One Solitary Life
He was born in an obscure village…
The son of a peasant woman espoused to a lowly carpenter.
He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness.
He had no credentials but himself.
Nineteen centuries have come and gone…
Of all the armies that have ever marched,
all the navies that have ever sailed,
of all the governments that have ever ruled…
Nothing has changed the course of the history of mankind as much as this one single solitary life.
For he who knew no sin humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the father.
That in everything he might have dominion over the sin that separates us from the righteous judgement of almighty God. For Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, paid the price for our sin nature when he became the sinless sacrifice on our behalf, that we who were dead in trespasses and sin, may receive life and become the righteousness of God in him.
Many may have come to church burdened and heavy laden. We may have approached the throne of grace with a heavy heart. We celebrate Christmas so that Jesus the Christ, the son of the living God could come and rescue us from the darkness of our self-centered souls and the darkness of this fallen world. When we draw close to him, the first thing we hear him say is “I love you.” Though we were unworthy, he made us worthy and now by his grace his mercy has made us his own.
One solitary life, God’s only begotten son, was sent by God, so that the world would be saved by the shedding of his innocent blood.
Therefore we can forget what lies behind and press toward that which is ahead… for we press toward the mark of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus. He, having delivered us from the burden of guilt and shame, allows us access into the Holy of Holies. We can now come boldly before the throne of grace when we repent, when we turn from the darkness of the world and turn our eyes upon the bright and morning star, Jesus Christ, God’s day star, the light of the world.
When we as prodigal sons, come to ourselves, turn from the ways of the world, arise and go unto our Father because of the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf, our Father will run to meet us. He will embrace us in his arms.
We are blessed when we are meek and lowly of heart, humbling our hearts under the mighty hand of God.
Christmas ushers into his holy of holies… for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders. And his name shall be called wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, Prince of Peace… and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
May God richly bless you as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Christ, the Redeemer, the son of the living God!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael
(One Solitary Life is based on an essay by Dr James Allan Francis in “The Real Jesus and Other Sermons” © 1926 by the Judson Press of Philadelphia)