FRIDAY
Okay, okay. Today we will visit the Christmas story to see the theme 1 John describes.
Zechariah in his prophecy about his son John declares:
Luke 1:76–79 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Prior to Jesus and the meaning of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, we (humanity) lived in darkness and the shadow of death. Jesus reveals the gospel as the life. The significance of this cannot be overstated.
The incarnation, which we celebrate at Christmas, is the beginning of the climactic scene in God’s redemption story. Prior to Jesus there was a glimmer of the gospel. It could be seen in the Law and the Prophets throughout Israel’s history. Yet it was a glimmer of the true light to be revealed in Christ. It’s like when you’re outside in the evening and the sun is setting but still quite bright. When the sun is obscured by a tree or a building you can still see the light but it isn’t very bright. Then when you walk around the obstacle and change your perspective, the sun blinds you. Or think of it like lights dimmed really low, then a child comes in and turns them up to full blast without telling anyone. This is the image of the life revealed in Jesus.
The implications of the life revealed in the gospel are many and profound. They are not the simple “Three steps to better manage your schedule” or “Eight things to improve your marriage.” Those are fine, but shallow. They are not truly what we need. We need a robust theology that reaches to our soul. We need a foundation that will support our inner life when our external environment is crumbling. We need a truth that will never fail us even when the “Three steps” teachings don’t work. This is exactly what we find in the gospel.
If we really believe the life was revealed in the gospel, we will have trust. The gospel in Jesus was God’s plan of redemption from before time began. It is the eternal life that was with the Father. We aren’t talking about a God who makes it up on the fly, or a God who is caught off guard by the circumstances of today. God isn’t nervously squirming about the onset of AI. God isn’t afraid of social media misinformation. God isn’t worried about the next election. God is not beholden to dictators. God does not fear terrorists. God is sovereign. The gospel reveals that he works out his plan in real history, real time and space, often even using terrible circumstances to bring about his purposes (think Joseph, think Jesus dying on the cross). Nothing will thwart his plan. Because God has done this throughout history, we should not fear. Fear not, Christian! Our God is on the throne! We can trust him. With this trust we can live with a non-anxious presence in a chaotic world.
If we really believe the life was revealed in the gospel, we will have hope. We can experience this life now and forevermore because it is eternal. We should not fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul (Matt. 10:28). This hope produces joy. Regardless of what happens in our lives or the world around us, our destiny is secure. Our life is eternal. The life appeared! This life is real. The apostles experienced the the Word in flesh. Jesus bodily rose from the dead, giving us hope of the restoration of all creation. This isn’t a “pie in the sky” hope. This is a hope based in reality. The incarnation which we celebrate at Christmas reveals this to be true.
Do you not only believe it is true, but do you believe it is true for you? Do you live your life as if the life has appeared in Jesus? Is he your source of truth? Is he the one you put your trust in for salvation, holiness and peace with God? Do you trust that his way of love is the best way to live? Instead of hating your enemies and getting even with the opposition, you can love them and lay down your life for them. If the life has appeared in Jesus and the meaning of Jesus’ appearance, then we will forever be changed. Jesus and his gospel must be everything to us. We must build our life on this and this alone. Because the gospel of Jesus is not just a life revealed but it is the life revealed. It is our life revealed.