Matthew 1:21 NLT
And she will have a son, and you are to
name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
We are a couple days away
from Christmas, and the verse above is one of those we might have heard lots in
the past month. It is true. Not only on the first Christmas, back in
Bethlehem, but even today it is, He is true.
Jesus is the Savior of the world.
He is the one that we talk about in John 3:16.
Have you seen the
Savior? No, I didn't just ask did you go
to the manger when he was born like the shepherds did. But have you seen Jesus in and around your
life?
Some people literally are
“Jesus with skin on”. I mean that we
have been around people who have lived for God and allowed Him to live through
their lives. One of my favorite authors,
Bill Gillham, said that we are
simply “earth suits with Jesus zipped up inside of us”. That might be a little simplified, but it is
a fact.
We can and should be living
proof that Jesus is the savior and that God is good. On a daily basis we have an opportunity to
share the savior with other people. To
be sharing Jesus with others is the highest calling and the greatest good that
we can do.
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
For the Lord your God is living among
you. He is a mighty savior. He
will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your
fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
This past week I was
visiting a hospital when I walked in to the family waiting room and saw some
friends that I had no idea why they were there.
Come to find out one of their children was in critical condition. I was able to stop, listen and to pray with
these friends. Whether I knew it at the
time or not, God used that visit to encourage and refresh these people
reminding them that Jesus is the savior.
Recently I out in the community
at an appointment when I ran in to a man that has been attending our
church. We sat and talked for several
minutes. It was like we both had a
divine meeting. This guy encouraged me,
and I was able to remind him that God was not, nor will ever be, through with
him.
Even yesterday (this is a
humbling, honest story) as our family was traveling to Oklahoma to spend time
with my family we ran out of gas. Our
van and our family sat on the side of the interstate just one mile from the
Oklahoma state line. A name came to mind
because I had just seen a sign for the next small town in Oklahoma. Pastor Johnny Roberts lived about 10
miles from where we were. Johnny arrived
with full gas cans about 20 minutes later, and he was in fact our savior as
that moment, Jesus with skin on coming to our rescue. And we were so grateful that God protected
and provided for us (why we ran out of gas is a story for another day).
We’ve seen movies and read
books where one character stood out as a Christ figure that brought life and
hope and even rescue to people. That is
what our Savior, the Christ of Christmas had brought to you and me. Now it is our turn to be Jesus and to share
Jesus with others.
No, I am not Jesus, but I
know Him. I don't have special powers
nor am I divine, yet God Himself has chosen to use you and me to share Himself
with the people we encounter.
Luke 19:10 NLT
For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
Have you seen the savior lately?
May each of us be living proof of the Savior’s birth and life as we
celebrate this Christmas!
NOTE:
Jerry Robertson’s funeral is today at 5pm at Bassett Memorial United
Methodist Church with visitation at 4pm.
There will be a meal after that you are invited to attend. You can also bring food to the fellowship
hall at Bassett Methodist. Continue to
pray for his wife Angel and daughter Virginia as well as Angel’s mom Cindy and
John DeOms (write Angel at 488 Susan Dr, Collinsville, VA 24078, and write
Cindy and John at 527 Bowens Creek Rd, Bassett, VA 24055).
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