Author: Philip

Making Christmas make sense

Philip

It might surprise you to read that Christmas is not about the nonsensical items of snowmen, reindeer or the North Pole. Have you noticed that it’s summer here? Besides, Christmas isn’t about the weather, either – cold or hot. It’s about Jesus, sent by God to be the Saviour of His people.

The Bible says in Hebrews 1:1-2 that, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son”. When God spoke through the prophets, he often gave them a glimpse of something that would happen in the future. So, the prophet Isaiah foretold that ‘the virgin shall conceive and bear a son”. Seeing that God knew exactly what he was doing, Matthew 1:21 tells how this was fulfilled in the birth of the One they would call Jesus. Of Him it was said ‘for He will save His people from their sins’.

If the Old Testament prophets looked forward toward the day of His birth and if the New Testament writers recorded the fact of His birth, then it must be that Jesus is the centre of everything that God has said and done – and that must mean that Christmas is all about what God sent us in His Son, Jesus.

No wonder the angels sang at His birth. No wonder they spoke of ‘good tidings of great joy’ for ‘all people’. It’s little wonder then too that Jesus is still the reason for the Christmas season. And why is that? Because He is still doing what God sent him to do – saving God’s people.

Do you know the One who makes Christmas make sense? He saves. Seek Him now.

‘Joy to the world (and to you)’ (Psalm 98:1-9)

Philip

The Christmas hymn ‘Joy to the world’ is well known and loved. But did you know that it comes from Isaac Watts’ paraphrase of Psalm 98? Maybe you wouldn’t think that a Psalm like Psalm 98 has much to do with Christmas? Watts certainly thought so. In fact he saw in it much more than Jesus’ first coming (as a baby), but also his second coming (as King).

‘Sent out to serve the King’ (part 1) (Matthew 10:1-15)

Philip

Chapters 8 and 9 of Matthew’s Gospel records so many  of Jesus’ miracles that gave proof to who He is and was – the Messiah, the Son of God. But added to this, chapter 10 also tells us that He was the ‘Lord of the harvest’ who had come to find the lost sheep of the house of Israel. So, in Matthew 10:1-15, we find Jesus doing that by preparing his disciples to be sent out in His service. They would find it hard, as the rest of the chapter outlines, but in these verses, their task is fairly and squarely laid before them – and those who follow Him as disciples today!

‘The King’s power to save’ (Matthew 9:18-38)

Philip

In the next of the series of miracles performed by Jesus as recorded in Matthew 9:18-38, Jesus goes ‘one better’ than before…not only healing a blind man, delivering a demon possessed man, healing a woman suffering from a long term illness and raising a dead girl.  However, the point of all these events is not for the sake of information but that we too might believe in Him. These verses also remind us why we should put faith in Him. It is because of the depth of His compassion for people – something that led Him all the way to the cross.

‘The King’s power to call and convert’ (Matthew 9:9-17)

Philip

The text of Matthew 9:9-17 related a number of important events, beginning with the call that came from Jesus to Matthew (the writer of the gospel) to follow Him. This tax collector had no hesitation in leaving his old life behind to follow Jesus, and one of the immediate consequences of his decision to do that was seen in the meal hosted in his home at which many other ‘tax collectors and sinners’ were present. This prompted questions from the Pharisees and even from John’s disciples which Jesus was able to answer and put his grace and his coming into perspective.

‘The King’s power to forgive’ (Matthew 9:1-8)

Philip

Matthew 9:1-8 tells the story of the healing and the forgiveness that came to the paralyzed man. The fact that Jesus forgave the man (his first words to him were ‘Your sins are forgiven’) shows that this miracle was more than just another healing. Jesus saw that the man’s spiritual condition was more serious than his outward condition. And so to prove that Jesus was able to forgive the man’s sins (something invisible), He also brought healing to the man’s body (something that all could see) and so prove that He, as the Son of Man, could do both!

*The audio is not quite right for the first 20 secs or so, but be patient…it all comes good!

‘The King’s power over demons’ (Matthew 8:28-34)

Philip

After recording some examples of the healing ministry of Jesus, in Matthew 8:28-34, Matthew tells of an encounter between Jesus and two demon-possessed men. Matthew had already told his readers of how Jesus had control over demons in both chapters 4 and 8, but this is the first real example of His power at work. And while the demons quickly recognised who Jesus was and what their ultimate destiny would be, Jesus kept his contact with them to a minimum. Matthew tells us that he just spoke one word to them and that was enough!

‘What it means to follow the King’ (Matthew 8:18-27)

Philip

After Jesus began his public ministry with three miraculous healings, Matthew 8:18-27 records how would-be followers came to Him seeking to join His disciples. He responded to these requests by pointing out the cost of such commitment, demanding total allegiance to Him over everything and everyone. Then, taking while His disciples across the Sea of Galilee (to meet the demon possessed men of Matthew 9), in the boat which was about to sink, He pointed out to His disciples that to trust Him continually is vital.