January 23, 2011
Scripture:
I’d like to read a few words from I Corinthians 15. Read vv. 3 & 20 - 23: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures … But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” The term firstfruits implies that there is more fruit following; we are that fruit.
Hymn 248 - Oh happy day, that fixed my choice
Prayer
Genesis 32:1-23
Last time, we looked at the time Jacob spent at living with Laban. Finally, Jacob decided to go home. Of course, this story shows us the history of what happened, but we can also see a picture of a sinner that one day has to face his sin. In our story, Jacob had to face Esau.
V.1: Jacob went his own way; and that is what we as sinners do. However, God has a way—His way—for each of us.
Vv. 2 - 8: While Jacob was on his way home, he sent messengers ahead to Esau. When the messengers came back, they told Jacob that Esau was on his way to meet them with four hundred men. When Jacob heard this, he divided his family and servants into groups; this way, if Esau attacked one of the groups, the other could get away.
V. 9: When Jacob thought he was in trouble, he turned to God and started to pray; this is what many sinners do when they are in trouble. Jacob asked God to take care of him. But hadn’t God already said that he would be with him? Jacob was not having faith. God has promised to give us salvation; we don’t have to beg for it.
Vv. 10 - 16 With Esau coming, Jacob was worried for his wives and children. He thought that he should give Esau a present to appease his anger. So, he put together a large present:
Vv. 17 - 20 Jacob was trying to keep Esau from hurting him. Often, sinners will try to appease God by doing good things and by going to church. But this is not what God wants them to do; he simply asks them to trust Him.
We leave Jacob on his way home and struggling with his sin. We’ll have to wait until next time to see what happens!
Mary “brought forth her first born son”. In the book of Exodus, the firstborn is mentioned a lot. In Exodus 4:22, God called Israel His firstborn; and He told Moses to tell Pharaoh, “Let my first-born go, or I’ll kill your firstborn” (paraphrased). That ended up being the tenth plaque; the death of the firstborns. Israel’s sons weren’t killed, because God redeemed them by providing a way of escape. Later, however, God claimed each Israelite firstborn as His; showing us that what God redeems, He claims. The Lord was Mary’s firstborn. God calls Jesus His firstborn, and also the firstborn from the dead. It was necessary that Jesus be a firstborn, because the firstborn gets special privileges and inheritance over the other children. The very term ‘firstborn’ implies that there will be other children. Jesus wasn’t the first person ever born, but he was the first of a special group of people.
To become Mary’s firstborn, though, Jesus had to lay aside all the glories of His eternal sonship. He had marvelous glories in heaven, but His angels had never seen Him like that. The first glimpse that they ever got of their Creator was as a baby in a feed bin. He was there because there was no room for them in the inn. Sometimes we sing, “Have you any room for Jesus?”. It seems that this world didn’t have room for Him. It’s quite a contrast to the parable in Luke 14:16-24. The Gospel went out to the Jews, but they didn’t want it; so it went to the Gentiles. They came, and yet there is room. No one can say, “I couldn’t come. There wasn’t any room.” There wasn’t any room for Joseph and Mary, however, so they had to do the best that they could where the animals slept. “Yet there is room” for any who will believe the Gospel; but when those that do believe get to Christ’s heavenly home, it will be so different than from when He came here. We will get executive treatment.
If Joseph and Mary had had enough money, they could have bought a room. But even in His birth, our Lord chose to be with the poor and the lowly. If Mr. Hilton had ever walked into one of his hotels, I’m sure he would have gotten a room, because he owned the the place. Jesus owns this world, and yet there was no room for Him.
It was the shepherds that first got the announcement of Jesus’ birth. In Matthew, we have the wise men coming from the East, asking, “Where is He that is born king of the Jews?” Herod didn’t know. Finally the chief priest and scribes were able to direct them to Bethlehem. But here the shepherds - probably one the lowest possible classes at that time - know where He is. They got the message that Christ was born, a sign so that they would know when they found Him; and off they went. I wonder if they were part of the remnant that feared the Lord and waited for the Messiah. The people that should have known, didn’t know. God was doing an amazing thing - visiting the planet! - but they didn’t know. But those poor, simple shepherds were told. And they were also told to go, so that they could tell what had been told to them.
You wonder if it was Gabriel that appeared to them, because he starts off by saying, “Fear not”, just like he did to Zachariah and Mary. “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” What a wonderful message.
The glory of God shone around those shepherds. The glory of God is the manifestation of His excellence. We have all fallen short of that glory; but through the work of salvation, we have been made fit for His presence.
Hymn 344 - Jesus my Saviour to Bethlehem came
Prayer