Advent Dec 15: For this Cause He Came

Reading for December 15: Isaiah 53:1-3 & Matthew 2:16-23

Reflection: For This Cause Came I Unto This Hour

Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:27-28
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15

Jesus came to save the wretches of the world (Romans 7:24). He came to rescue those who hated him without cause (John 15:25). When he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not (1 Peter 2:23). As he hung in agony on the cross he cried, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). He who knew no sin, was made to be sin that we might be made the righteousness of God, in him (2 Corinthians 5:21). He came not to do his own will, but to do the will of the One who sent him (John 6:38).

Christ was born into tribulation as the sparks fly upward (Job 5:7). We see Herod acting as Satan's minister ready to kill the newborn King in order to preserve his own kingdom; "and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born" (Revelation 12:4). Yet, the hour of darkness had not fully come. Jesus would be spared Herod's wrath and go on to live until the the devil had a more opportune time. As a man of sorrows and one acquainted with grief, he would be rejected by those of his hometown and misunderstood by his own mother and brothers. The disciples he would spend three years teaching would be found of no comfort in his hour of greatest trial as he prayed with drops of blood as sweat. Betrayed by one of his closest companions, denied by his most ardent friend and supporter, he was ultimately left asking his own Father, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).

Jesus came to save sinners, but this was not so easily accomplished. Salvation for us meant suffering for the Lamb. He entered into our sufferings. In all their affliction he was afflicted (Isaiah 63:9). He wept with the mourners at Lazarus' tomb (John 11:33-36) and over Jerusalem because she did not recognize the time of her visitation (Luke 10:44). And, when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd (Matthew 9:36).

So, why mention all of this sadness in the life of Christ during the Christmas season? Because this is God's love on display. He gave his only begotten Son to be our ransom. This is why we can sing, “Why lies he in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian fear: for sinners here, The silent Word is pleading.” In all of Christ's life, we can see what God is willing to give for those who are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked (Revelation 3:17). Let us pause in the midst of our holiday festivities to wonder at such a love as this.

Precious Jesus
by Sixpence None the Richer

I remember You
precious Jesus, I remember You
Healer of my heart
Lover of my soul

on Your sacred head
a crown of thorns pressed on Your sacred head
mighty King of the universe, merciful Lamb
for my sin You suffered and bled
still Father, forgive them, they don't understand
sweet Savior, I heard what You said

Jesus, Jesus, we remember
Jesus, Jesus, we remember

as we drink from the cup of salvation, Your blood
we remember Your sacrifice
we remember the way that You suffered for us

risen from the grave
Christ immortal risen from the grave
at Jerusalem's gate how You wept for the lost
even as palm branches waved
then You proved how You loved us on Calvary's cross
and rose up on the third day
so all who believe might be saved, yes

and we remember You
precious Jesus, we remember You
Jesus, we love You
precious Jesus, we love You
Jesus, we love You
precious Jesus, we love You
Healer of our hearts
Lover of our souls

John McLawhorn