“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
What a glorious comfort this verse always is to me. Jesus, the greatest and highest of priests is not some distant figure, but is one who is closer than a friend and able to fully and honestly say “me too” to any struggle we might encounter.
However, the concept of a priest is something my Baptist-raised mind continues to learn about. In the times before Jesus, the priest never sat down. He was constantly interceding and making sacrifices for the people. Truly, his work was never done. For Jesus, he most certainly fulfilled his purpose set forth by God. He worked while on the earth, at one with the Father’s will, and went to the cross for our sins. Hallelujah! BUT then, he rose again, and now, “is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Did you catch that?
Unlike all priests before him, Jesus is now seated. That doesn’t mean his intercession has stopped, for “he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25) However, his task is completed. He was and always will be the ultimate sacrifice for us. And because he is seated, I can rest in what has been done, too.
In the Christmas season, sometimes we all become busybodies in overdrive. Even overseas on mission, the sight of exactly what the birth of Christ means for the world can become blurred. However, Jesus reminds me to rest. The busyness and the stress is not needed, because he is the source of all things good for all who draw near.
With a bit of new focus, I become overwhelmed at the thought of the humility of Jesus. Though “he was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1), and “though he was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:6-7) The Word of God CHOSE to be in the likeness of men. Of you. Of me. And better yet, for you. For me. For all.
Oh, the joy of that! God usually puts a specific Christmas song on my heart each year, and “Joy to the World” has definitely been it this season. The words so beautifully continue to express what I feel and what I know about the goodness of the gift of Jesus.
Joy to the World, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing
Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy
No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as, far as, the curse is found
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders, of His love
Sometimes I wish I could literally just shout these important words to the world around me. There have been moments this year that make me feel discouraged, that make me wonder about the strength of the darkness, that I look around and feel like sins and sorrows definitely grow. However, I’m thankful that with the celebration of the Christ Child comes joy, truth, grace, righteousness, love, and light, and “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) So, I cling to these promises and truths about Jesus, for even in the midst of the very present reality of the darkness this year, we are “afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) Suffering will happen, but the promise of deliverance, even the “light at the end of the tunnel” if you will, is what we keep in mind and in heart always. Thankfully, this promise seems extra close as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and bursting with hope for good things to come.
No matter the heartbreaking surroundings, I pray you’ll celebrate with me today (and every day) and say:
Come, Lord Jesus.
You are welcome here.
We are desperate for Your love.
Though there’s surrounding hate, especially of late,
You call us out to seek above.
Come, Lord Jesus.
You are welcome here.
We are desperate for Your light.
Through Your human birth, we gain our worth,
and all the world’s set right.
Come, Lord Jesus.
You are welcome here.
We are desperate for Your life.
As we look around, hardship does abound,
but Your love still conquers strife.
Oh, Your love still conquers strife.
Merry Christmas!
