Forsaken... , Yet Triumphant

In Jerusalem today, within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, is the spot where Jesus was crucified; it is just outside the walls of Old Jerusalem. As He hung on the cross between two criminals, Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” These words express a depth of anguish, distress, and isolation beyond human comprehension.

At first glance, it may seem as though Jesus was completely caught off guard by what was happening. However, there are important truths to remember.

No Surprise

First, Jesus was fully aware that He would be crucified.
Throughout His ministry, He repeatedly told His disciples that He would be betrayed, condemned to death, mocked, beaten, and crucified (Mark 8:31-32; 9:30-32; 10:32-34). He knew not only that this would happen, but that it was necessary. When Peter attempted to dissuade Him from going to the cross, Jesus firmly rebuked him.

Second, Jesus was not confused about His identity or His mission.
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus said that His blood would be poured out for the forgiveness of sins (Matt 26:28). Now, the pouring out of blood for the forgiveness of sins was an everyday practice at the Jerusalem temple (Num 28:3-4; Ezra 3:3). It was a continual burnt offering so that the Lord, who is holy, would dwell among His unholy people (Exod. 29:45). By saying this, Jesus was declaring that He Himself would bear the sins of humanity.

Moreover, John the Baptist identified Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

So, if Jesus knew what was coming and fully understood His mission, what lies behind His cry on the cross?

Psalm 22

Jesus’ words, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” are a direct quotation from Psalm 22. In Jesus’ time, Old Testament scriptures were not divided into chapters and verses as they are today. Most texts were identified by the first few words of the text, similar to how we identify songs today. By quoting the first line, Jesus was pointing those who heard Him to the entire psalm.

Why this psalm? What is it about this Psalm that Jesus is drawing attention to as He hangs on the cross?

Psalm 22, written by David, expresses a cry for deliverance while he was being pursued and surrounded by his enemies. While it applied to David’s own circumstances, it also prophetically pointed to the coming Messiah. And, remarkably, it aligns in striking detail with the events of Jesus’ crucifixion.

Consider these parallels:

And,

And,

Yet Psalm 22 is not only a cry for deliverance—it is also a testament of the Lord’s deliverance. Jesus knew that His suffering would not end in despair and disappointment, but in triumph.

Rescue and Triumph

Beginning in verse 22, the tone of the psalm shifts to praise. In verse 24, David declares that the Lord “has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from him; but when he cried to Him for help, He heard.”

This is the truth Jesus was affirming—both for Himself and for those around Him: The Lord will deliver His anointed King (Ps 20:6) and will answer His afflicted when they call (Ps 31:22).

Jesus was not abandoned to the grave, but He was delivered. On the third day, He rose again, in triumph, just as the movement of Psalm 22 prophesied. His resurrection is the ultimate evidence of God’s deliverance and the fulfillment of His mission.

Our Deliverance in Jesus

Jesus fulfilled His mission by truly becoming sin for us and taking our sins upon Himself. In doing so, He was truly forsaken by the Lord, for nothing unclean can stand in His presence. This is the devastating reality of sin—it creates an unfathomable separation between us and God, cutting us off from His presence and His love. Unless that sin is dealt with, there can be no reconciliation or relationship with the Lord. 

What this abandonment meant for the Son of God is beyond our full understanding. Yet Jesus underwent it on our behalf so that we would not have to. He conquered the power of sin—death itself—so that we, who could never overcome it on our own, might share in His victory. We enter into that victory by turning to Jesus and abandoning all human efforts to save ourselves. Through faith, not by our works, we are united with Him in His death, resurrection, and glorification, and in Him we are reconciled to the Father.

As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, let us remember that He became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21); he was forsaken so we can be adopted as children by God. His triumph over death guarantees it for us!

Who were the Magi?

The story of the Magi appears in the second chapter of the Gospel of Matthew and has become an integral part of the Christmas narrative. The Magi are commonly depicted in nativity scenes, featured in carols such as “We Three Kings,” and even commemorated on a specific day of the church calendar.

But who were the Magi, and why are they important to the story of Christmas?

Misconceptions About the Magi

Many commonly held beliefs about the Magi are not based on the biblical text.

If these popular beliefs are misconceptions, then who were the Magi really?

Who Were the Magi?

Several theories have been proposed regarding the identity of the Magi. Matthew’s Gospel, however, does not provide any information other than they were from the east. Nevertheless, we can use some tools of interpretation, in this case, looking for clues from other parts of the Bible, to gather relevant information. 

The Greek word used for “Magi”, typically translated magicians or wise men, is used prior to Matthew in the Greek translation of the Old Testament; however, it appears only in the book of Daniel – see Dan 1:20; 2:2, 2:10, 2:27; 4:7; 5:7, 5:11, and 5:15. So, we look for clues in the story of Daniel.

Connections to Daniel

Daniel was an Israelite from the tribe of Judah who lived in captivity in Babylon. (The Babylonian Empire later became the Persian Empire.) Scripture describes Daniel as possessing an extraordinary spirit, and he was regarded as the wisest man in the land. King Nebuchadnezzar appointed him chief of the magicians (Dan 5:11), and later he became one of three governors over the kingdom; the king even planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom (Dan 6:2–3).

This Daniel prophesied about the Messiah. In Dan 9:24-27, Daniel wrote that the Messiah the Prince would come at a specific time in history. And being a high-ranking official in the land, his words were known and preserved, particularly, by the magicians.

Additional Considerations

The Israelites were taken into exile because of their unfaithfulness to God’s covenant. Before and during this exile, God spoke through multiple prophets, promising deliverance through a Messiah (see Isaiah 9:6–7; 11:1–2; 42:1–4; 49:5–6; Jer 23:5–6; 30:9; 33:15–16; Ezek 34:23–24; 37:24–25, and others). These prophecies were similar to Daniel’s prophecy.

When we consider these biblical clues, there is strong reason to believe that the Magi were wise men from Persia, which is located east of Jerusalem. They were familiar with Daniel’s prophecies and other messianic predictions foretelling the birth of the King of Israel—the King of the Jews. They knew this birth would occur after the rebuilding of the temple (Dan 9:25), which also explains how observing a star led them to conclude that a new King had been born.

While this interpretation is plausible, Scripture ultimately tells us only that the Magi came from the east. And whether it is true or not that they were from Persia, we can still see how God acted in history to fulfill His promise.

Significance

The birth of the Son of God, the Messiah, was promised since the Fall of mankind (see Not an Ordinary Birth) and prophesied by various prophets as seen above. And when the appointed time for this birth came, the Lord opened the heavens and announced it with extraordinary signs. He made a star appear in the sky and He sent His choir of angels to proclaim it to the shepherds. This was not something God wanted the world to miss!

Moreover, God announced this message to all kinds of people. The Israelites had the prophecies, the non-Israelite Magi saw the star in the sky, the common shepherds heard it through the angels, and through the Magi, God also made the news known to the powerful Herod, the chief priests, and the scribes.

But why?

God did this because of His great love for us, and He did not want anyone to miss this moment. God sent Jesus so that in Him we might be reconciled to Himself and be freed from the bondage of sin. God knew that we could never earn this reconciliation by ourselves or our works. The only way this was going to happen was if He Himself became a man, undid the curse of sin, and defeated sin, death, and Satan. And that is exactly what He did through Jesus.

We, now, receive this reconciliation by turning away from our sin and our idols in repentance, and turning to Jesus in faith, trusting His finished work alone for our salvation. So, turn to Him today!

God also made the birth of Jesus known so that we would worship Him. Just as the Magi came to worship Him, we are also called to worship Him. They did not come to honor an ordinary child, but to worship the King of the Jews. Jesus is not only the King of the Jews; He is the true Messiah, the true God of the universe, and the King of the entire world.

And this is exactly what God wants from every one of us also – to worship Jesus, to bow our knees and confess Him as Lord and Savior. 

Will you do that this Christmas?

Merry Christmas!!

No Resurrection... No Justice

"It’s not fair!"
We've all said these words at some point. Whenever we feel that a situation or outcome is unjust, we naturally express our frustration. In those moments, we long for restitution. And, if we are honest, we also long for retribution; we want the person or people responsible for the injustice to be punished. But often, there is neither restitution nor retribution. Instead, it seems as though the oppressors face no consequences, free to do as they please.

But is this the true nature of reality? Will tyrants and bullies never face judgment for their actions?

Answers Outside Christianity

For atheists and non-Christians, the absence of true justice is consistent with their worldview. In atheism, the natural world is all there is and consequently, survival of the fittest reigns. Acts of oppression are just part of the natural order. On the other hand, non-Christian theistic worldviews are inconsistent and the concept of true justice is very arbitrary (see teaching on worldviews here).

True justice – a concept deeply embedded in every human heart—requires a judgment beyond this world, accompanied by a fail-safe system of justice. This is exactly what we find in the death and resurrection of Jesus – that not only is true justice possible, but it is also the truth of reality.

Justice in the Death of Jesus

The death of Jesus is not just the greatest spectacle of love for humanity; it is also the highest display of true justice. Jesus did not die for His own sins – He had none (Heb. 4:15). Instead, He bore our sins in His body on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24). The just and righteous One died for the unrighteous (1 Pet. 3:18), taking upon Himself the penalty for our wrongdoing. God condemned sin in the flesh of Jesus so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled (Rom 8:3-4).

The Law is God’s perfect standard revealed to us. The Law is holy, righteous, and good (Rom 7:12). It is spiritual in nature (Rom. 7:14), rooted in God’s very being, reflecting His character. Every act of sin, every act of injustice, is a violation of this law—sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). Just as we feel violated by injustice, so too God is violated in ways more than we can imagine. And because of His perfect justice, God cannot simply overlook sin (Hab. 1:13).

At the right time, God demonstrated His justice to the world through the blood of Jesus (Rom. 3:25-26). Jesus’ death fulfills the penalty of the Law and secures full retribution. It removes God’s wrath and there is no more guilt with respect to God’s Law. We know this because Jesus did not stay dead but rose again on the third day and is now seated at the right hand of the Father, thus confirming that the penalty of sin has been fully paid (Heb 10:12-14).

This freedom, however, is only for those who come to Jesus in faith (Rom. 3:22). For those in Christ, there is no condemnation (Rom. 8:1), because Jesus took on the punishment we deserved.

Justice Apart from Jesus

But what about those who haven’t put their faith in Christ? What happens to their lawlessness?

The answer lies in the resurrection of Jesus. The bodily resurrection of Jesus is a historical reality (see here) and no alternate theories can account for the facts surrounding the events that occurred following the death of Jesus (see here). Jesus’ resurrection proves that there is more to reality than the natural realm – there is a supernatural, eternal realm that holds ultimate significance.

Because Jesus rose, all the dead will one day rise as well, and they will be judged for their deeds (Acts 17:31). Many of them will awake to everlasting life but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt (Dan. 12:2). Every person not united to Christ will be judged by God for their actions. This judgment will be carried out perfectly by God through Jesus (John 5:22). Every tyrant and oppressor will face accountability. No sin will go unpunished. This is why the resurrection of Jesus is crucial for justice.

If Jesus had not risen from the dead, the dead would also not rise (1 Cor. 15:13), and there would be no true justice. As Paul says, if the dead are not raised, "let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die" (1 Cor. 15:32) – in other words, we can be free to satisfy our desires and live without fear of consequence, since nothing beyond this life matters.

But because Jesus rose from the dead, true justice will prevail, and every deed will be judged. For those united to Christ, their sins were judged at the cross, and they are forgiven. But for those who are not in Christ, they will face God’s judgment (Rev. 20:15).

What Now?

So, the pressing question is: What about your sins?

Are you united to Christ through faith and repentance, so that there is no condemnation for you? If yes, this is a reason to rejoice not just on Easter Sunday but every day of our lives. 

Or are you relying on your own merit to fulfill God's law? James reminds us, if we stumble in one part of the law, we are guilty of breaking it all (James 2:10). Have you kept God’s Law perfectly? If you haven’t (hint: no one other than Jesus has), then turn to Jesus for forgiveness and trust in His finished work. Do not find yourself along with the dictators and oppressors when Jesus will return to judge the world.

Happy Resurrection Day!!

What Child is this, What Man was He?

Most people enjoy puzzles and brain-teasers. They’re captivating and often evoke a range of emotions as people try to solve them. One popular puzzle you may be familiar with is "one of these is not like the others." In this puzzle, a set of items is presented, and the contestant is asked to identify the one that differs from the rest. Typically, there is one key aspect that makes one item stand out.

When we consider every human being who has ever lived, Jesus is the One who is different from all of us. He stands out because He was without sin.

But if He was different from all humans, then was He really human? And if He was human but different from us, what kind of human was He? To answer these questions, we must first understand the true nature of humans. And to understand that, we have to go way back… all the way back to when God created humans.

Back to Creation

When God created humans, He made them in His own image and likeness (Gen 1:27), and He said that it was very good (Gen 1:31). In their original state, humans – Adam and Eve – were able to live in God's presence. They were not created flawed or sinful. They did not require a sacrifice to approach God’s presence, as we see from Leviticus onwards. They enjoyed fellowship with God and, in fact, were His representatives to all of creation. Adam and Eve ate, slept, moved, worked (yes, work existed before the Fall), had relationships, and enjoyed all of God’s creation according to God’s design.

This was God’s design for humanity and this is what being human meant according to God’s purposes. There was no fault in them. To err was not human. There was no fear, guilt, sickness, or death that characterized humanity. Sin was not part of human nature.

Humanity Corrupted

However, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, sin entered the world. Humanity was now stained with sin. Everyone born of Adam and Eve inherited a sinful nature. Through sin, death, sickness, sorrow, and fear entered the world, spreading to all humanity (Rom 5:12). Sin multiplied greatly, and humanity, which was very good in God's eyes, became filled with evil, grieving the Lord (Gen 6:5-6).

Humans were no longer as God had originally created them. In this fallen state, they were not fully human according to God’s design. And this is true even today. Everyone who is conceived naturally and is born as a human, is, in fact, born in sin (Ps 51:5). Sin, like hunger or thirst, has become a default aspect of human nature.

But God did not give up on humans. Right after the Fall, He promised Adam and Eve in Gen 3:15 that He would send a new human, a true human, a complete human, a sinless human who would defeat Satan and sin. And who will fulfill that which Adam was supposed to fulfill, namely, to fill the earth with God’s image-bearers (Gen 1:28). That man was Jesus.

Jesus' Humanity

Jesus, the Son of God, entered humanity through the incarnation. However, He did not inherit the sinful nature that had now become part of human nature. He was conceived supernaturally by the power of the Holy Spirit and was born of a virgin. Jesus was fully human in every way that God originally designed humans to be. But, unlike Adam, He was born into a fallen world. He experienced hunger, thirst, sorrow, rejection, mockery, and even temptation, just as everyone born in a fallen world does. Yet, unlike us, He was without sin and did not yield to temptation (Matt 4:1-11, Heb 4:15).

Jesus took on human nature and was made in the likeness of men (Phil 2:7). Because He was truly human and a better Adam, He resisted temptation and lived without sin. Because He was truly human, He lived in perfect communion with God. Because He was truly human, He became the true representative of all humans, who could not approach God by themselves. He took upon Himself the sins of humans, experiencing death on our behalf. He died on behalf of His people to save them (Matt 1:21) and bore the judgment we deserved (Is 53:5-6). But because He was sinless, death could not hold Him, and God raised Him from the dead, ending the agony of death (Acts 2:24).

Humanity Restored

Humans who are in Jesus through faith, already experience humanity according to God’s original design. In Jesus, we can boldly approach God’s throne (Heb 4:16). We enjoy deeper fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (1 Cor 6:19). And, through the Spirit, we are set free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2). And, one day, when Jesus returns as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16), He will restore all of creation, and we will be transformed to what God intended humans to be – like Jesus (1 John 3:2).

Conclusion

As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us remember that the Son of God became human – a true human – to restore humanity – and more – to everyone who is united to Him through faith. He became like us in every way, except sin. In Jesus, we have a true representative before God because He became like us. And because of the similarity He shares with us, we will one day be like He is – sinless and perfected.

Turn to Him and be restored!

Merry Christmas!!

Reigning on the Cross

When we think of a king, we typically picture someone sitting on a throne in a long throne room with people lined up on either side. The king is robed in his best garment, pronouncing judgments, and giving commands to all his subjects. At other occasions, we could picture him riding in his chariot as his subjects cry out praises. 

Occasionally, we also see a king on the battlefield fighting his enemies. He is in the thick of war and is being attacked on all sides. He is pursuing his foes and may even get injured in the battle. No one questions his kingship if he takes a blow or two, or if he falls down. They see how the king is fighting to save his people and his kingdom. 

Now, that is exactly what we see on the cross. Jesus, the King of the universe, was fighting to save His people; He was defeating the power of sin and battling Satan and his armies on the cross. Even though it looked like Jesus was helpless and suffering, he was a King and continued being a King on the cross. 

Where It All Began

The plot of this war was first revealed in Gen 3:15. After Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden tree, God pronounced curses for their disobedience. But even in the midst of the curses, God promised victory for the seed of the woman – He would crush the head of the serpent, that is, kill and destroy the devil completely. But this victory would not come without collateral damage. In the process, the serpent would bruise His heel, that is, inflict some kind of pain on the woman’s seed. 

All of the Old Testament expects and looks forward to the particular seed of the woman who will crush Satan and his armies. And progressively, the identity of this Savior is revealed throughout biblical history (see here). The Old Testament goes beyond revealing His identity and gives us hints regarding the pain He will suffer; the greatest hint can be seen in Isaiah 53. The Servant of the Lord, who is the seed of the woman, will be despised and forsaken (Is 53:3), stricken (Is 53:4), He will be pierced and scourged (Is 53:5), oppressed (Is 53:7), and killed (Is 53:9). This was God’s prophecy through the prophet Isaiah.  

Where It Was Accomplished

The New Testament shows clearly that Jesus, the Nazarene, is that seed of the woman. And Jesus provided sufficient evidence in His lifetime that He was the only One who had power over Satan and his armies. (Matt 4:1-11; Mark 5:1-13; Luke 4:40-41). As He came to the end of His earthly life, Jesus knew that He would be bruised, that is, put to death. But this was also the moment when He would crush the head of the serpent (Satan).

This final act begins in a garden (Gethsemane) just as the first act ended in a garden (Eden). Jesus was betrayed and forsaken, He was then falsely accused, scourged, nailed (pierced) to the cross, and put to death. But as He was enduring this bruise, He was also defeating all the enemies of His people. 

So, Jesus was waging war and defeating His people's enemies on the cross. And in that sense, Jesus was exercising His kingly duties on the cross. The greatest confirmation of this fact is His resurrection (see here). If Jesus had not risen, then none of this would have been true. He would have been just another person who was beaten and crucified and put to death on the cross. But His resurrection is evidence that Jesus truly accomplished victory over all of His people's enemies. He was not defeated; rather, as the only true King, He defeated sin, sickness, death, and Satan. 

It Was For His People

Jesus underwent this bruising and accomplished this victory for us, His people. Even in Isaiah’s prophecy, we see that the Servant of the Lord endures the suffering on behalf of us. He bore our griefs and our sorrows, He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities (Is 53:4-5). 

Peter tells us that Jesus bore our sins in His body so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (1 Pet 2:24). What we could not accomplish, God did; He condemned sin in Jesus’ flesh so that we can be free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2-3). Jesus hung on the cross and became a curse for us to free us from the curse we incurred for disobeying God’s Law (Gal 4:13). Jesus defeated death so that we should no longer be slaves to the fear of death (Heb 2:15) rather be victorious over it (1 Cor 15:55-57). 

The death that we deserved, Jesus suffered on the cross; and in His victory, we are victorious. 

How it still continues

The victory that Jesus achieved was once and for all time. And those who are united to Jesus – that is, those who have turned away from their sin and from trusting in their works to trusting in the finished work of Jesus – they enjoy this victory now on this earth (Rom 8:37). And they will enjoy it even more fully when Jesus establishes His kingdom here on the earth (Rev 5:10).  

As we remember Jesus’ victory in His death and His resurrection, will you reign with Him in His kingdom? 

Come, behold the wondrous mystery
Christ, the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father's plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold

Come, behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death, the God of life
But no grave could ever restrain Him
Praise the Lord, He is alive
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes

Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery; by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa

Why the Virgin Conception?

“All is calm, all is bright, round yon virgin mother and child.” These are words from the most popular Christmas carol, “Silent Night!” Most of us have sung these words thousands of times. The words “virgin” and “mother” rarely go together. But that is the reality of Jesus’ birth – He was born of a virgin. Nothing like this has ever happened in all of history. And it did not take place without a purpose. God was not just flexing His muscles to show the world what He can do. It was necessary that Jesus be born of a virgin for Him to accomplish what He intended. And without the virgin conception, Jesus would have failed even before He left the womb. 

Let’s begin to understand this by first seeing what Jesus was supposed to accomplish. 

Jesus’ Mission

The birth of Jesus, the Messiah, was prophesied long ago in the Old Testament by God directly and also through the prophets (see here). All these prophecies included specific things that Jesus would accomplish. And primarily, His mission – the reason He came to this world – was to reconcile humans and all creation to God (2 Cor 5:19). 

Humans once enjoyed close fellowship with God in the garden of Eden. However, because of sin – because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve – humans were alienated from God. Through that one act of disobedience, sin entered the world and spread to all mankind (Rom 5:12). Every person born is born under the curse of sin (Ps 51:5, Eph 2:2) and we are all separated from God (Rom 3:23). Moreover, we cannot redeem ourselves from this state because in our minds we are hostile to God (Rom 8:7-8), we enjoy our sin (Eph 2:3), and all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags before the Lord (Is 64:6).  According to God’s law, the wages of our sin is death (Rom 6:23). Such is the helpless state of mankind in comparison to God’s holiness. And this is what Jesus came to rectify. 

He did this by bearing our sins upon Himself and dying in our place (1 Pet 3:18); while we were still helpless, Jesus died for us and redeemed us from the wrath of God (Rom 5:6). And He could do this only because of His virgin conception. 

Importance of the Virgin Conception

Before diving into this, let us keep in mind that the birth of Jesus was not miraculous but His conception was. He was born like any of us are born – He was in Mary’s womb for 9 months, and was delivered like any of us are; but unlike us, He was conceived by a virgin, without the involvement of a man. Therefore, the term “Virgin birth” is misleading.

The story about the conception of Jesus is found in the Gospels of Matthew and of Luke. Mary, the young virgin, became pregnant before she had relations with a man. The child in her womb, Jesus, was conceived of the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:20) and eventually, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. 

As we saw earlier, everyone conceived naturally of Adam and Eve inherited sin and are sinful by nature – sin spread to all mankind. And a sinful person could never reconcile humans to God because he cannot be a suitable atonement. God revealed this truth through the sacrificial system in the Old Testament. The sacrificial animal, which was a substitute for the people, had to be without blemish. The best example of this is the Passover lamb in Exodus 12:5 – it was to be unblemished. We see the same in Lev 1:3,10; 3:1; 4:3; 14:10; 23:18; Num 6:14; 28:19, and many more. So, for Jesus to be our sacrifice, our Passover Lamb (1 Pet 1:19), He needed to be without sin. He could not inherit the sin of Adam from birth; and at the same time, He could not commit any sin either during His life on earth. 

To accomplish this, according to God’s awesome and wise plan, Jesus was not conceived in a way which will automatically associate sin to Him. He was not stained with a sinful nature into which everyone is born. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and was free from sin. And when we think about it, isn't that how God created man originally? Adam was created when God breathed life into him and he was created without sin, and God said that it was very good (Gen 1:31). Likewise, Jesus was also born without sin as the second and last Adam (Rom 5:14). 

And when it comes to committing sin during His life on earth, the Bible is clear that Jesus never sinned though He was tempted in every way as we are (Heb 4:15). He was not subject to sin as we are and there was no desire in Him to break God’s Law. Even during His false trial before His crucifixion, He was found to be without guilt (John 18:8). 

Thus, Jesus was sinless in every way and it began with His virgin conception.

Conclusion

The virgin conception of Jesus is crucial in God’s redemption story. If He had not been born of a virgin, then He would have been sinful and He would have needed redemption just like all of us. But, praise the Lord, Jesus was born of a virgin and therefore, He was sinless, and because He was sinless, He could be and was the perfect atonement for our sins. 

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus this year, let us ponder on the importance of His virgin conception and how it was absolutely necessary for our redemption. The nature of the incarnation of the Son of God is intertwined with his atoning work on the cross. His unblemished nature was organically tied to His perfect life, His death, and His resurrection. 

Without the virgin womb, there would not have been an empty tomb!

Merry Christmas!

Further Reading

  1. Stephen J. Wellum, God the Son Incarnate
  2. Stephen J. Vellum, Christ Alone

Not an Ordinary Birth!

Remember the feeling you experienced when you kept a promise? More than that, remember the joy when someone fulfilled their promise to you? What if that fulfillment came after a time of waiting? 

In Jesus’ birth, God fulfilled a multitude of His promises. These promises were made many millennia before they were fulfilled. But God never forgot them. In fact, He carefully orchestrated and brought about the events exactly the way in which He prophesied them. In that sense, the birth of Jesus was not an ordinary birth. It was a marker of God’s faithfulness and shows that God is in complete control of all things. His words are true and they will never fail. 

The First Promise

Ever since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, God promised a Savior to not only undo the curse of sin but also to crush Satan. We see this in Gen 3:15, where God promises a seed of the woman who will crush the head of the serpent (Satan). This promise was fulfilled that night in Bethlehem because Jesus was that seed and He would eventually crush Satan’s head and his dominion on the cross. 

Subsequent Promises

To Abraham

When God called Abraham, He promised him descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. And in Gen 22:18, God promised him that through his seed all the nations will be blessed. Peter interprets this seed to be Jesus in Acts 3:25 when he is preaching to the Jews. Paul also, in Gal 3:16, associates this seed to be Jesus, Abraham’s greatest descendant. In Jesus all the nations will be blessed when they turn to Him in faith. When Jesus was born, God’s promise to Abraham to provide him a seed to bless the nations was fulfilled. 

To Moses

There was not a greater prophet than Moses in the history of the people of Israel. Moses was the one who gave God’s Law to the Israelites and, even today, he is greatly revered and followed by devout Jews. But in Deut. 18:18, God told Moses that He will raise up a prophet like him and that the people are to listen to this prophet’s words. God did raise up such a prophet on the night that Jesus was born. Jesus was that prophet who brought grace and truth, just as Moses brought the Law (John 1:17), and in Jesus’ birth, God’s promise to Moses was fulfilled. 

To David

King David was a man after God’s own heart and because of his zeal for the Lord, he wanted to build God a temple, a dwelling place for God’s presence. But God told David that it would be his descendant and not him who would build the temple. God promised that He will raise up one of David’s descendants to be a king forever and that His kingdom will have no end. And this King was Jesus who was born in the lineage of David. He did not build a temple with stones but His own body (John 2:19, 21), which is now His church (1 Pet 2:5). And, moreover, as God promised, Jesus’ Kingdom will never end (Luke 1:33, 2 Pet 1:11). The birth of Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promise to David to provide a King from his lineage who will reign forever. 

To Isaiah

There is no clearer promise of a virgin conceiving and giving birth to a son than in Isaiah 7:14. This was God’s sign to the people of the household of David to show that God will deliver them. In Isaiah 7, the deliverance was against the Arameans, but that was not the only purpose of the sign. This was also God’s sign for His people that He will deliver them from all oppression. More than 700 years later, when Jesus was born of a virgin (Luke 1:31,34, 2:7), God’s sign was manifested; His promise of a deliverer was fulfilled. 

To Micah

While God promised to Isaiah the manner in which Jesus would be born (through a virgin), to Micah God promised the exact location of His birth. Bethlehem was a small city of little significance in the clan of Judah. But in Micah 5:2, God chooses this city to be the place where a ruler for Him would be born. Centuries later, wise men from the east see the star of the King of the Jews and come to meet Herod. The priests and scribes in Herod’s court confirm Micah’s words of a ruler coming from Bethlehem (Matt 2:2-5). The wise men then find Jesus in Bethlehem and worship Him. 

Mary and Joseph did not live in Bethlehem; they lived in Nazareth of Galilee, which is about 93 miles (153 km) from Bethlehem (about a week’s journey by foot with a heavily pregnant woman). However, God orchestrated the events – the census, the time of birth, and the arrival at Bethlehem – to ensure Jesus, His Ruler, would be born in Bethlehem according to His promise. Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem fulfilled God’s promise of a ruler coming from that city. 

To Jeremiah

When God’s people in Judah were mistreated by their leaders, God denounces these false leaders and promises to raise up a righteous Branch who will do justice and righteousness in the land (Jer 23:5-6). Jesus was that Branch because there was no unrighteousness found in Him (Heb 4:15, 1 Pet 2:22), and His judgements were true (John 5:30). In the birth of Jesus, God fulfilled His promise He made to Jeremiah.

Conclusion

In the birth of Jesus, God made a loud proclamation that His promises to provide a Savior, a Deliverer, a Prophet, a Ruler, a Righteous Judge, an everlasting King, and our Salvation were fulfilled. He has proved Himself to be faithful.

Jesus’ birth was not an ordinary event. It was God, the Son, entering the earth in human form. He who was the Lord of the universe took on human flesh to redeem humans. He did this for His name’s sake, to be true to His nature and to His word. It was also His love for His people that caused Him to be born as a child. This is worthy of celebration, not just on Christmas Day but everyday and every moment of our lives! 

Merry Christmas !! 

What Must Christians Do with the OT Law?

In Part 1 of this two-part series, we considered if the Old Testament Law applies to Christians today (see here). We concluded that in Christ, we are released from the Law (Rom 7:6); we are dead to it (Rom 7:4); and we are not under the Law anymore (Gal 5:18). No portion of the OT Law is binding on Christians for the sake of righteousness; that is, we are not judged by the legal demands of the Law. We are set free from the penalty of its condemnation. 

However, this does not mean we can live lawless lives. We should, rather, uphold the Law (Rom 3:31). What does this look like in a Christian’s life? Before we answer that question, we need to understand the original purpose of the Law and the context in which it was administered. 

The purpose of the Law

The Law is often synonymous with the Mosaic Covenant or the Old Covenant. It was a Covenant (or treaty) which God made with the Israelites after He delivered them from their slavery in the land of Egypt. This was the context for the Law, and it served the following purposes. 

  1. The Law functioned as the means of relationship between God and the Israelites. Obedience was the instrument to experience covenant blessings and disobedience would bring curses (Deut 27-30). 
  2. The Law reveals the character of God. We find in the Law that God is holy (Lev 11:45). His standards are perfect and He expects His covenant people to live up to His perfect standards (Num 15:40). 
  3. The Law reveals sin. It is like a mirror which shows our flaws. Paul writes in Rom 7:7 that through the Law, He knew what sin was. Through the Law, we know we have also broken God’s commands.
  4. The Law shows the need for a new covenant. It anticipates the failure of the Israelites to keep the commands and reveals the need for a heart transformation (Deut 30:1-6). 
  5. The Law served as a teacher. It was like a guardian watching over a minor until the person reached adulthood. The Law was a tutor to lead people to Christ (Gal 3:24). 

See the Law through Christ

Should Christians use the Law in the same way today? The answer to this question is both No and Yes. Christians have to view the Law in light of Christ’s finished work. By proclaiming that He came to fulfill the Law (Matt 5:17-20), Jesus showed that He is the goal (telos) of the Law. In Him, every part of the Law has been brought to its completion. And, as Jesus said, every jot and tittle (Matt 5:18 KJV) was accomplished in Him. 

In this sense, the Law is not the direct and immediate guide for Christians anymore. It is not the means of relationship with God; rather Christ is. We see God’s character through Jesus (John 1:18, 14:9). The Gospel takes away our sin and makes us righteous because of the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5:21). And Christians are already in the new covenant and only need to look to Christ, our covenant head (Heb 8:6). 

Yet, the Law is God’s Word and it is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16). And, in this sense, the Law continues to be a relevant guide for believers and is indirectly applicable through Christ’s law fulfillment. That is, every part of the Law has to be evaluated through Christ as the mediator to understand what it means for Christians who are part of the new covenant. This will result in what Paul identifies as the “Law of Christ” (1 Cor 9:21, Gal 6:2).

A Practical Look at the Law

Here is what it means practically for us today. We have to assess every aspect of the Law through Christ. He is the bridge through which each command travels before it comes to us. We do this by first understanding the application and theological intent of the portion of the Law in its original context, and then evaluating it in light of how Christ fulfilled the Law. Consequently, we see that these commands are annulled, intensified, transformed, or extended (maintained) for us today. 

Let’s look at a few examples.

Annulled

The Law contains great details regarding different kinds of sacrifices (for example Lev 16 - Day of Atonement). These were instituted for removing the sins of the Israelites. When these are viewed through Christ, we see that they are not needed anymore. As the book of Hebrews explains, there is no need for the blood of bulls and goats to be offered anymore. Christ is the once for all sacrifice offered for redemption of sins (Heb 9:11-14). Therefore, those parts of the Law are annulled in the New Covenant because of Christ.

Similarly, the food laws (Lev 20:24-25) are also annulled through Christ (Mark 7:19). 

Intensified

In Matt 5:21-22, Jesus is addressing the 6th commandment to not murder (Exod. 20:13). He explains the command to show what is required in the new covenant. The command did not just intend for God’s people to refrain from murder; rather, it demanded a heart transformation resulting in the condemnation of all kinds of hate. It is not just a lesson in anger management but a pointer to the consummation of the 6th commandment. Therefore, practically, the 6th commandment is intensified to refrain from hate. 

Transformed

In the OT Law, only Levites could be priests. Israelites from other tribes could not become priests and serve in the temple or sanctuary (Exod. 28:1, Num 18:21). However, in 1 Pet 2:5, all Christians are addressed as priests. We see in the new covenant, priesthood is not limited to Levites only, or to Jews only, but it is applied to all Christians, including Gentile Christians because of their union with Christ. There is clearly a change or transformation to this section of the Law. 

The Law hinted at the bigger picture through its specific application. And in Christ, the full realization of the Law can be seen. It is no longer applied in the same way, but it is transformed to its full application. 

Similarly, the Sabbath is not merely a weekly day of rest; rather it is the eternal rest which can only come through a relationship with Christ. It marks the end of all of our works (to be justified) and helps us enjoy true peace with God (Heb 4:9-11, Rom 5:1)

Extended / Maintained

Lev 19:9-10 and 23:22 instructs not to reap the corners or edges of the field during the harvest. Rather these are to be left for the poor and the needy. These commands instruct the Israelites to be concerned for the needs of the poor. When we look at these through Christ, we see that these are extended to Christians. These commands are concerned with love for neighbor, which is an essential part of the new covenant (Luke 14:12-14, 12:33, Gal 2:10, James 2:5). Therefore, these commands are clearly extended to our context. 

We can say the same thing about marriage and gender distinctions; they are extended to the new covenant. 

Conclusion

In this two-part series, we have seen that the OT Law is not applicable to Christians for the sake of righteousness. The OT Law was part of the old covenant but Christians are now in the new covenant. Christ has fulfilled the Law and in Him, the Law has come to an end (Rom 10:4). However, Christians are not called to live lawless lives; rather they are called to uphold the Law. 

We do this by assessing every aspect of the Law through Christ’s fulfillment. Consequently, we find that some commands are annulled, some are intensified, some are transformed and others extended. The Law of Christ manifested through love has superseded the Law of Moses. 

Further Reading:

  1. Jason S. DeRouchie, How to Understand and Apply the Old Testament
  2. Duane A. Garrett, The Problem of the Old Testament
  3. Thomas R. Schreiner, New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ
  4. Stephen J. Wellum and Brent E. Parker, Progressive Covenantalism: Charting a Course between Dispensational and Covenantal Theologies

Does the Old Testament Law Apply to Christians?

The OT Law has puzzled many Christians. Some commands are kept while others are omitted. For example, consider Lev 19:11 – “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.” Christians still consider this as a binding command. However, Christians hardly follow Lev 19:27 – “You shall not round off the side-growth of your heads nor harm the edges of your beard.” We all trim our sideburns and men trim their beards. Also, we do not put to death those who disrespect their parents (Lev 20:9) or those who sleep with another man’s wife (Lev 20:10). So, why this discrepancy and how do we justify this?

There have been various responses to the OT Law from Christians. Some view following the OT Law as legalistic. Others have said that the OT Law only applied to Israelites and is not applicable to Christians. Still others have conveniently edited out portions of the OT, either consciously (look up Marcion) or subconsciously. 

What is more puzzling is that the New Testament appeals to many portions of the OT Law as expected behavior for Christians. The appeal to the Ten Commandments is rather obvious (Matt 5:21, 27; James 2:11, Eph 6:1-2). However, the NT also appeals to other commands in the OT. For example, Jesus appealed to divorce laws in Matt 5:31, laws concerning oaths in Matt 5:33 and laws concerning personal injury in Matt 5:38, 43. Moreover, Paul appealed to animal husbandry laws in 1 Cor 9:9 as authoritative to instruct Christians to support ministry workers.

So, how should we, as Christians, view the OT Law? 

A Classical Protestant Approach

One of the creeds that resulted from the Reformation is the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) in 1647 AD. This Confession is typically used by Presbyterians today as their official statement of faith. Chapter 19 of the Confession deals with the Law of God. In this chapter, the OT Law is divided into three categories: the moral laws, the ceremonial laws, and the judicial (civil) laws. 

The moral laws are typically those associated with the Ten Commandments and those that are purely ethical in nature including prohibitions against murder, theft, adultery, etc. Ceremonial laws are concerned with temple worship including sacrifices, holy days (Day of Atonement, etc.), and other rituals. The judicial or civil laws are given for the political, judicial, and social governing of the Israelite society and the nation as a whole (for eg: cities of refuge in Num 35:9-29). 

According to the WCF, the moral laws are binding on all humans – both Christians and non-Christians. However, the ceremonial and civil laws are not binding on anyone currently. This is due to the fact that the moral laws reflect the character of God and His standards for holiness. The ceremonial laws were given for the purification of sins; however, they are now obsolete because the eternal Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, was sacrificed once and for all time (Heb 9:12, 10:10) and there is no other sacrifice that is needed. Finally, the judicial or civil laws were only applicable for the governing of the Israelites. It is not relevant now since Israel is not a (theocratic) state as it was when the Law was given.

This interpretation seems to handle the OT Law appropriately, and has an attractive appeal to it since it gives a clear distinction between what parts of the Law are applicable and those that are not. Moreover, it also provides what seems like a valid explanation to know how a Christian is to understand and follow the OT Law. However, there are significant drawbacks with this methodology. 

  1. The OT itself does not separate the Law into these categories and the NT does not add these categories to interpret the Law. The Law is considered as a whole and also referred to as a whole (see Joshua 1:8, Ps 1:2, Ps 119, Gal 3:10).
  2. It is not always easy to differentiate between these categories. The Law is so intricately woven together that dividing them is not always a simple task.Incorrect categorizations could make a person ignore parts of the Law that could be applicable.
  3. Not everyone categorizes the Law in the same way. This gives the interpreter full rein to do with a text as the person pleases and make up their own categories. 

Although the approach in the WCF seems appealing, it is not a viable option.

And we are again left trying to figure out if the Law is applicable to Christians. 

The Answer is Always Jesus!

We have to remember that, as Christians, we are now living in the New Covenant and not in the Old Covenant. Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, followed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost inaugurated the new covenant (Luke 22:20, Acts 2:16, 33). And, the author of Hebrews writes that because of the new covenant, the old covenant is obsolete (Heb 8:13). That is, the old covenant has ceased because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. And this was God’s purpose – that the Law would be valid until the seed (Jesus) comes (Gal 3:19).

Jesus fulfilled the Law

However, the end of the Law does not imply that God’s standards were abruptly suspended. No! Rather, the whole Law found its fulfillment in Christ! Jesus is the true Adam (Rom 5:14,19), He is the true seed of Abraham (Gal 3:16), He is the true Israel (Matt 2:15, 4:1-11), the true tabernacle (John 1:14), the true temple (John 2:21), and He is the true Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7). Jesus was the teacher and the mediator of the new covenant just as Moses was the mediator of the old covenant (John 1:17). In this sense, Jesus is the greater prophet that Moses prophesied (Deut. 18:15). Jesus is the fulfillment of the requirements of the Law (Matt 5:17). 

Righteousness Apart From the Law

The Law was never intended to be the means of righteousness. Paul explains in Rom 3:20 that no one will be justified by the works of the Law. In fact, Moses knew that the Israelites would not keep the Law (Deut 31:27-29). And if one breaks even one part of the Law, one is guilty of all of it (James 2:10, also see Gal 3:10). Therefore, the Law only showed what sin was… but could never take it away (Rom 7:7).

And what the law could not do for us, because of our weakness of the flesh, God did. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in Christ’s body, God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us (Rom 8:3-4). 

Therefore, those of us who have put our faith in Christ alone, are released from the Law (Rom 7:6); we are dead to it (Rom 7:4); and we are not under the Law anymore (Gal 5:18). 

PRAISE THE LORD! 


No portion of the OT Law is legally binding on a Christian for the sake of righteousness; that is, we are not judged by the legal demands of the Law. We are set free from the penalty of its condemnation. 

This is great news for every Christian! And for the non-Christian, this is a great call to turn to Jesus today!

What about the Law, then?

The fact that we are not under the Law does not mean we live a lawless life! When faced with a similar question, Paul said, in Rom 3:31, that we, in fact, uphold the Law! Moreover, doesn’t the NT say that all of OT was written for our instruction (2 Tim 3:16-17; Rom 15:4)?

We will consider how then the OT Law applies to Christians in Part 2 (see here).

Further Reading:

  1. Jason S. DeRouchie, How to Understand and Apply the Old Testament
  2. Duane A. Garrett, The Problem of the Old Testament
  3. Thomas R. Schreiner, New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ
  4. Stephen J. Wellum and Brent E. Parker, Progressive Covenantalism: Charting a Course between Dispensational and Covenantal Theologies

Why the Incarnation?

The month of December is the most wonderful time of the year! People everywhere are in festive spirits and make plans to spend time with their families. While many holidays are celebrated all over the world (including Festivus), there is none more popular than Christmas. It is the most recognized Christian holiday, and it is enjoyed and celebrated by many non-Christians as well. 

While people will identify Christmas as the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, there are many other aspects of this holiday that are not thought about. For example, who is this Jesus and why is His birthday so important? Why does the whole world celebrate/remember His birthday? I am not sure if you have pondered these questions but they are definitely worth investigating. 

Christians believe, as the Bible teaches, that Jesus was born miraculously through a virgin. He was called Emmanuel, which means “God with us”. He was/is God (see here), who took on human nature and was born on the earth. But why? What was the reason for Him to become a man? There are two ways this question can be answered – objectively and subjectively.

The Objective need for the Incarnation 

When we approach it from an objective view, we take into consideration the facts of the argument. What was the factual need for the Son of God to be born as a human being? Or what did humans lack that God had to take on human form to accomplish? A very simple, yet profound, answer to this question is that humans lacked fellowship or friendship with God. 

When God made man and woman, he made them in His image. He gave them the ability to be aware of themselves and to be aware of their surroundings. Because of this, they were able to enjoy God and also each other. There were no barriers between God and humans. Nothing prevented humans from living in the manner God had intended and to have perfect fellowship with Him. However, this did not last forever. Humans disobeyed God by eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge, which God had prohibited. And because of man’s disobedience, there was a cosmic shift in creation. 

Humans were now afraid of God and did not want to be in His presence (Gen 3:10). God’s most wonderful creation rebelled against Him and avoided Him. God was still merciful and did not destroy them. However, He knew that His word was violated and that humans lacked the ability to make amends or restore the fellowship. Humanity was now stained with sin, and death made its way into the human race. Every human born was now born with the stain of sin; they sinned more and violated God’s commands easily, and consequently, suffered death. Only God could make a way for humans to enjoy the fellowship that they enjoyed with Him before sin came into the world. This could be done only by destroying sin and its effects, namely death, and that is the exact reason God became a human, in Jesus Christ. 

Jesus restored fellowship with God

Even before His birth, the angel told Joseph in a dream that Jesus would save His people from their sins (Matt 1:21). When Jesus first appeared to the public, John the Baptist said that He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus forgave people their sins during His earthly ministry (Mark 2:5), and said that He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). 

Moreover, He never succumbed to the power of sin. When He was tempted, He did not give in; rather He was victorious over every temptation (Matt 4:1-11). He was tempted in every way that humans are tempted, yet He did not sin (Heb 4:15). He was the Only one whom sin could not overcome and could not conquer. 

But the ultimate freedom from sin was obtained when Jesus took our sins upon Himself and died on the cross. God condemned sin in Jesus’ flesh, and through His death, defeated sin. And through His resurrection, He defeated the power of sin, namely, death. Jesus inaugurated a new era in which humans could have fellowship with God again without any hindrance. What was lost in the garden of Eden through the disobedience of one man – Adam – was gained, and more, through the obedience of one man, Jesus. This was the objective reason for the Incarnation – to restore the fellowship between God and man. 

The Subjective need for the Incarnation

From a subjective standpoint, we are not considered with facts but with feelings and personal perspectives. And in this case, we have to wonder why God felt the need to become human. And this question has only one answer – Love. 

God’s love for humans did not cease when they disobeyed Him. He continued to love them and was also patient with them, enduring the sins they committed against Him. In His love, He established the sanctuary and the temple in the Old Testament. Through the sacrifices offered for sin, God made a way to live with His people. He never abandoned them but loved them (us) with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3). Everything in the  OT was a preparation for the final solution. And His ultimate display of love was seen in the person of Jesus Christ. 

We read in John 3:16, that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Jesus came to this world because of the Father’s love for us. God, by nature, is love and Jesus is the manifestation of God’s love for us (1 John 4:8-9). In Jesus, we can see the true extent of God’s love in that God did not even spare His own Son for us (Rom 8:32). We were God’s enemies because of our rebellion, but God loved us. He demonstrated His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). And Jesus gave Himself on the cross because of the love He had for us (Gal 2:20). Jesus took on the form of a slave and was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Phil 2:7-8) in order that God and humans may be reconciled. God’s love for us is so infinite that nothing in all of creation can separate us from Him (Rom 8:38-39). 

So much more can be said about God’s love for us. Infinite volumes have been written explaining the depths of God’s love but they, together, fail to scratch even the surface of it. We can never comprehend why God loves us but we can be sure that He does. And this love He has for us compelled Him to become human and be born of a virgin. This is the birth we celebrate!

A New Christmas!

Maybe you have celebrated many Christmases and have never wondered why Jesus was born. Or maybe Christmas in the past did not focus on Jesus and His love for us. It might be that Christmas has been about spending time with the family and exchanging gifts. But this year, Christmas could be different when we realize that Jesus was born in this world so that we could have perfect fellowship with God. 

God was reconciling the world to Himself in Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:19) and now extends this reconciliation to all who believe in Jesus and turn from their sin. Jesus came so that we might have life in all its abundance (John 10:10). 

Let’s turn to Jesus, the birthday boy, and call on Him for this abundant life and fellowship with God.

Merry Christmas!