The Savior’s Silent Night Was Really the Great Invasion.

We’re one week away from the Day when we, as Students of the Master, will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our King.  Scripture reads like this.  “And the angel said to them [‘to’ the shepherds in the field], ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you Good News of great joy which will be for all the people.  For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” {Lk. 2:10-11}.  This sentence in the original contains three gorgeous Greek words which define for us the Mission and Ministry of the Messiah: Soter = ‘Savior,’ Christos = ‘Anointed One, Messiah’ {showing Jesus as fully man}, and Kurios = ‘Sovereign Lord’ and ‘Master’ {showing Jesus as entirely God}, all wrapped up in one.  He is the Savior of Man and Anointed One of God, the long-awaited Messiah of Israel; He also happens to be very God of very God— undeniable Deity and sinless humanity welded as One forevermore.  What incredible news this is: wonderful, soul-saving, kingdom-crushing News to the nations of this Earth.

But there is another side to the Story.  The Birth of Christ was much more than a picturesque event witnessed and watched by a motley assortment of Temple animals, faithful shepherds, and kings from afar.  I think you know this much already.  What you may not know is what unfolded according to Revelation 12:1-2, 4-5, and 7: this was the moment of the Great Invasion, of Eternity into Time, of Creator into the realm of Creation, our God choosing to take upon Himself the mantle of human weakness {a body} and defeat Satan on his own turf.  The angels in appearance this night were the angelic Armies passing in review as their King, Creator, and Commander lay crying in the fodder {Lk. 2:13-14}.  It was as Christian author Phillip Yancey has said, “a daring raid by the Ruler of the forces of good into the Universe’s seat of evil.”  This is no ‘silent night’ for the enemies of God; this is D-Day times infinite.

The apostle John told us, “the Son of God appeared for this purpose [this sole and solitary ‘purpose’]: to destroy the works of the devil” {1 Jn. 3:8b}.  I.e., to do Battle for those He loved {4:19}.  And, my oh my, how He loves us.  Scripture tells us He came to battle for the hearts of men {Isa. 61:1} and to offer us the Gift of Life— both eternal and abundant {1 Jn. 3:1-2}.

My prayer, as the shepherd of a flock I deeply love, is that this perspective be ever present in our minds as we live out our days in a World long at War.  One half of life is the physical, the temporal, and the transient; the other half, which the Word enjoins us to accept as the real half, the weighty half, the most crucial component of reality, is the spiritual, the Eternal, the everlasting.  We must choose to live every moment with one foot in each, simultaneously in both the temporal and the Eternal, with the latter dominating the former.  And we must rivet the eyes of our hearts on the Lord Jesus Christ.  For the Mission He came to accomplish, my friends and fellow-soldiers, is a done deal: “It is finished” forevermore! {Jn. 19:10}.  The Battle has been won and the Ultimate Victory {the Cross, Resurrection, and Ascension} already achieved.  Don’t forget this; don’t ever forget this.  We are what He is— Victorious!  If you will choose to ‘wage war’ from that position, neither you nor your life will ever be the same.

May the blessing of His grace, the peace of His presence, and the power of His Life rest upon you, your family, and your ministry to a fallen world full of broken people.  The year which lies before us is filled with promise and with hope for those who live in the Light of Jesus’ Love.  May we embrace it, and all its opportunity, like we embrace our Lord: with the passion and hunger of a long-awaited lover.  Amen and amen.

HJC	Ric Webb  |  Shepherd Heart’s Journey Community 9621 Tall Timber Blvd. |  Little Rock, AR 72204 t +1.501.455.0296
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Heart’s Journey – Live Generously and Love Graciously