December 11, 2011
Scripture:
Can we turn for a moment to Isaiah 53; I was thinking of v. 11: “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” This morning, we have been thinking about the cost of redemption. The Lord saw, as it were, that pearl of great price. Yet, in spite of the price, He wanted it. He saw His church, His bride, and gave all that He had to pay for it.
But it was not only the Lord who payed a price. When the Lord was on the cross, God put all our sins upon Him, and then laid on Him the punishment for those sins. That can’t have been easy for God; there must have been a price to that. But, when it was all over, He could “see of the travail of his soul.” How precious! There is no closer relationship that that of a bridegroom and bride. We’re told in the Bible “they shall be one” (Genesis 2:24), and we are one with Christ Himself. Amazing truth, that links us with the One who created all, and Who was willing to die for us! One day, we will be changed, and will live with Him in Heaven forever. We can’t conceive that, but we can enjoy it. May we live in His love!
Hymn 344 - Jesus my Saviour to Bethlehem came
Prayer
Last time, I drew a picture of an inn and a stable. We were talking about how the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and how He was laid in a manger, because there wasn’t any room for them in the inn. He was just like any other baby, except that He was also God.
Now, sometimes, when a child is born, the parents might put an announcement in the newspaper, to let people know that the child was born. The Lord had a birth announcement, too … but they didn’t have a newspaper in Bethlehem.
Luke 2: 8 - 18
This story starts in the fields outside Bethlehem, where some shepherds were taking care of their sheep (v. 8). We’re told that it was at night. These shepherds didn’t know anything about what had just happened in Bethlehem. But that soon changed, because—suddenly—an angel appeared, with the glory of the Lord. This was probably something like what we read about in the Old Testament: a glowing cloud. When the shepherds saw this, they were very frightened. If you’ve ever felt afraid, you know how they felt!
The angel didn’t give them the birth announcement right away (v. 10). But he did tell them that they didn’t need to fear; he was bringing good news to them, that would bring joy to all people. What was this news? It was that their Messiah had been born (v. 11). That very day, in Bethlehem, the angel said, the Lord had been born. He was the Saviour who would bring salvation.
What day was it? No one really knows what time of year Jesus was born; I mention this because I don’t want you to think this is a Christmas sermon; I just happen to be talking about it at this time of year!
Then, a multitude of angels appeared with the first angel (vv. 12 - 14). Together, they praised God for what he had done in sending the Lord. They proclaimed that He would bring peace on earth.
After the angels left, the shepherds didn’t say, “Let’s go see if this really happened.” They believed the angels and went to see the Lord (vv. 15 - 18). So, that’s the story of the birth announcement of the Lord.
Luke 8:41-56
Last week we mentioned the internal and external work of Satan; and said that it wasn’t possible for a Christian to be possessed by a devil. However, there was a story found on STEM in a write up on tongues by W.J. Hocking that told of a Christian lady becoming possessed with a demon. (The link is: http://www.stempublishing.com/authors/WJ_Hocking/WJH_Tongues.html). Whether or not this is correct, it shows us that we should leave the Devil’s things very much alone!
Last week, also, we talked about the woman with the issue of blood who delayed the Lord on His way to Jairus’ house. It’s a beautiful picture of the gospel, and a dispensational type of the Gentiles “interrupting” God’s dealings with Israel. God will bring them back in a future day and raise them like Jairus’ daughter or the dry bones in Ezekiel’s valley.
At the beginning of this story Jairus’ daughter was alive, but failing. Jesus went to heal her. In the future, Jesus will come to His people. His feet will be on Mount Olivet. On the way to Jairus’ house, the people thronged around the Lord. Everywhere folks were drawn to Him, attracted by Him. The four men who brought their palsied friend to Jesus couldn’t get into the house because of the crowd. Then, in the midst of all this; the women comes, touches the hem of Jesus’ garment and is healed. Jesus stops to talk to her, causing a delay.
The Bible doesn’t tell us, but Jairus must have been impatient at all of this. As Jesus is talking to the woman, someone comes from his house saying, “Don’t bother the Master, your daughter died.” People say, “Where there’s life, there’s hope”, but Jairus’ daughter had died, so there was no hope. It reminds us of Martha who said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” The Lord replied, “I am the resurrection and the life.” That was part of His character. No one else could say that. Jesus is the only One Who could raise the dead, and was raised from the dead. If He hadn’t been raised; we would still be dead in trespasses and sins, with no hope.
Now, the Lord wasn’t just concerned with the woman with the issue of blood. He cared about Jairus’ daughter, too. When He heard the message He told Jairus, “Fear not: believe only and she shall be made whole.” (Verse 50). It reminds us of how the father of the demon-possessed boy cried, “Lord, I believe. Help thou mine unbelief.” Jesus gave him the faith to believe; we should ask for it, too.
When they came to Jairus’ house, everyone was weeping. They say that a Jewish funeral is one of the saddest events. Some Jews would actually hire professional mourners for a funeral. As Christians, we don’t sorrow “as others which have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Jesus’ work, death, and resurrection have given us hope beyond the grave.
“Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth,” Jesus told them. These people had checked the vital signs and knew that the girl was dead; so they laughed Him to scorn. Here was the Lord of glory, and they were laughing at Him. Israel is only sleeping to the Lord; He will raise them up again. Jesus put all of the mourners outside; only bringing in Peter, James and John - the “inner circle” of disciples - and the girl’s parents as witnesses.Then taking Jairus’ daughter by the hand - that showed intimacy - He said, “Maid, arise.” She rose, and Jesus told them to give her something to eat. He not only gives life, but provides for that life. Our Lord then charged them to tell no one. It was not Israel’s time to be raised. This miracle showed, though, that the Lord could, and would, raise them.
Natural man would want the recognition that such a deed would bring, but not our Lord.
Hymn 334 - Glad T-I-D-I-N-G-S
Prayer