Saturday, December 24: Matthew 26- Why Jesus came.

My thoughts are focused on Christmas… the sights, the sounds, the smells… decorations & carols. Tonight we will celebrate our Christmas Eve service and tomorrow, since it is Sunday, we will hold Christmas morning worship. Christmas, Jesus’ birth, the Incarnation, dominate my thoughts. So it was odd to sit this morning and read about the end of Jesus’ earthly story.

It was odd, but it was also rich, rich because it reminded me why Jesus was born, why He became human. He did so to save you and me and all who believe!

Reading the institution of the Lord’s Supper hit me the hardest. Matthew records, While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom (26-29)."

Jesus gave His body and His blood for me and my salvation. Jesus gave His body and His blood –His life- for you and your salvation. He came to die to pay for the penalty of my sin.

That cute newborn we will remember in worship tonight and tomorrow grew to be a man who had a purpose… to save people by offering His life as a ransom for theirs.

Wow! that makes Christmas even richer

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

 

(Refrain:) Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

 

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.

 

Refrain

 

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.

 

Refrain

 

Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed, Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Now display Thy saving power, Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

 

Refrain

 

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface, Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart.

 

Refrain