HisGrace.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

God intrudes

Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

During the Christmas season, it's good to keep a firm grip on the reality of Easter. While the two events are celbrated at different times and in very different ways, they are both integral parts of God's initiative in His grand plan of salvation.

Peter Larson wrote: 'Despite our efforts to keep Him out, God intrudes. The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: a virgin's womb and an empty tomb. Jesus entered our world through a door marked 'No Entrance' and left through a door marked 'No Exit.'

James Edwards echoes this theme in his book The Divine Intruder: 'God breaks into this world, even when He is unexpected and unwelcome. God joins us in our weakest and worst moments. There is a Divine Intruder among us.'

The stable in Bethlehem and the cross of Calvary remind us that 'when the time had fully come, God sent His Son . . . to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons'.

The Lord did not wait for an invitation to enter the world. Clothed with humanity, He lived as our teacher, died as our sacrifice, and rose from the grave as our Saviour. Christmas is here - and so is Easter.

- David McCasland

This joyous season of the year
Should prompt us to recall
That Jesus' death on Calvary
Provides new life for all.

Jesus' earthly life is framed by two impossibilities: a virgin's womb and an empty tomb.

Galatians 3:26-4:7

Sons and Heirs

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 4

1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,

2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.

3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.

4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

9:00 AM