Sundaymail EditorIt is that time of the year again, one of the few dates where the global community comes together and celebrates the birth of the Saviour who came as baby Jesus Christ.
Looking at the different versions of how Jesus Christ was introduced in the four gospels I got different lessons.
One thing that intrigued me in Matthew 1, where the genealogy of Jesus Christ is laid out, was Rahab mother of the famous Boaz who became the husband to Ruth. (Matthew 1:5)
She is within the first 14 generations from Abraham to David yet she was the prostitute we later find in Joshua 2.
It is this prostitute, in Joshua 6:25, who hid the spies sent by Joshua who were being sought by the King of Jericho.
The Bible in Hebrews 11:31 tell us the amazing faith this prostitute displayed in saving the men of God and how she negotiated for a deal to be exempted from attack.
It is that faith that made her be considered righteous (James 2:25) to fit in the 14 first generations that make up the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
As Jesus Christ’s birth is celebrated this Thursday, do not look on your history, your outlook or your surroundings.
You can birth something that will be significant to pushing the Kingdom of God forward. Raise your faith today like Rahab and seek for that which God has purposed for you.
Be confident enough to negotiate with God and argue your case.
Isn’t it that the Bible in Isaiah 43:26 clearly states that you have to argue your case before God?
Just like Rahab, you can negotiate your deal based on the promises that Jesus Christ was given to the world to fulfil.
The Gospel according to Mark in chapter 1 one tells us of John the Baptist who was in the wilderness preparing the way for the Saviour.
Living in the wilderness requires us to be selfless and make a lot of sacrifices for the sake of others’ salvation.
In Mark 1:6 the description of John’s clothing and diet really brings this out.
As Christmas represents “an act of sacrifice and love from God himself” spare a moment for an act of sacrifice to your family, neighbour, the one you hate and your church or nation.
You never know how much the act of sacrifice will impact on the next person. It very well will bring salvation to them.
Looking at John, when he testifies about Jesus in John 1:29-31, he states that “this man surpasses me because he was before me”.
From the start of the year right up into this season we have tried everything that we could to achieve our desires and plans.
Most probably we have tried this through individual effort, but John admitted that Jesus Christ surpassed him in every way.
By giving God his place and acknowledging that Jesus Christ surpasses us can we be able to live according to His purpose.
And perusing through how Luke chronicles the events leading to the birth of Jesus, I loved the personal encounters that people in this book experienced.
The priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth had not had a child for a long time and they were now very old. But they were diligent in the work of the Lord.
After Elizabeth had conceived in Luke 1:25 she celebrated the removal of the “disgrace” which had stuck with her for the years she had lived without a child.
In Luke 1:35 as the angel Gabriel tries to explain the seemingly impossible conception that happened to Mary he states that even Elizabeth will have a child in her old age.
May Christmas remind you that your disgrace has been taken away from you. Like Elizabeth, what you could have thought could no longer be conceived is possible.
As we celebrate Christmas this week, may you glorify the Lord, may your spirit rejoice in God the Saviour, may all generations call you blessed for the great things the Mighty One has or will do for you.
May you realise that His mercy extends to those who fear him from generation to generation.
That He is a God who lifts up the humble and fills the hungry with good things.
May you remember that He is a God who helps his children and remembers to be merciful.
To God be the glory now and forever.
I wish you a blessed Christmas and keep looking out for The Sunday Mail at your place of worship.
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