Sometimes we, like Ricky Bobby, focus on the sweet and cuddly Christmas Jesus. In Luke 1, Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, prophesies the birth of Jesus ending with these beautiful thoughts:
To give to His people the knowledge of salvation
By the forgiveness of their sins,
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Jesus came to this earth to have a relationship with us–an eternal relationship which is achieved through accepting his atoning work for us on the cross. He is tender. Merciful. Kind. Full of love. And willing to take the sins of the entire world upon Him for our sakes.
The figure in these verses is taken from travellers, who, being overtaken by night, know not what to do, and who wait patiently for the morning light, that they may know which way to go. So man wandered. So he became benighted. So he sat in the shadow of death. So he knew not which way to go until the Sun of righteousness arose, and then the light shone brightly on his way, and the road was open to the promised land of rest–to heaven. –Barnes’ Notes
Were you lost? Are you lost? Look toward the Sunrise: Jesus Christ.
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