Why Jesus? He is our King
“Pilate said to Him, ‘Then You are a King?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice.’ Pilate said to Him, ‘What is Truth?’ On saying this he went out to the Jews again and told them, ‘I find no fault in Him.’" - John 18: 37-38 (AMPC)
Christmas is a celebration of Jesus’ birth. He was born in Bethlehem of Judea and was placed in a manger, a trough which was used to feed animals.
Jesus Himself declared why He was born – John 18:37 (AMPC) –“…For I am a King. This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth.”
At Christmas, the focus is on the manger the swaddling clothes, the baby Jesus.
Jesus did not come to be worshiped as a baby – He was born a King and was born to establish His Kingdom on Earth in the hearts of mankind.
Wise men came seeking Him, to worship Him, bringing Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. No baby gifts – only gifts fit for a king.
Gold is the metal of kings. It acknowledges His right to rule.
Frankincense was used in temple worship. It pointed to Christ as our Great High Priest, whose life was pleasing and acceptable to His Father.
Myrrh was used for embalming. Obviously it related to the prophecies of His death. It was an anointing oil.
The manger was only a brief moment in Jesus’ life. His manger is empty. Jesus came as a king to introduce His Kingdom rule in the hearts of all who would worship Him.
The world He came to was dark, filled with harsh conditions, heavy taxation, hopelessness. He came as our great deliverer to bring us into His Kingdom of light.
Jesus came that truth could fill the Earth – a truth with power to transform lives.
The foundation of His Kingdom is righteousness and the ruling principle of His Kingdom is truth. Righteousness is out greatest weapon. A righteous life is our greatest gift to God. To the righteous God grants favor.
Christ is the truth about life beyond –
-life beyond existence
-life beyond circumstance
-life beyond who and what we are
-life beyond mere humanity.
His truth has the power to liberate us from the bondage of sin, from our woundedness, our broken hearts and broken dreams, to transfer us out of darkness into His marvelous light and transform us into His image.
Knowing His truth will make you free. (John 8:32)
His truth has the power to separate. We are sanctified, (set apart from a profane, carnal use) and rendered holy, consecrated to God. (John 17:17)
His truth investigates. It causes worship to arise from our heart and our worship gives meaning to life, fills us with energy, boldness and joy.
His truth affects how you think about God, who you believe Jesus is, and determines your worth, value and self-esteem.
The glory of His birth is only surpassed by the majesty of His life.
Amid a flood of social media tools to connect us, there prevails among us an inability to sustain deep and enduring, intimate, personal relationships.
His life is our example. He practiced solitude, prayer, sacrificial living, an intimate relationship with His Father, love and service to others.
Why Jesus? Because His birth, life, suffering, death and resurrection and ascension provided us with a nature like His that can draw upon the infinite resources of His Kingdom.
Discussion Questions:
1. My wealth, my worship, and my witness belong to my Lord. Are these your gifts to Him?
2. Can God's purposes by changed by my choices?
Prayer Focus
I pray that this King that was born brings me into His Kingdom and unleashes His power through me to live beyond myself.
Next Steps
1. Show the love of Jesus with everyone you come in contact with this Christmas season.
2. Invite your family and friends to the Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Services, December 24 @ 5pm & 6:30 pm.
Christmas is a celebration of Jesus’ birth. He was born in Bethlehem of Judea and was placed in a manger, a trough which was used to feed animals.
Jesus Himself declared why He was born – John 18:37 (AMPC) –“…For I am a King. This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth.”
At Christmas, the focus is on the manger the swaddling clothes, the baby Jesus.
Jesus did not come to be worshiped as a baby – He was born a King and was born to establish His Kingdom on Earth in the hearts of mankind.
Wise men came seeking Him, to worship Him, bringing Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. No baby gifts – only gifts fit for a king.
Gold is the metal of kings. It acknowledges His right to rule.
Frankincense was used in temple worship. It pointed to Christ as our Great High Priest, whose life was pleasing and acceptable to His Father.
Myrrh was used for embalming. Obviously it related to the prophecies of His death. It was an anointing oil.
The manger was only a brief moment in Jesus’ life. His manger is empty. Jesus came as a king to introduce His Kingdom rule in the hearts of all who would worship Him.
The world He came to was dark, filled with harsh conditions, heavy taxation, hopelessness. He came as our great deliverer to bring us into His Kingdom of light.
Jesus came that truth could fill the Earth – a truth with power to transform lives.
The foundation of His Kingdom is righteousness and the ruling principle of His Kingdom is truth. Righteousness is out greatest weapon. A righteous life is our greatest gift to God. To the righteous God grants favor.
Christ is the truth about life beyond –
-life beyond existence
-life beyond circumstance
-life beyond who and what we are
-life beyond mere humanity.
His truth has the power to liberate us from the bondage of sin, from our woundedness, our broken hearts and broken dreams, to transfer us out of darkness into His marvelous light and transform us into His image.
Knowing His truth will make you free. (John 8:32)
His truth has the power to separate. We are sanctified, (set apart from a profane, carnal use) and rendered holy, consecrated to God. (John 17:17)
His truth investigates. It causes worship to arise from our heart and our worship gives meaning to life, fills us with energy, boldness and joy.
His truth affects how you think about God, who you believe Jesus is, and determines your worth, value and self-esteem.
The glory of His birth is only surpassed by the majesty of His life.
Amid a flood of social media tools to connect us, there prevails among us an inability to sustain deep and enduring, intimate, personal relationships.
His life is our example. He practiced solitude, prayer, sacrificial living, an intimate relationship with His Father, love and service to others.
Why Jesus? Because His birth, life, suffering, death and resurrection and ascension provided us with a nature like His that can draw upon the infinite resources of His Kingdom.
Discussion Questions:
1. My wealth, my worship, and my witness belong to my Lord. Are these your gifts to Him?
2. Can God's purposes by changed by my choices?
Prayer Focus
I pray that this King that was born brings me into His Kingdom and unleashes His power through me to live beyond myself.
Next Steps
1. Show the love of Jesus with everyone you come in contact with this Christmas season.
2. Invite your family and friends to the Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Services, December 24 @ 5pm & 6:30 pm.
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