CHILD OF HOPE

Cute Baby Jesus

Pastor Jerry’s Sunday message was about the child of Hope who became the grown Man full of Grace and Truth.  Pastor began reading from Luke 2:22-39. 

Luke mentions four elderly people in and around the time of the birth of Jesus.  Mary’s cousin Elizabeth and her husband Zacharias who became the parents of John the Baptist in their old age.

Two other elderly ministers were at the temple when Jesus was presented at age 40 days.

Luke 2:25-35 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,  he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation  which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.

A prophetess, Anna was also at the temple and prophesied of the child’s future.

It is amazing that Simeon and Anna could see in the eyes of an infant child more than just a cute baby boy.  They saw joy, sorrow and suffering ahead. They recognized the baby Jesus as the promised Messiah.

These four elderly persons disappear and are not mentioned again. 

Very little is said about the childhood of Jesus.  At around age two the wise-men appeared to present gifts to the young child. 

At the young age of twelve there is mention of Jesus being at the temple while he disputed with the scribes and priests.

Finally we see Jesus as a grown man ready to begin his ministry, speaking with a sword of truth coming from his mouth.  He spoke truth and was and is the Way the Truth and the Life.

His followers believed he was going to build an army and take over the current government and become King of the Jews.  They became upset when He spoke about dying to self and predicting his own death.  Many turned back at these words and left.

Today many want the cute infant baby Jesus, and not the grown man Jesus with his sword of Truth. 

Many are upset when Jesus comes as an adult man, preaching to repent and change their way of living.  They think, "Here is a man who speaks trouble, because He compels us to view and reshape our values.  He wants us to renounce forms of power, selfishness, rebellion and to become refined in the fire of purification."

All hinges on our ability to question our personal motives and to renounce greed and self-centeredness.

May we listen to truth and also speak it out not just for ourselves but for all we influence.