting for that baby.     Simeon, an old, devout man, took him in his arms and prayed the most wonderful prophetic prayer over him.  

This is known as the Nunc Dimittis, Simeon was waiting to see the Lord's anointed before he died.      But there was also an elderly prophetess Anna; both of these faithful servants of God recognised the child, and knew the reason for his coming to redeem Jerusalem and the world, they knew the truth of the Old Testament promises.

All this seems to point to Jesus as Saviour, so why King?

The expected Messiah was meant to be a King and when the "Wise Men from the East" turned up to worship him  (Matthew  Chapter 2) they sought a King and went to Herod's Palace.    Herod afraid of a threat to his throne attempted to have the child killed and Mary and Joseph had to escape to Egypt.  

But it was not until the time of Jesus' trial in Jerusalem,  33  years later, that His true KIngship was revealed.     The soldiers dressed him in a purple robe and a crown of thorns (John 19, Mark 15)   When Pontius Pilate asked if he was the "King of the Jews" ,  Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world........."  and admitted to being born for this purpose "To testify to the truth. "  and he added, "Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice"  (John 18 36-37)   

Pilate had asked him "What is truth?"  but got no answer.

We NEED an answer and in fact Jesus had already given it to his followers.   "I am the  Way, the TRUTH and the  life" (John 14:6)

But Jesus also stressed our need to live in this word if we were to be his disciples, he spoke of knowing the truth and the truth setting us free. (John 8:31-32)   By this he meant that we could be set free from sin  and would become children of God    He promises  the "Spirit of Truth who will guide us into all truth" (John 16:13) this is the Holy Spirit who is willing to live in us and change us to be the people God intends, the Church that He desires.

Jesus prayed for his followers (John 17) and that includes Christians today that we might "Be sanctified (made holy) in truth."    He desired that we might live in the world, but living according to His word and God's word is truth (v17)

But to return to Chapter 18 and "Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice"  (John 18 36-37)   

Can we say this Christmas that we belong to the TRUTH?   Can we say that we listen to the voice of God, whether we think of that voice as being the Father's voice or that of Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

Do words of Scripture catch hold of us, as if we could say, "God is speaking to me in that passage"? 

Hold fast to such words, turn then over in your mind, meditate on them and let your spirit absorb them until you really believe them and know them to be the TRUTH.     Don't stop when they have been memorised and you can recall them at will.   In order to change you they must become a part of you, you must know them with your heart.   Then you will really BELIEVE the word of God,  and know it to be the TRUTH.    

The King's gift on offer to you now  is the Spirit of Truth.    What is your gift to Him?

    Mary Newsom

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