Messianic Moments
Posted on December 3rd, 2009.
by Pastor James Bell
GOD WHISPERS TO THE SENSITIVE BEFORE HE THUNDERS TO THE UNBELIEVING
Zacharias was old and disappointed. Mary was young and filled with hope. Gabriel had a message for each of them. That message was the long awaited announcement of the Messiah. It was first whispered gently to a priest and and a young girl about to be married. Messiah! Not only would they be alive at his coming, they would also participate in the occasion.
Jewish teachers gathered around a 12 year old. How does he know these things? From where does the depth of understanding come? Galilean parents arriving to pick up their son didn’t provide a clue to clear up the situation. In fact, they clouded it even more. Galilee?
Jesus looked in the face of an excited Galilean fisherman, “Peter, your understanding of this didn’t come from human knowledge. It’s from the Father”. Others in the group of disciples listened and wondered, “Is this….is this the…Messiah?
A mother, a soldier and a thief would never forget Golgotha. Neither would a disciple who watched, weeping, from a safe distance. But the fullness of it’s meaning would come through the silence of an empty tomb. The angel’s simple explanation, “He is risen!”, would eventually thunder across continents and affect generations of people.
This Christmas Sermon Series will be “Messianic Moments”. When we celebrate the birthdays of famous leaders and noble men and women, we don’t just remember them in their infancy. We celebrate and remember their lives. We will visit the manger this December, but we will continue on to the purpose and focus of Jesus’ life on this earth. Each week we will explore a Messianic moment.
Christmas is the perfect season for the gospel to illuminate the hearts of people who have yet to discover the joy of knowing Jesus. Bring your friends and relatives to our services this Christmas season. It could result in the best present a person could ever receive!
Oh, and there is something else I want to make sure you know. Christmas is sometimes lonely, frustrating and even depressing to folks who are struggling through difficult times in their lives. Will you brighten things up for those around you? Come a little early and have a cup of coffee or tea. Meet and greet people, being sensitive to what you see and hear. Be Jesus to someone this Christmas.
At the Bell household, we are moving boldly into the season with lots of activities at church, Suz’s parents hanging out with us until their new home is finished, four dogs adding their unique personalities to the blend, and finally the kids and grandkids arriving on Christmas Eve.
Joy to the world!
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