"What Think Ye of Christ"

"What think ye of Christ?” Matthew 22:42

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." Tozer

With only 19 days until Christmas we have entered once again into the Christmas season. All the world, once again, is given another opportunity to reflect on the birth of Christ as nativities are displayed and sounds of great joy fill the air.... as trees are brilliantly shining with their dazzling lights and as churches rehearse plays and pulpits share the good news of Christ's coming.

We are blessed to be invited to journey with God as we open the Scriptures and read the Gospel’s; as we look back, while also giving thanks in the present, and yet always looking ahead with great hope.........as we 'wait and prepare' our hearts in celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Christmas is a beautiful reminder to us all that God always keeps His promises. We are reminded how God blesses our acts of obedience as we read of Mary and how God tells us ‘do not fear’ as Gabrielle spoke these reassuring words into her heart at a time when she did not fully understand but yielded to the LORD’S will – believing God’s promises and in the Sovereignty of God for her life - She simply obeyed.

We also read of Zechariah and Elizabeth and their wanting and waiting many years for a child, seeing that disappointments do not mean that God has turned His back on His children or forgotten us. Instead we learn that in our waiting, God is at work orchestrating each detail of our life for His purposes and His timing, while preparing us - as He was preparing this devoted couple to one day raise the son He would give them, the son He would so greatly use, John the Baptist.

We learn that through ordinary people of great faith, He does extraordinary things. Things that are for His glory and a part of His redemptive plan for the world. Through the scriptures and in the story of the birth of His son, we are given glimpses into His working as He always knows what He is doing and He is always very aware of our situation, always at work even though we might not understand His plan and ways. We see how we must always believe, because hope is birthed out of a yielded spirit that is willing to be used of the Lord and always this work is done God’s way which is so very opposite from the world’s understanding and our finite ways...it is only understood walking by faith not sight...as it is with our salvation.

In the season of giving, I often think of the wise men who came bearing gifts as I am struck with wonder and ponder the significance of the words ‘He Came’, ‘He Gave’ His life, and ‘He Is’ coming again…and in return what can I give the King of Kings who came in human flesh only to die upon a cross for me?

He came for sinners, ‘the least of these’, me, you. When ‘I cease’ and move aside the crowded thoughts that fill my mind…and sit before His throne of grace pouring out my heart to Him in love and adoration – there is no greater gift that I can bring – but all of myself - this gift is an offering to my Savior and He is pleased.

Jesus came, lying in a manger, then a road He walked and on a cross He died, but then His grave shook and death was defeated that we may be given Life as we stop to remember and remind one another that “God IS Here” Immanuel has come…and His grace is amazing and His mercy unending. The life He lived and His life that He gave He offers to us that we may be saved as we allow the ‘Light of the World’ to tabernacle with us and take up residency within our hearts. His Light removes all darkness and feelings of hopelessness and despair giving us new meaning, purpose and significance that is sealed into all of eternity.

Christmas is a wonderful celebration of Light that came into a darkened world, of salvation from the enemy of sin and the darkness of death. He was broken to bear the sins of the world, He became nothing so we would be given everything, He took on the form of a servant so we could become royalty, humbling Himself even to the point of death…so we could live.

Christmas IS anything but ordinary….and for reasons far beyond the pretty packages, dazzling lights and brilliant colors…most of what this world sees. There is a great truth that this world cannot ignore as eyes pass the nativities and songs of His birth are heard, the truth of a Life who came to give life – a life giving truth that rings loudly touching the hearts of men, the realization of who Christ is.

“What think ye of Christ?", who is He to you? He a baby in a manger? Is He a Sunday school story? Is He a good man, teacher, prophet? Or is He Your Savior and Lord, on the throne of your heart? Is He Savior, the eternal Son of God who came in the flesh to tabernacle among us and preach the glad tidings of salvation to this fallen world? He came as Savior. He came too as Judge. Judge of all humanity. He is both Judge and Savior of men. Our Judge is righteous and there is no error in Him. The Scriptures tell us He has “eyes as a flame of fire and His feet are burnished brass and out of His mouth comes a sharp and two-edged sword”. His justice is perfect and so perfect that He cannot leave room for mistake. His justice is fair as we are all equal at the foot of the cross and He shows no partiality.

Tozer once said, “I may pass brief judgement upon you on some simple matter, or you on me, but when it comes to the placing of my eternal and everlasting soul somewhere, I don’t want any mistakes made”.

I thank God this Christmas knowing that we can be assured and trust Him in all things and most importantly, with our salvation. I thank God knowing that we can rest in great assurance knowing we can leave all those we love who have died in His Eternal hands. I thank God that ‘He Came’ in the flesh and was birthed in a manger but in coming, He came to do our Father’s will, and He suffered at the cross….for the assurance He gives us and the promises He keeps…that He knows all and no mistakes can be made with Him…because He alone is the One who knows all things.

I pray that He will impart Himself to us in the most personal way this Christmas season, beginning with the assurance of a personal relationship with Him. May we journey this Christmas season – waiting and preparing our hearts to bring us all to a greater understanding of His great love that He has for us. May we glory in our salvation and in the wonder of these two words that speak of His Divine mercy and redeeming love – ‘He Came’….. and in doing so may His gift of Life be enough.

‘What think ye of Christ? - "Thyself, Lord! Give me Thyself and I can want no more.

‘What think ye of Christ?

Michelle A. Guerra