| “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11). |
No greater news could ever be announced to this sinful fallen human race than the glad
tidings of great joy that a Saviour has come to this world to save His people from their
sins. Let me say first of all, beloved, that we do not know what day the Lord Jesus was
born in Bethlehem. But the good news is, He was born. He came to this world to
redeem His people. All who will come to Him can enjoy this great redemption and
receive the great salvation that comes only through Him.
tidings of great joy that a Saviour has come to this world to save His people from their
sins. Let me say first of all, beloved, that we do not know what day the Lord Jesus was
born in Bethlehem. But the good news is, He was born. He came to this world to
redeem His people. All who will come to Him can enjoy this great redemption and
receive the great salvation that comes only through Him.
The Person who was Born
This Saviour that was born in Bethlehem was not just an ordinary man. He was the only
begotten Son of God. The angel in this verse says that He is Christ the Lord. The word
“Christ” is not a name, but it is His title. It means the “Messiah, the anointed of God to
be ruler over Israel.” And we see that the angel said that He was Lord. Lord means that
he is eternal deity, that is, He is Lord, divine Ruler over all things.So we see immediately
that this Child that was born in Bethlehem was no ordinary child.
There are many names and titles given to the Lord Jesus Christ in the Bible that reveal
His character, person and work. Let me mention just a few of them, and keep in mind
that each of these names and titles have a specific meaning.
He is called Advocate, Almighty, Alpha and Omega, Second Adam, the Amen, the
Apostle of our Profession, the Arm of the Lord, the Author and Finisher of our faith, the
Author of Eternal Salvation, the Beginning of the Creation of God, the Beloved Son, the
Blessed and only Potentate, the Branch, the Bread of Life, the Captain of Salvation, the
Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd, the Christ of God, the
Consolation of Israel, the Chief Cornerstone, Counselor, Creator, Dayspring, the
Deliverer, the Desired of all Nations, the Door, the Elect of God, the Everlasting of the
Father, the Faithful Witness, the First and the Last, the First Begotten, the Forerunner,
the Glory of the Lord, God, the God Blessed, Governor, Great High Priest, Head of the
Church, Heir of all Things, the Holy Child, the Holy One, The Holy One of God, the
Holy One of Israel, the Horn of Salvation, The I AM, the Image of God, Immanuel,
Jehovah, Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, Judge of All Israel, the Just One, the King, the King
of the Ages, the King of the Jews, the King of Kings, the King of the saints, the
Lawgiver, the Lamb, the Lamb of God, the Leader, the Life, the Light of the World, the
Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Lord of all, the Lord of Glory, the Lord of Lords, the
Lord our Righteousness, the Man of Sorrows, the Mediator, the Messenger, the
Messiah, the Mighty God, the Mighty One, the Bright and Morning Star, the Nazarene,
the Only Begotten Son, The Passover, the Prince of kings, the Prince of life, the Prince
of Peace, Prophet, the Redeemer, the Resurrection and Life, the Rock, the Rod of
David, the Rose of Sharon, the Saviour, the Seed of Woman, the Shepherd and Bishop
of Souls, Shiloh, Son of the Blessed, Son of David, Son of God, Son of the Highest,
Son of Man, Son of Righteousness, the True Light, the True Vine, the Truth, the
Witness, the Word, the Word of God.
Beloved, these are some of the great names and titles given to the Lord Jesus Christ in
the Bible. Here we can see clearly that there is no one who is as exalted as the Lord. His
is above all. There is none like Him. He condescended from the Mansions of Heaven to
a mother’s womb, and from a mother’s womb to a manger. He is Heaven’s Light sent to
this dark world to deliver us from the power of darkness, and translate us into His
kingdom, the kingdom of light. He is the spiritual Bread sent down from heaven to
satisfy our spiritual hunger. Dr. R. G. Lee used to say, “Christ is Heaven’s love for
earth’s hate, Heaven's joy for earth’s sorrow, Heaven’s Light for earth’s darkness,
Heaven’s water for earth’s thirst, Heaven’s life for earth’s death, Heaven’s kindness
for earth’s bitterness, Heaven’s truth for earth’s lie." Yes, beloved, the Son of God
was born in Bethlehem and He is the Saviour of the world.
begotten Son of God. The angel in this verse says that He is Christ the Lord. The word
“Christ” is not a name, but it is His title. It means the “Messiah, the anointed of God to
be ruler over Israel.” And we see that the angel said that He was Lord. Lord means that
he is eternal deity, that is, He is Lord, divine Ruler over all things.So we see immediately
that this Child that was born in Bethlehem was no ordinary child.
There are many names and titles given to the Lord Jesus Christ in the Bible that reveal
His character, person and work. Let me mention just a few of them, and keep in mind
that each of these names and titles have a specific meaning.
He is called Advocate, Almighty, Alpha and Omega, Second Adam, the Amen, the
Apostle of our Profession, the Arm of the Lord, the Author and Finisher of our faith, the
Author of Eternal Salvation, the Beginning of the Creation of God, the Beloved Son, the
Blessed and only Potentate, the Branch, the Bread of Life, the Captain of Salvation, the
Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd, the Christ of God, the
Consolation of Israel, the Chief Cornerstone, Counselor, Creator, Dayspring, the
Deliverer, the Desired of all Nations, the Door, the Elect of God, the Everlasting of the
Father, the Faithful Witness, the First and the Last, the First Begotten, the Forerunner,
the Glory of the Lord, God, the God Blessed, Governor, Great High Priest, Head of the
Church, Heir of all Things, the Holy Child, the Holy One, The Holy One of God, the
Holy One of Israel, the Horn of Salvation, The I AM, the Image of God, Immanuel,
Jehovah, Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, Judge of All Israel, the Just One, the King, the King
of the Ages, the King of the Jews, the King of Kings, the King of the saints, the
Lawgiver, the Lamb, the Lamb of God, the Leader, the Life, the Light of the World, the
Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Lord of all, the Lord of Glory, the Lord of Lords, the
Lord our Righteousness, the Man of Sorrows, the Mediator, the Messenger, the
Messiah, the Mighty God, the Mighty One, the Bright and Morning Star, the Nazarene,
the Only Begotten Son, The Passover, the Prince of kings, the Prince of life, the Prince
of Peace, Prophet, the Redeemer, the Resurrection and Life, the Rock, the Rod of
David, the Rose of Sharon, the Saviour, the Seed of Woman, the Shepherd and Bishop
of Souls, Shiloh, Son of the Blessed, Son of David, Son of God, Son of the Highest,
Son of Man, Son of Righteousness, the True Light, the True Vine, the Truth, the
Witness, the Word, the Word of God.
Beloved, these are some of the great names and titles given to the Lord Jesus Christ in
the Bible. Here we can see clearly that there is no one who is as exalted as the Lord. His
is above all. There is none like Him. He condescended from the Mansions of Heaven to
a mother’s womb, and from a mother’s womb to a manger. He is Heaven’s Light sent to
this dark world to deliver us from the power of darkness, and translate us into His
kingdom, the kingdom of light. He is the spiritual Bread sent down from heaven to
satisfy our spiritual hunger. Dr. R. G. Lee used to say, “Christ is Heaven’s love for
earth’s hate, Heaven's joy for earth’s sorrow, Heaven’s Light for earth’s darkness,
Heaven’s water for earth’s thirst, Heaven’s life for earth’s death, Heaven’s kindness
for earth’s bitterness, Heaven’s truth for earth’s lie." Yes, beloved, the Son of God
was born in Bethlehem and He is the Saviour of the world.
The Place where He was Born
The Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem was the home town of King David.
The royal lineage through which the Lord Jesus was to be born was the lineage of
David, because the covenant God made with David that his throne and kingdom would
be an everlasting throne, would find its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Bethlehem
was the home of Ruth and Boaz, David’s great-great grandparents, from which the royal
family through the kings of Israel were to come.
Then we see also that the Prophet Micah prophesied that the Divine King would be born
in Bethlehem. We see in (Micah 5:2) “ But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be
little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is
to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” We
see here that Bethlehem was a little town compared to thousands of other towns in
Judah, the southern part of Israel. But out of this little town would come a ruler that
would rule over Israel. This ruler would be the eternal Son of God. He says that this
ruler was the One whose going forth has been from of old, from everlasting. This means
that this ruler was from eternity, before the world was ever created.
Now the reason all of this is set forth in the Old Testament, is to show us that God had
promised and prophesied through the prophets how His Son would come into this world.
The Bible tells us that Jesus came in the volume of the book. This means that He came
as it was promised and prophesied in the Old Testament. This teaches us the absolute
authority of the Scriptures, and the sure fulfillment of the promises of God. It also
teaches us that Jesus Christ is really who He said He was, the eternal Son of God.
The word “Bethlehem” means “The House of Bread.” How appropriate for the Lord
Jesus Christ, who is the “Bread of life” come down from heaven to satisfy our spiritual
hunger, to be born in the little town of Bethlehem, which means the “House of Bread.”
The royal lineage through which the Lord Jesus was to be born was the lineage of
David, because the covenant God made with David that his throne and kingdom would
be an everlasting throne, would find its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Bethlehem
was the home of Ruth and Boaz, David’s great-great grandparents, from which the royal
family through the kings of Israel were to come.
Then we see also that the Prophet Micah prophesied that the Divine King would be born
in Bethlehem. We see in (Micah 5:2) “ But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be
little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is
to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” We
see here that Bethlehem was a little town compared to thousands of other towns in
Judah, the southern part of Israel. But out of this little town would come a ruler that
would rule over Israel. This ruler would be the eternal Son of God. He says that this
ruler was the One whose going forth has been from of old, from everlasting. This means
that this ruler was from eternity, before the world was ever created.
Now the reason all of this is set forth in the Old Testament, is to show us that God had
promised and prophesied through the prophets how His Son would come into this world.
The Bible tells us that Jesus came in the volume of the book. This means that He came
as it was promised and prophesied in the Old Testament. This teaches us the absolute
authority of the Scriptures, and the sure fulfillment of the promises of God. It also
teaches us that Jesus Christ is really who He said He was, the eternal Son of God.
The word “Bethlehem” means “The House of Bread.” How appropriate for the Lord
Jesus Christ, who is the “Bread of life” come down from heaven to satisfy our spiritual
hunger, to be born in the little town of Bethlehem, which means the “House of Bread.”
The Purpose for Christ's Birth
Why was God’s only begotten Son born into the human race anyway? Jesus came to be
the sacrifice for the sin of the world. This is why John the Baptist said, when he
introduced to Israel and to the world, the blessed Saviour. He said, "Behold the Lamb of
God that taketh away the sin of the world." Jesus came into this world to die for the sin
of the world, there was no way that God could forgive our sins without the shedding of
Christ’s blood. In the Old Testament times, God only covered the believers' sins with
the blood of sacrifices, and forgave them on the basis of the coming Christ who would
shed His precious blood, which would take away the sin of the world. In the Old
Testament times, they looked forward to the coming of Christ to redeem them from
their sins. In the New Testament times in which we live we look back to the cross where
Jesus died for our sins, and arose from the grave to give us eternal life. In the Old
Testament times the believers were saved by looking forward to the coming Redeemer
and Lamb of God. Today we look back to the redemptive work of Christ which He
accomplished on the cross and through His resurrection. Thank God for the great
salvation that is in the Lamb of God.
Let me mention just a few of the reasons why Jesus came into this world. He came to
give His life a ransom for many. (Jesus said, “Even as the Son of man came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” He came
because of God’s plan and love (John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but
that the world through him might he saved." (I Timothy 1:15) "This is a faithful
saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners; of whom I am chief."
Beloved, surely by these verses of Scripture, we can see that the Lord Jesus Christ came
to this world to save sinners. Here we can see the great love of God for the world. His
love in giving His only begotten Son is beyond our comprehension, but is here for us to
reach out by faith and take it into our hearts. We come to Jesus Christ for salvation. He
is the only way that you can be saved. The Bible says in (Acts 4:12) "Neither is there
salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved"
The reason the Lord Jesus Christ came the first time was to die a substitutionary death
on the cross of Calvary for the sin of the world. He was obedient to the Father in every
way as He fulfilled God’s plan for our redemption. With loving arms He is tenderly
calling you to come to Him today. The Lord Jesus says, "Come unto me, all ye that
labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
What precious words these are from our Blessed Lord. Come, He says. He cares about
you. It doesn’t matter what you have done or what you are doing at this very moment.
He will receive you and forgive you of all your sins. He will cleanse you from all your
sins and forget them forever, never to remember them again. As far as the east is from
the west, that’s how far God will put your sins from Him. The only thing that God can
forget is the sins that have been washed and blotted out through the shed blood of His
only begotten Son. The Bible says in (Isaiah 1:18) "Come now, and let us reason
together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as
snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." What a blessing this is!
Beloved, if you have never been saved, why don’t you call upon the Lord Jesus right
now. It doesn’t matter who or what you are. What matters is who Jesus is, and what He
has done for you, and what He will do for you if you will call upon Him. He will save
you. The Bible says in (Romans 10:3) "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the
Lord shall be saved." Dear friend, that means you. Why don’t you call on the Lord now
and be saved. It will be the most important thing that you can ever do. It will be the
greatest thing in all your life here on this earth, because this will determine where you
will be in eternity. Would you call on the Lord now?
the sacrifice for the sin of the world. This is why John the Baptist said, when he
introduced to Israel and to the world, the blessed Saviour. He said, "Behold the Lamb of
God that taketh away the sin of the world." Jesus came into this world to die for the sin
of the world, there was no way that God could forgive our sins without the shedding of
Christ’s blood. In the Old Testament times, God only covered the believers' sins with
the blood of sacrifices, and forgave them on the basis of the coming Christ who would
shed His precious blood, which would take away the sin of the world. In the Old
Testament times, they looked forward to the coming of Christ to redeem them from
their sins. In the New Testament times in which we live we look back to the cross where
Jesus died for our sins, and arose from the grave to give us eternal life. In the Old
Testament times the believers were saved by looking forward to the coming Redeemer
and Lamb of God. Today we look back to the redemptive work of Christ which He
accomplished on the cross and through His resurrection. Thank God for the great
salvation that is in the Lamb of God.
Let me mention just a few of the reasons why Jesus came into this world. He came to
give His life a ransom for many. (Jesus said, “Even as the Son of man came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” He came
because of God’s plan and love (John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but
that the world through him might he saved." (I Timothy 1:15) "This is a faithful
saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners; of whom I am chief."
Beloved, surely by these verses of Scripture, we can see that the Lord Jesus Christ came
to this world to save sinners. Here we can see the great love of God for the world. His
love in giving His only begotten Son is beyond our comprehension, but is here for us to
reach out by faith and take it into our hearts. We come to Jesus Christ for salvation. He
is the only way that you can be saved. The Bible says in (Acts 4:12) "Neither is there
salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved"
The reason the Lord Jesus Christ came the first time was to die a substitutionary death
on the cross of Calvary for the sin of the world. He was obedient to the Father in every
way as He fulfilled God’s plan for our redemption. With loving arms He is tenderly
calling you to come to Him today. The Lord Jesus says, "Come unto me, all ye that
labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
What precious words these are from our Blessed Lord. Come, He says. He cares about
you. It doesn’t matter what you have done or what you are doing at this very moment.
He will receive you and forgive you of all your sins. He will cleanse you from all your
sins and forget them forever, never to remember them again. As far as the east is from
the west, that’s how far God will put your sins from Him. The only thing that God can
forget is the sins that have been washed and blotted out through the shed blood of His
only begotten Son. The Bible says in (Isaiah 1:18) "Come now, and let us reason
together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as
snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." What a blessing this is!
Beloved, if you have never been saved, why don’t you call upon the Lord Jesus right
now. It doesn’t matter who or what you are. What matters is who Jesus is, and what He
has done for you, and what He will do for you if you will call upon Him. He will save
you. The Bible says in (Romans 10:3) "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the
Lord shall be saved." Dear friend, that means you. Why don’t you call on the Lord now
and be saved. It will be the most important thing that you can ever do. It will be the
greatest thing in all your life here on this earth, because this will determine where you
will be in eternity. Would you call on the Lord now?
| A Saviour Has Come |
Blessed Hope
A Continuing Ministry of Milford Cecil
A Continuing Ministry of Milford Cecil
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Custom Search
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|