From Swaddling Clothes To Grave Clothes

Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

                                                    

Today, when we consider swaddling clothes, we often think of something similar to a baby blanket. But what does the word "swaddling" mean? Consider the definition given in Webster's 1828 dictionary - SWAD'DLE - to bind, as with a bandage; to bind tight with clothes; used generally of infants; as, to swaddle a child. The question I now ask you is this: What was so prophetic then about the swaddling clothes?

                                      

These types of clothes were often used in bandaging the wounded and wrapping the dead.  So, Jesus left heaven and when he took on the flesh of man, was immediately wrapped in these bandages. And what was the last thing He had on before He rose from the grave – bandages.

                                                    

 Luke 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass

So, when Mary and Joseph bound baby Jesus tightly in the swaddling clothes, it was God’s way of pointing to the future and showing that He was coming the first time as the Suffering Saviour, the Ultimate and Final Sacrifice for Sins. It shows that He was sentenced to die for man ever before He was born.  Remember – He had no bandages on before He came, nor after He left because the Sacrifice was complete!

                           

He was given swaddling clothes…grave clothes…a death sentence…to start His earthly ministry – but He left death at the grave because He was the Ultimate conqueror of death, hell, and the grave! Those grave clothes represent our sin – and they were left dead in the grave - Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So, when you see a manger scene this Christmas season, remember that God Incarnate was born with a death sentence, as exhibited by the swaddling clothes that wrapped His body tight.

Why We Have Lost The Joy of Christmas

Luke 2:10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

WHY WE HAVE LOST THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS

1. Money Has Taken Over The Holiday
2. Myths Have Taken Over The Holiday - Christmas should be about:
1. Christ, and not a Character
2. Calvary's Tree, and not a Christmas Tree
3. Christ's Empty Grave, not a Christian's Earthly Gifts.
3. Men Have Taken Over The Holiday
1. They have changed it - new name, music, etc.
2. They have conformed it - worldliness
3. They have criticized it - argue the date of birth, claim pagan origins, etc.

Multiply the Impossible

Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

Most of my readers are familiar with the first couple of chapters of the Gospel According to Luke in relation to Christmas. As I was re-reading these chapters for upcoming messages this Christmas season, something new stood out to me this time. Now, we all realize there is nothing new in Bible; but as we like to say when we buy a used car, "It may not be new, but its new to me!"

Something that I never considered before was the timing of what Gabriel tells Mary about her cousin Elisabeth. I began to imagine what was going through Elisabeth's mind the past six months, and what is now going through Mary's mind as she contemplates all that Gabriel tells her. It must be reassuring for each of them to know that they are not the only one in this boat of impossibility. 

I began to think how sometimes when we see God bless us and do something impossible in not only us, but others around us, our attitude begins to change. If we are not the only one who God is blessing at this time, then we silently get upset. This reveals the true nature of our heart - we are selfish and prideful. Our desire should be to have God bless us in a way that will give Him, and not us, the glory - and that His blessings of making possible the impossible will be poured out on others. 

Our prayer should be that God will multiply the impossible in our life and the lives of those around us this Christmas season.

Waiting For The Snow

Psalm 130:6  My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. 

This morning our girls woke up and their excitement bubbled over as they peered out of our large front window in the living room. Why, you ask? BECAUSE IT'S SNOWING!!! Darci and I are not so excited. What is the difference? I believe one of the differences is in what you are anticipating.

My daughters are looking forward to playing in the snow, building snowmen, and tobogganing down the large hills (BTW, to my southernly-challenged friends, a toboggan is NOT the warm hat you wear during the winter. The picture above explains what a toboggan is.). 

On the other hand, when the wife and I see snow, we see harsh driving conditions, high gas bills to keep our home warm, and hours and hours of shoveling and de-icing. 

You see, the difference is in the anticipation. As we begin the season that is set aside to celebrate the first coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ, are we waiting with anticipation for his Second Coming? Is our heart full of love and anticipation for that glad reunion day? That day should be looked toward with joy and anticipation, and not dread fear.

When you begin to think about all those things you are anticipating this Christmas season, is the Lord's return one of them?

Why Hide?

Jeremiah 23:23-24  Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?  (24)  Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

As I decided to read a little more in my Chronological Bible this morning, I came across the 23rd chapter of Jeremiah and spent some time contemplating the many great truths for us today (So much so, that I may preach through this chapter sometime soon!). I wanted to share with my readers these two verses, mainly because they parallel what we have been studying in Sunday School.

There once was a couple who thought they no longer needed God. Now, I am sure they did not think that way outwardly, or ever even verbalized it, but that was the case inwardly. They had wonderful fellowship with God, the likes of which no one ever had before. God had richly blessed them with an abundance of provision and love and only had one restriction. 

Yet, soon after there comes along someone who begins to get them to doubt that God's way was the only way. Soon thereafter they make the choice to make their own decisions on what is right and what is wrong and wilfully disobey God. Quickly they fall under conviction and begin to try to formulate their own means of reconciliation by a covering of fig leaves. But this covering was not enough, and when they hear the LORD God walking in the garden towards them, they hide in the trees of the garden.

I am sure that most of my readers by now realize that I am speaking about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The amazing thing is that some 6,000+ years later man is still trying to hide their sin from God. First, a small covering of fig leaves. And when that does not work, we go for a forest of cover -- but are still naked to God in our sin and shame.

Let each of remember that there is no place we may hide from the presence of God and no way for us to fool Him with our feeble works of righteousness. Wherever you may be at in your fellowship/relationship with God, realize this: God sees you where you are and loves you in spite of it. Do not let your past failures and mistakes keep you from having the fellowship/relationship that your Heavenly Father wants with you. Realize about yourself what God already knows: you are a sinner saved by His wondrous grace. Then, repent of that sin and return to Him. 

His love is greater than our sin, and His Grace reaches down further to bring us out of the miry clay.

Two Ways Before All Of Us

Jeremiah 21:8-9  And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.  (9)  He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.

The prophet Jeremiah is giving a Divine Warning to the King of Jerusalem and his people. They have two choices before them: one leads to life, and the other leads to death. But there is no standing still, there is no wavering. Choose, and choose quickly, the path that you will take.

In a very real way, the same choice is before us today in regards to salvation: chose to stay in the city (sin) and die an everlasting death of separation and punishment in Hell and the Lake of Fire. Or, leave the city (sin) and fall on the Lord for his mercy and grace. The Lord has given the warning and the choice is yours to make.

Book Review: Living Life In The Zone: A 40-Day Spiritual Plan For Men

Upon receiving the book, Living Life In The Zone: A 40-Day Spiritual Plan For Men by Kyle Rote Jr and Dr. Joe Pettigrrew, I must admit I was a little excited. I have been reevaluating my methods and manners in my own personal daily devotions and was looking for something more devotional to use as a basis. Add in to that my love for sports (as you can see by the decor in my office), this book had the beginnings of something very useful and good.

But as I began to read through this daily, I found myself a little let down. It was heavily centered on man and not nearly enough focus on God for my taste. And maybe that is just the byproduct of combining sports with spiritual growth. It seemed to me as if this book was trying to reach the new/young Christian man who needs lots of milk and not quite ready for meat because most of the entries were very basic with lots of examples and illustrations. Which is fine, but the problem I saw with it is that it was so long on stories, and so little on Scriptures. Each daily entry was somewhat long, so this could not and should not be considered if you are looking for a short, daily devotional book to get your day started.

Over all, I would not discourage you from reading this book, but I just don't think you should get your hopes up about it.


This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson.