Redemption Baptist Church: Find out who Jesus really is

There are many parts of the Christmas Story that fill us with wonder – the appearance of the angels to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds, the miracle of Christ’s birth, and the journey of the wise men from the east. Yet, one of the saddest and most surprising parts of the story is the level of indifference so many had to what was, to that point, the most significant event in history.

 In Luke’s gospel, we read of how the shepherds, having found the Christ child in the manger just as the angels had described, “made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” (Luke 2:17). However, we find that while all those that heard those things which were told them by the shepherds wondered, none seemed to have either the motivation or the curiosity to find the Christ child for themselves.

In Matthew’s account we read of the surprising and awkward arrival of the wise men to Jerusalem, who rightly expected that the Jewish people would be celebrating the birth of their long-promised Messiah, only to find that they were entirely oblivious to his arrival. Being confronted with their mistake, one would expect that the chief priests would, out of embarrassment, have joined the wise men in searching for their newborn king. Instead, the wise men went alone to find the Christ child showing him the honour that was overdue him.

This indifference shown to Christ’s birth testifies to the truth declared in John 1:10 & 11 – He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” Unfortunately, that same spirit of indifference remains to the present, as so many may hear of the story of Jesus, wondering what it all might mean, yet failing to find out for themselves who Jesus truly is.

Nevertheless, the joyous experience of both the shepherds and the wise men attest to the truth of John 1:12 – “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Those who sought and found the Christ child were forever changed by the encounter; likewise, all those that come to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour through receiving him by faith find forgiveness, redemption and everlasting life.

This Christmas, I encourage you not to make the mistake so many have, then and now, to be so wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of life that you miss out on receiving the greatest gift ever given to mankind. Seek Christ, as the shepherds and the wise men once did, and when you find him for yourself your only regret will be that you did not seek him sooner.

On behalf of all the members of Redemption Baptist Church, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.

Sincerely,
Scott Holloway
Pastor, Redemption Baptist Church