Jesus came to the earth as a baby in Bethlehem to bring salvation to all who would receive Him. During this Christmas season we reflect on all that happened in that miraculous event. Joy to the world, our Savior has come!
Jesus came to redeem us from the power of sin, Satan, and death. The angel said to Joseph about Mary and the child, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).
He came to free us from the enslavement of disobedience to God. At the point He died on the cross, He “bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
Declaring The Father
Jesus came to reveal God. “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:18). The word “declared” is also translated “made Him known, revealed, and interpreted Him.”
When Philip asked Jesus to show us the Father, He replied, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Jesus was the express image of God the Father (Heb. 1:3).
We now know what God is like by the words and actions of Jesus. He said:
Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me.
(John 14:10-11)
We know God is a God of love because we see love in action in Jesus. The prophets had spoken and the Spirit of God had come on various individuals under the Old Covenant, but Jesus gave us the clear revelation of our Father God.
Our Provider
Before we knew of our need, God made provision for our salvation as He sent His Son. Jesus is the provider of all we need in every realm of our existence. His name is called Emmanuel, which is “God with us” (Matt. 1:23). He is the I AM God—the One who is our total supply.
This aspect of Jesus’ coming will be more important to you with each passing day. No one can meet all your needs except Jesus. Nothing can fulfill you like Jesus. Food and drink and clothing are all important.
Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). The point Jesus made was that the Father knows you need all these things (v. 32). Whatever you have need of, God will provide.
As you reflect, on Jesus during this season, let your heart and mind be filled with joy. He has made provision for all you need. Truly He is the greatest gift of all—the reason for the season.
Daily as you surrender your life to Him you can expect Him to make a way for you. This will be a glorious season and New Year.
We pray all of God’s goodness overflows you.
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Billy Joe Daugherty was founder and pastor of Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was also the founder of Victory Christian School, Victory Bible Institute and Victory World Missions Training Center. Five hundred twenty-three Victory Bible Institutes have been started in eighty-five countries around the world. He inspired individuals and ministries with his life, love and influence for more than 30 years.
