The Nativity: More Than A Message

THE NATIVITY
More Than A Message

The Message
The Ten Commandments was a written message directly from God at Mount Sinai. It was terrifying (Ex. 19:16-19; Heb. 12:18-21). Moses trembled with fear at the awesome sight of the mountain on fire during a violent storm. Anyone who touched the mountain would die (Ex. 19:12-13). People pleaded for the trumpet noise and the spoken message to stop.

The Messenger
In the Old Testament, God used prophets as messengers to bring His message orally and in writing (Heb. 1:1). The Holy Spirit directed their words (2 Pet. 1:19-21). These messengers were commended for their faith (Heb. 11:32-39). They endured persecution, torture, poverty and execution.

The Author
At Bethlehem, God didn’t send a message or a messenger, but the Author of the message (Acts 3:35; Heb 2:10; 12:2). He didn’t send a word, but the Word (Jn. 1:14). This is like the parable of the tenants (Mt. 21:33-43). The landowner sent his servants to collect the fruit from the vineyard, but the tenants killed them. These servants were messengers like the prophets. Finally, the landowner sent his own son to collect the fruit, but the tenants killed him too. This son was like Jesus, the heir.

An Awesome Scene
Although the nativity scene may look peaceful, it is really awesome. It terrified Satan, because Jesus came to destroy him and his work (Heb. 2:14; 1 Jn. 3:8). This was achieved when Jesus rose from the dead (Gen. 3:15). As a result, Satan will end up in the lake of fire (Mt. 25:41; Jn. 12:31; Rev. 20:10). Jesus is God’s greatest weapon in the war against Satan and evil. He is the power of God (Rom. 12:16). Bethlehem’s Babe will rule the universe (Eph. 1:10; Col. 1:18; Rev. 5:13; 19:16).

By Bob Springett