On the TV screens in the hospital rooms were bloody images of terrorist attacks at an airport terminal in Germany. The tragic images from India this Thanksgiving reminded me of those days — a new life comes into the world full of promise, while at the same time other lives are ripped away by human barbarism and cruelty.
It was a dark world our Savior was born into. Stability was unsteadily maintained at the point of a Roman sword. Jesus was born to an oppressed and resentful people. God didn’t become a man in easy times or in the best places. Yet the perilous world He chose to enter did not keep Him from fruitful ministry. But it did cost Him. In the world’s eyes, His sojourn among us ended in a cruel and unjust execution — His flesh nailed to crossed timbers. Centuries before, God spoke of His coming:
Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. — Isaiah 53:4-5
He took upon Himself our griefs, our sorrows, our transgressions and sins. And by His carrying this load, we are made well. We know death did not hold Him, but the chains of death were broken and the promise of life fulfilled. Light dawned upon the world in Jesus Christ. Those who follow Him carry forth this light.
Mankind goes on,however, lost in darkness. Ask God to help you use this holiday season to shed some light to those around you. There are many local opportunities to help people see the Light this season. Take advantage of these, or make your own opportunities. But let us all pray that God will help us draw people’s attention to the Savior.
Yours in Christ,
Originally printed in the Acton Faith Bible Church Pony Express. Vol. I, No. 09, December 2008.