December 8th 2024
Remember, We Should Be Celebrating The Presence Not The Presents!
John 10:14-16 (NIV)
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
From the selected verses a key part of Jesus’ statement is very important to many of us reading this is the part “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen.” At that time in history when Jesus still walked this earth all the people who were not Hebrews were referred to a Gentiles so, most of us reading this would have been known to Jesus as Gentiles. Then Jesus says about the Gentiles, “I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” Thus, Jesus is now including you (us) as those whom God is now promising to include in the gift of salvation, based on the perfect sacrifice Jesus will later suffer for us all.
The most amazing event in the history of this universe was when God sent His Son into this cursed world to offer the perfect sacrifice required to offer the free gift of salvation. The writer of Hebrews wrote about this miracle virgin birth. In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1-2). God now only speaks to humankind through His Son AKA Jesus Christ. Since Jesus is the Creator no one else could be capable to offer salvation, and also offer His control of the functions needed to maintain our universe.
Jesus is the Messiah of the Hebrews and the Son of Man who brought salvation to those who believe He is the Son of God. When Jesus came into this world everything related to salvation changed. No longer would offering a perfect animal sacrifice offer that person or family salvation when they died in this cursed world. From now on salvation is only available through becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. Salvation is now only available to those have chosen to become knowledgeable of Jesus Christ and have chosen to become His followers!
John wrote about what he was taught by Jesus and how he witnessed the miraculous things Jesus did as he followed Him. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-2, 14).
John starts at “In The Beginning” and shows that Jesus was there when He created everything! And then, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John then tells us who this Jesus who walked this earth as the Son of Man truly was for, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” So, we are now in the season of Advent where we are getting ready to celebrate again Jesus’ birth into this cursed world as the Savior of the world.
Jesus told a parable about the prodigal son who was leading a sinful life, and had spent all the money he had, then he decided to return home and to ask his father to forgive him and he hoped his father would just give him a job as a hired hand. Then he would have food to eat and a place to stay. However, his father saw him coming and recognized him as his lost son. And he did not know that his son was still alive. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:24). This is how we come to Jesus Christ, as we are born into this cursed world destined to go to hell when we die, BUT if we come to believe Jesus Christ is our Savior, our immortal soul is redirected away from hell, and sent instead to heaven.
If we become followers of Jesus Christ, we will live in this world protected from the darkness and put into the light glowing from Jesus. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). One of those promises from Jesus that makes life much improved without sometimes acknowledging it to be real. There is much darkness in this cursed world that is being run by human beings, most of which are non-believers! Add to that God has cast Satan into this world to offer temptation to those prone to sinning, which CAN include true believers too!
Jesus has told us that this light from Jesus is given to believers, and it shows from them to non-believers, and it could be a positive thing if we do not hinder it. Jesus said about this light we have as His followers. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16). Especially during this Advent season be aware of the light you have been blessed with by Jesus, let it shine!
Let us close this commentary with a warning written by Peter about the future of this cursed universe. This cursed world will eventually be destroyed as described below, but do not worry as a new world AKA heaven is being created for all believer in Jesus Christ. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. (2 Peter 3:10-12a).
Peter assures us that as believers we need not worry about this event, as we will be spared from it as we will not still be on the earth when this occurs. But Peter does recommend how we should live knowing about this event in advance. As he wrote, “You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” Yes, I know this is the season we are celebrating Jesus’ birth into this cursed world, but having information from God’s Word about the future can help to not be naughty but instead we can be on the nice list!
Remember, we should be celebrating the presence not the presents! Jesus is the real reason for the season!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
John 10:14-16 (NIV)
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
From the selected verses a key part of Jesus’ statement is very important to many of us reading this is the part “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen.” At that time in history when Jesus still walked this earth all the people who were not Hebrews were referred to a Gentiles so, most of us reading this would have been known to Jesus as Gentiles. Then Jesus says about the Gentiles, “I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” Thus, Jesus is now including you (us) as those whom God is now promising to include in the gift of salvation, based on the perfect sacrifice Jesus will later suffer for us all.
The most amazing event in the history of this universe was when God sent His Son into this cursed world to offer the perfect sacrifice required to offer the free gift of salvation. The writer of Hebrews wrote about this miracle virgin birth. In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1-2). God now only speaks to humankind through His Son AKA Jesus Christ. Since Jesus is the Creator no one else could be capable to offer salvation, and also offer His control of the functions needed to maintain our universe.
Jesus is the Messiah of the Hebrews and the Son of Man who brought salvation to those who believe He is the Son of God. When Jesus came into this world everything related to salvation changed. No longer would offering a perfect animal sacrifice offer that person or family salvation when they died in this cursed world. From now on salvation is only available through becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. Salvation is now only available to those have chosen to become knowledgeable of Jesus Christ and have chosen to become His followers!
John wrote about what he was taught by Jesus and how he witnessed the miraculous things Jesus did as he followed Him. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-2, 14).
John starts at “In The Beginning” and shows that Jesus was there when He created everything! And then, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John then tells us who this Jesus who walked this earth as the Son of Man truly was for, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” So, we are now in the season of Advent where we are getting ready to celebrate again Jesus’ birth into this cursed world as the Savior of the world.
Jesus told a parable about the prodigal son who was leading a sinful life, and had spent all the money he had, then he decided to return home and to ask his father to forgive him and he hoped his father would just give him a job as a hired hand. Then he would have food to eat and a place to stay. However, his father saw him coming and recognized him as his lost son. And he did not know that his son was still alive. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:24). This is how we come to Jesus Christ, as we are born into this cursed world destined to go to hell when we die, BUT if we come to believe Jesus Christ is our Savior, our immortal soul is redirected away from hell, and sent instead to heaven.
If we become followers of Jesus Christ, we will live in this world protected from the darkness and put into the light glowing from Jesus. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). One of those promises from Jesus that makes life much improved without sometimes acknowledging it to be real. There is much darkness in this cursed world that is being run by human beings, most of which are non-believers! Add to that God has cast Satan into this world to offer temptation to those prone to sinning, which CAN include true believers too!
Jesus has told us that this light from Jesus is given to believers, and it shows from them to non-believers, and it could be a positive thing if we do not hinder it. Jesus said about this light we have as His followers. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16). Especially during this Advent season be aware of the light you have been blessed with by Jesus, let it shine!
Let us close this commentary with a warning written by Peter about the future of this cursed universe. This cursed world will eventually be destroyed as described below, but do not worry as a new world AKA heaven is being created for all believer in Jesus Christ. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. (2 Peter 3:10-12a).
Peter assures us that as believers we need not worry about this event, as we will be spared from it as we will not still be on the earth when this occurs. But Peter does recommend how we should live knowing about this event in advance. As he wrote, “You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” Yes, I know this is the season we are celebrating Jesus’ birth into this cursed world, but having information from God’s Word about the future can help to not be naughty but instead we can be on the nice list!
Remember, we should be celebrating the presence not the presents! Jesus is the real reason for the season!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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