Christmas

Jesus approached the cross with joy! Think of that! With joy, he took our sins and paid the penalty so we could have eternal life. True joy is ours in Jesus!

In this fallen world, we are either directly or indirectly impacted by the sin of others. But in this under-the-sun life, Jesus brings the joy of an above-the-sun perspective. He is at work! That is the basis for real joy! 

In a world seeking identity, satisfaction, and security, only Jesus delivers true joy. The joy Jesus gives is not the momentary heartfelt happiness of opening a thoughtful Christmas present or, much better, watching our children and grandchildren open their gifts.

From the first moment of the miraculous conception, Jesus humbled himself. He was “made in human likeness” to die in our place on the cross. He gave his life as our substitute to make it possible for us to have peace with God.

There is no one like Jesus! Check out his resume in today’s passage. He is the One, the only One, who transforms chaos to peace.

Though Jesus had no need to repent and be cleansed from sin, his baptism was the first act that identified him with humanity’s sin and becoming our substitute. His work on the cross would bring us peace. 

Simeon was a righteous and devout man, full of the Holy Spirit. His heart was set on the peace that God’s Anointed One would bring to his people. He had waited a long time.

Jesus is the King installed on Zion. And one day every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that he is Lord…Ruler of all!! On that day, the world will finally experience peace. 

Israel was in chaos. They lived under the tyranny of Rome. The Jewish people were taxed into poverty. They desperately needed peace. Some thought that peace would come through a military general. Others wanted a political leader to overthrow the Roman government from the inside.