Marveling at the Incarnation, Marveling at the Cross

Just came across this wonderful excerpt from Dr. MacArthur's sermon entitled: "The Incarnation of the Triune God," taken from Philippians 2:6-11, and thought I should share it:

"Humility is the theme of Christmas...humility. St. Augustine wrote so beautifully of His humility, so beautifully. 'The word of the Father," he said, "by whom all time was created was made flesh and born in time for us. He without whose divine permission no day completes its course, wished to have one of those days for His human birth. In the bosom of His Father He existed before all the cycles of the ages. Born of an earthly mother, He entered on the course of the years on that very day. The maker of man became man that He ruler of the stars might be nourished at the breast, that He the bread might be hungry, that He the fountain might thirst, that He the light might sleep, that He the way might be wearied in the journey, that He the truth might be accused by false witnesses, that He the judge of the living and the dead might be brought to trial by a mortal judge, that He justice itself might be condemned by the unjust, that He discipline personified might be scourged with a whip, that He the foundation might be suspended on a cross, that He courage incarnate might be weak, and He security itself might be wounded, and He life itself might die.' "
(taken from: http://www.biblebb.com/files/mac/m2003.htm. Copyright by John MacArthur, 1997, Grace to You).

May we all take time this Christmas to marvel at the incarnation of the Son of God and remember and cherish the PURPOSE of it all.

Let us not simply stop at the manger but recall the cross...Once your enemies, now seated at your table, THANK YOU JESUS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

The Wedded Poor

Similar to a few other Talians here, I’ve recently married a person who loves the King of kings. My wife and I became “wife and I” in October. Prior to that, we (like others) ran around for weeks getting various errands finished before our wedding day. One errand in particular brought an interesting thought to mind.

First, let’s talk about the season we’re in: Christmas. We’re celebrating the Son of God who came to Earth by way of a virgin birth. He was born a baby and grew up to accomplish the Father’s work, which encompassed and accomplished much in His life, ministry, death, and resurrection.

I’d like to touch on just one accomplishment for the time being: Christ’s calling of His church. One reason Jesus became a man was to begin and establish His church, His future bride. His coming, accomplishing power over sin, and ascending to the Father sealed forever a redemption and reconciliation of sinners to God. These sinners would be His church, His future bride. Christ’s coming was, in part, a beginning of His own wedding preparations.

Revelation 19:7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."

My own wedding had a lot of preparations, and the one that struck a note with me in particular was when we went to get our marriage certificate. It was a simple process, but what stood out was the cost: $90. We had no problem paying for the simple piece of paper, but it seemed a notable expense, especially for those with great financial difficulty. Ever wonder what Della and Jim would have done?

It made me think of God’s merciful call to those who thirst... who hunger... who are poor.

Isaiah 55:1 "Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”

Christ’s bride is poor. Penniless. And yet He chose us... those who have no money, no standing, no worth... no righteousness. We can’t afford a wedding. We certainly can’t afford Christ as our bridegroom. But that’s ok, but He’s paying. Notice the important key in Isaiah:

“... you who have no money come, buy and eat... without money and without cost.”

How can we, with no money, still buy? How can we make a purchase when we have nothing? Because Christ purchased. He came to Earth, born as a man to redeem men. Living perfectly to fulfill the needed righteous life that we needed to live. He purchased with His blood, that we might be His bride, without any cost to us... without any price further needed. His righteousness is what seals us as His bride.

From our standpoint, broken and poor, we could never hope to afford a marriage, let alone a wedding feast. We simply can’t afford it. Our righteousness is as filthy rags before the most holy God. But joy breaks in on our position, just as our Lord said in Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

We were poor in spirit, with no merit before God. But He, in His infinite mercy and grace, sent forth His excellent, worthy Son to be born of a woman, that He would redeem sinners whom He chose... and then marry them, clothing them with His righteousness.

We are the wedded poor. Brought in from the streets and filth, cleaned up by His work and love, to be expert worshipers of Him. I hope this Christmas will be filled with worship, seeing the Lamb, our bridegroom, and not just a baby pictured in a manger, as we prepare ourselves for the feast and joys to come!

Our bridegroom is at the door. Where are we?