Christian history reveals quite a bit of controversy over the actual date of Jesus’ birth, raising the question, why do we celebrate Christmas at all?
Jesus Christ
Why worry?
Just like many of you, I worry about tomorrow. I worry about my future, my kid’s future; there is always something that causes any number of us to worry. But sometimes our worry is unnecessary. Other times it’s out of genuine fear of what might or might not happen. Either way, worrying is an unwelcome burden we take unto ourselves.
As Christians, we shouldn’t worry so much. In fact, we should cut worry out of our lives. Instead, we should pray, and do what Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). The writer of 1 Peter 5:7 said: “Cast all your anxiety on Him (Jesus), because He cares for you.” Also, the Psalmist David said this: “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain thee. He will never let the righteous be move, (Psalm 55:22).
My late grandmother thought me how not to worry about things I cannot control. A long time ago she noticed that I was beside myself. She asked me what was wrong. I told her that I feared I did not do well in my grade nine achievement exams. She looked me in the eyes and said, “Too late! Worry won’t change what you wrote on your exams.” That was good advice, but I do not always use it for my benefit.
Indeed! Worry never made a wrong decision right. It never changed the course of a hurricane, and it never stopped a financial disaster. But it can wreak havoc on one’s health. Why waste precious time worry?
Jesus is our High Priest
Isn’t it a beautiful thing to know that we have a real impartial High Priest in heaven, who is acting on our behalf? He pleads our cases equally, to the Father. And nobody has to worry that He might sell you out.
Jesus is our High Priest and defender, and although sometimes it seems He is not listening; the truth is, He is working hard to declare your case null and void and to redeem you of your trespasses.
So, my friends, though your valleys are deep and wide, and your hills and mountains are steep and rocky hang tight. Rest assured that our High Priest is doing the right thing for everyone.
Come to the alter–Elevation Worship
Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, (Matthew 11:28-29).
How do you deliver on your promise to follow Jesus?
Every person who has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior pledged to follow Him for the rest of life. But many of us soon realize that Jesus doesn’t always take the smooth path to get to His next stop. Sometimes His journey takes Him through winding roads, hills, and valleys, peaks, and mountains. Other times He travels through thorns and thistle.
Thus, following Jesus comes with challenges, but you do not have to be a victim of your circumstances. Jesus never allowed His circumstances to get the better of Him. He carried out His father’s Will despite facing many challenges. And the beauty of it is, Jesus never faltered, or wavered. He kept His promise to the father until the end.
Likewise, you and I can keep our promise to follow Jesus. But first, we have to stay focus on the path His footsteps lead us. We cannot allow ourselves to get trapped with the sideshows. For as you know quite well, Jesus has encountered more that enough sideshows in His time. But He never allowed any of them to distract Him.
For example, in John 8:3-7 He gave us a perfect demonstration of how not get distracted by sideshows. “Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, we found this woman committing adultery. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such offense is punishable by stoning. But what do You say?” They were hoping He would err, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
So, they continue to press Him. Then He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.” That was all it took to silence those who seek to distract Jesus.
Some of us may not be able to do all the great works Jesus did, but we sure can replicate His examples for our benefits.
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