December 23, 2024
by Pastor Chuck SwindollScriptures: Isaiah 53:4–6
YOU'VE SEEN IT. SO HAVE I. The phrase is on bumper stickers, it appears on coffee mugs, it often finds its way onto greeting cards, billboards, and church signs. It has become almost synonymous with Christ.
YOU'VE SEEN IT. SO HAVE I. The phrase is on bumper stickers, it appears on
coffee mugs, it often finds its way onto greeting cards, billboards, and
church signs. It has become almost synonymous with Christ. What is that
expression?
Jesus is the reason for the season.
Catchy, isn't it? Sure makes sense on the surface. In fact, an entire
retail industry has been practically erected around this singular notion.
Works well as a Christmas theme. Don't get me wrong: I'm all for the
emphasis being on Christ and keeping our priorities straight in the press
and rush of Christmas. But something doesn't pass muster biblically.
Here's why. Consider Paul's words:
Though [Jesus] was God, he did not think of equality with God as something
to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble
position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in
human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's
death on a cross.
PHILIPPIANS 2:6–8
Paul's words echo his ancient predecessor's:
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him
down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment
for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our
sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be
healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's path
to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.
ISAIAH 53:4–6
Are you beginning to get the point? Jesus was never the reason for the
season. You were the reason He came. I was the reason He became flesh. We
are the reason for the season. We have a Savior. Christmas isn't about
Him—it's about our need for Him.