I recently was taking my 12 year old daughter to church in the middle of the week for a Christmas rehearsal. We were running late and ended up in stop and go traffic due to construction and school dismissal. My daughter was convinced I should turn into a neighborhood, cut through the gas station parking lot, and then get back on the service road to the church. I explained to her, everyone was doing that and we might as well just wait it out. As time went on and we remained still, she grew even more impatient. “Dad it’s 3:58! Rehearsal is at 4!”
I decided to take my daughter’s advice. Or pressure rather. I swerved over to a turn lane and began swiftly turning down neighborhood streets. I got to a four way stop. Saw that there were no cars in sight and turned at the stop sign. Only problem was…I didn’t fully stop. I just slowed. Out of nowhere a car came right up behind me and turned on the brightest Christmas lights I’d ever seen. Turns out the Police Department is sticking with red and blue again this year.
I did my best to take ownership of running the stop sign, I was polite, respectful, and even invited the officer to church. Selfishly thinking this will get me off with a warning…It didn’t. I was issued a citation and off we headed to the church.
As we enter into yet another Christmas season, as we celebrate a story we’ve all heard time and time again, as I prepare Christmas sermons that I’ve preached every year trying to put a fresh spin on things. I was reminded of something powerful.
Why is this “Good News” such good news? Why do the angels declare this news of a Savior will bring joy to all? Simply put, because this news is not news of another chance, but of a Savior who SAVES.
I once got a speeding ticket when I was 18. Turns out I got another chance to obey the law and drive. Now at 35, I’ve broken the law again. No matter how hard I try, I likely mess up and break the law again.
If I can’t keep traffic laws, how on earth am I supposed to keep God’s law? The Pharisees tried to keep 613 laws, Moses received 10, and Jesus reduced it to 2.
Jesus said the greatest law is to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love my neighbor as much as I love me.
How you doing with that? Me? Not so good. Sometimes I don’t love God with everything. Sometimes my mind wonders to sinful thoughts. Sometimes I love the people like me and my friends and family really well, but strangers…enemies. Neighbor means everyone. I can’t keep the law. I don’t need easier rules or a second chance. I need a Savior. I need someone that can fulfill the law. I need someone to love me enough to fulfill the law on my behalf…
Well Good News
““Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Matthew 5:17 NIV
This Christmas, we don’t celebrate a babies birth. We celebrate a Savior. The One who comes to fulfill the law on our behalf.
“but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”
Luke 2:10-11 NLT
There is joy to all people. A Savior is born. The Messiah. The Christ.
Merry CHRISTmas Vacant Grave Society. Joy to you all!
Pastor Aaron
1 comment
What a great reminder! Well said! Thank you for sharing!!