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Receive the Gift of Jesus – December 22, 2019 – Steve Miller

Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

How should you receive a son?

• Michael and Lydia received a son last month. I’m sure he’s been the catalyst of great changes in their lives and family lifestyle.
• We’ve received our two sons back from college this past week. Their visit has altered our activities and shifted our priorities so that we may spend quality and quantity of time with them while they are with us.

But the Son mentioned in Isaiah is one different and greater than all others, and a gift far more precious to all of us. He is Christ, the King of the whole universe, who has come to bring us salvation!

Isaiah 9:1-7

Let’s talk about this Child who was born, this Son who has been given to the world.

• He will deliver those who were in distress from our gloom. Why had God humbled Zebulun and Naphtali in the past? Because of Israel’s sin, they were the first tribes conquered by the Assyrians in 700 B.C., because of their rebellious breaking of their covenant with God. But then they are the first places (Galilee) where Jesus brought His ministry of restoration of covenant.
• He shattered the yoke that burdens us, as in the day of Midian’s defeat. This was the story of Gideon in the book of Judges.
• He will reign on David’s throne and rule His kingdom forever, and of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end.
• The zeal of the Lord will accomplish this. God really, really desires to deliver His people and establish His perfect kingdom with us forever!

Psalm 2 speaks of how people ought to receive this Son, the Christ.

Psalm 2:1-12

This psalm gives the picture of people rebelling against the God, Father, and King who made them, taking secure membership in His family and kingdom to be shackles of oppression.

• He laughs at the arrogance of their foolish rebellion. How and why should men rebel against their Creator who loves us and has the best in mind for us?
• This is a prophecy about Christ, whose kingdom began with His death and resurrection on Mount Zion, in Jerusalem.
• The inheritance Jesus received is the nations, we people whom He redeemed with His blood.
• We are warned for our own good to “kiss the son,” or submit to His rule in our lives with godly fear. In this we rejoice and celebrate, for we are blessed to belong to such a good Lord.

Matthew Henry Commentary: 2:10-12 To welcome Jesus Christ, and to submit to him, is our wisdom and interest. Let him be very dear and precious; love him above all, love him in sincerity, love him much, as she did, to whom much was forgiven, and, in token of it, kissed his feet, Lu 7:38. And with a kiss of loyalty take this yoke upon you, and give up yourselves to be governed by his laws, disposed of by his providence, and entirely devoted to his cause. Unbelief is a sin against the remedy. It will be utter destruction to yourselves; lest ye perish in the way of your sins, and from the way of your vain hopes; lest your way perish, lest you prove to have missed the way of happiness. Christ is the way; take heed lest ye be cut off from Him as your way to God.

We have an example of how kings ought to receive God’s gift of His Son, the King of Kings.

Matthew 2:9-11 – 9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

• Firstly, they stopped what they were doing and made a great journey to come to Him.
• They were overjoyed at the prospect of His coming.
• Finding Him, they bowed down and worshiped Him.
• Finally, they paid tribute to Him with treasures.

We live in a time and generation with a high amount of selfishness and distraction. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, there was no room for Him in the inn. Think of what we declare when we sing the carol “Joy to the World.” Are our hearts preparing Him room? Are we receiving our King better than the town of Bethlehem did that night, or do we go about our daily business oblivious to Him?

Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And heaven and nature sing!

There were some who did receive Jesus that night, though. They were doing the job they’d been given to do – keeping watch.

Luke 2:8-11

These shepherds, while waiting for the Messiah like everyone else, were doing their job, and God made sure they didn’t miss out on the event. Like them, we are waiting for Jesus to come. Like the shepherds and the magi, we will see a shining event in the sky. Like them, we must keep watch and not become distracted or fall asleep.

Mark 13:32-36

What task has the Master given you to do while you await His coming? Are you doing it? Are you keeping watch over your flocks by night? Who are the people He has given us to minister to? If we keep watch over the people and work He’s given us, we will see Him when He comes and know when He is moving.

As we celebrate Christmas, have you received the gift from God, the gift of salvation, the gift of life, the gift of health, the gift of His Spirit? Let’s learn from the examples we see in Scripture, and receive the Royal Son with holy fear and with joy, for He is everything could want or need.

John 16:24 – Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.