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As we come to understand God as the King willing to show us his wounds, then share our wounds, the birth of Jesus takes on a fresh and powerful new meaning.
Though we may be scattered and unable to be as close to loved ones physically as we would like, God is with us.
In fact, God came near and was among us as Immanuel — which means "God with us" (Matthew 1:23).
As we celebrate the coming of Christ, let's remember that even though we come together today as people scattered and feeling isolated, we are not alone.
Let's praise Jesus as the King of kings, our King of glory. He has offered us his redeeming love by laying down his life and carrying away our wounds and sorrows.
At first glance, our Verse of the Day seems very out of place. It comes from 2 Samuel 12:20 and talks about Israel rejecting Samuel, and rejecting God, and wanting God to give them a human king.
As we come to understand God as the King willing to show us his wounds, then share our wounds, the birth of Jesus takes on a fresh and powerful new meaning.
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Jesus came as the King of glory, and his throne was first a manger, then a cross.
Both thrones remind us that he is not an aloof King, too good to be one of us, but instead, he is the King who is willing to share our wounds:
Sharing the Supper:
Jesus is our King, the true and eternal King. Jesus is also the King who was willing to share our wounds.
As we approach Holy Communion, let's lean into this truth shared by the Holy Spirit to believers who were struggling with their challenging situation in the world:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
"And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
"Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" - (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Closing Blessing:
Paul challenges us to live for Jesus who has made us treasures of heaven, vessels intended for honorable use by the King:
"In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use.
"If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work" - (2 Timothy 2:20—21 NLT).
God's grace has mended us and made vessels ready for "honorable use" in our Master's house. Though broken and wounded by life, we are treasured by the King of glory.
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We know we can come to him as his treasures because he, too, has been broken. He has shared our wounds so that we can share his glory!
"For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen" - (1 Timothy 6:15-16 NLT).
by Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware
ToGather
Heartlight
I Stand Amazed - Gaither Music TV
1 I stand amazed in the presence
of Jesus, the Nazarene,
and wonder how he could love me,
a sinner, condemned, unclean.
Refrain:
How marvelous, how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous, how wonderful
is my Savior’s love for me!
2 He took my sins and my sorrows;
he made them his very own;
he bore the burden to Calvary
and suffered and died alone. [Refrain]
3 When with the ransomed in glory
his face I at last shall see,
’twill be my joy through the ages
to sing of his love for me. [Refrain]
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