Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas Day #2 A Saviour Who Made Us Rich

Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas – Day #2 A Saviour Who Made Us Rich (Luke 2:7)

A Saviour Who Made Us Rich (Luke 2:7)

Luke 2:7, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger.”

In January of 1956, Jim Elliot and four other missionaries gave their lives in Ecuador in their effort to reach the Waodani (Auca) Indians. This fierce group was known to attack any outsiders, but the vision for reaching them with the gospel compelled these young men to take the risk. Not long after they set up camp near the Waodani village they were attacked by warriors. Refusing to defend their lives with force, the missionaries were killed. The news flashed around the world, and the story of courage and sacrifice challenged many to take up the missionary cause. Even today Elliot’s words live on: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” In a very real sense, Jim Elliot and his missionary friends were living the spirit of Christmas. They were willing to give up the comforts of home and promising careers and to ultimately lay down their lives to take the gospel to those who had never heard. They could have fought back to defend themselves, but they chose not to. This is what Jesus did for us in coming to Earth. Nothing of lasting significance and importance for God is ever accomplished without great sacrifice. Whether it is our time, our talent, our treasure, or even our lives, we must be willing to give up what is temporary for the sake of what is eternal. When we do, we are following the example and pattern of Christ and walking in His steps.

When Jesus allowed Himself to be laid in that manger, He was identifying Himself with those He came to save. Jesus came to identify with:
Man’s Destitution. Jesus knows about our needs. II Corinthians 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” He knows our deprivation. Matthew 8:20, “And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” He has promised to meet our need. Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Psalm 37:25, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

Man’s Difficulties. Jesus knows about our struggles. Isaiah 53:3, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” He knows about the trials we face and He has identified Himself with them. Therefore, He is able to help us through our troubles and meet the needs of our lives.

Man’s Desires. When Jesus came to this world, He knew that people were basically greedy and in love with wealth and the pursuit of it. He came to teach us that there is a higher priority in life. And, that priority is the glory of the Father! Luke 16:15, “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” He was born in that humble manger to remind men that the greatest goal of the human soul is to seek the glory of Almighty God ahead of everything else. Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

The Manger was the Way to the Father and Salvation!
When Mary laid the baby in the manger, the animals feeding trough, she was laying down the One Who would say in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” The manger did not appear to be very promising, but the One Who was “come from God”, also “went to God” (John 13:3), and would bring the true knowledge of God and His salvation to sinners.

The Manger was the Way to Freedom and Sufficiency!
On another occasion, Jesus taught that He was “the door of the sheep” (John 10:7). Jesus said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” While going in and out represents freedom and liberty, finding pasture portrays the sufficiency that is ours in Christ. Jesus was wrapped in “swaddling” clothes, that is to say he was bound, so that we might be made free.

The Manger was the Way to Fullness and Satisfaction!
The Apostle Paul explained in Romans 5:15, “…the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.” The tiny baby may not have filled up that feeding trough, but those of us who know Him and have experienced His grace can testify that He has filled and satisfied our lives. May others be brought to this same salvation, sufficiency, and satisfaction that is in Jesus. He was born in a manger, and thereby, He made Himself accessible to all who would come to Him. The birth of Jesus is an important event. I am glad it happened as it did because in it I find there is room for me and for you to come to Him and be saved by His grace.

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