Bible Ballistics: BBs #323 From The Manger To…???
We have been celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it comes to mind that there are many who will leave Jesus in the manger. But that is not why He came! He came to die for our sins; to live a sinless life on this earth in a body of flesh; to take on flesh and blood so that He could go to the cross to die for our sin—yours and mine—so we could have life with HIM!
“But we see Jesus,
who was made a little lower than the angels
for the suffering of death,
crowned with glory and honour;
that he by the grace of God
should taste death for every man.
10 For it became him,
for whom are all things,
and by whom are all things,
in bringing many sons unto glory,
to make the captain of their salvation
perfect through sufferings.
11 For both he that sanctifieth
and they who are sanctified
are all of one:
for which cause he is not ashamed
to call them brethren,
12 Saying, I will declare thy name
unto my brethren,
in the midst of the church
will I sing praise unto thee.
13 And again, I will put my trust
in him.
And again, Behold I and the children
which God hath given me.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers
of flesh and blood,
he also himself likewise took part of the same;
that through death
he might destroy him
that had the power of death,
that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them
who through fear of death
were all their lifetime
subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature
of angels;
but he took on him
the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things
it behoved him to be made
like unto his brethren,
that he might be a merciful
and faithful high priest
in things pertaining to God,
to make reconciliation
for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered
being tempted,
he is able to succour them
that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:9-18
Jesus came to the manger as the God-Man, taking on flesh and blood, as the virgin-born child of promise. And while we’ve talked about many of those passages that promised His coming, we must make sure that we do not leave Jesus in the manger. Unless we go to the cross, the manger is futile. For just as it says in the above passage from Hebrews, He came to endure the Cross! He came to be The Reconciliation for sin. And He came to succour (comfort) those who are tempted—and that is ALL of us– all who will come to Him at the Cross in repentance and faith!
“Wherefore in all things
it behoved him to be made
like unto his brethren,
that he might be a merciful
and faithful high priest
in things pertaining to God,
to make reconciliation
for the sins of the people. “
This tiny baby that we have focused on during this season, grew to be the sinless, perfect, sacrifice for the sins of all who will trust in Him for salvation. Jesus IS the only way of salvation—NOT one of many—but the ONLY way to come to God and have eternal life.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
I pray that you will not leave Him in the manger, but that you will walk with the Savior who gave Himself for you and me. I pray that if you don’t know Him, you will come to Him in repentance and faith—realizing that you have a sin problem that you can’t fix, and only Jesus can—He paid the debt HE didn’t owe, because we owed that debt we could never pay and live.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
He came for YOU! Will you meet Him at the Cross?
“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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:16-19
He came for the mankind’s salvation, and that includes YOU and ME! If you don’t know Him, I call you to consider His gift FOR you. If you already know Him, please don’t leave Him in the manger yourself. Walk with this One who gave Himself for you, the One who ever lives to walk with us, interceding for our every need. He gives abundant life because HE IS LIFE—living as our Redeemer, Savior, advocate and soon coming KING!! Press on dear ones, press on with the KING! He’s not still in that manger—He went to the cross to die for us, He was buried and rose again on the third day, victorious over sin, death and hell. He has won, so we win! He is our KING!
“Wherefore
he is able also to save them
to the uttermost
that come unto God
by him,
seeing he ever liveth
to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
Amen and Amen!!! The manger without the cross is futile, the cross without the manger is impossible—together they have purchased our salvation! “Praise God from whom all blessings flow”! Amen!
