No Longer in a Manger

One can hardly think of a manger without thinking of the baby Jesus and how we celebrate His birth at Christmas every year. Babies are so innocent, unassuming and nonthreatening and therefore, many times, we see Jesus as meek and mild and He is. But, that is not all He is. Let’s face it singing about babies and angels certainly makes for a much sweeter Christmas program. But, it is foolish to glance back without looking ahead and embracing God’s complete plan.

I do not disagree with remembering Jesus as He was at His birth. But, I wonder if we have forgotten that He is no longer in that manger. He has matured and grown in God’s service to fulfill the purpose for which He was born. He is no longer that sweet innocent cuddly baby. He is, however, absolutely and forever the Son of God but He is no longer a baby. He is a man, the God Man.

God’s great love for us was manifested when Christ came to Earth as an infant. But, focusing on only one aspect of God in a perpetual way could cause us to easily overlook the other qualities of God, namely His wrath. Let us not only praise God for the birth of Jesus but praise Him for the plan that will come to full fruition at His return. No one wants to talk about the negative. But, Christ is coming again. If we haven’t prepared we will not be ready.

Jesus went on to conquer death for you and I. He now sits in the throne room of God and reigns on high as our High Priest and King above all Kings. When He returns to Earth He will engage in warfare. He will do battle with the enemies of God and He will win. Christ, in power and majesty, will execute judgment upon an unrepentant people. Let us not be one of those!

My question to you is have you settled into Jesus the baby to the point that you have overlooked Jesus the ruler; therefore, failing to prepare for His ultimate, magnificent return. Have you bought into the lie that sweet innocent Jesus would send no one to hell and everyone is safe because of God’s great love?

Please join Jesus in spiritual warfare by kneeling on behalf of an unrepentant nation. The signs of His return are everywhere. Pick up your sword,the Bible, and know it well enough to use it wisely.

Who do you know that needs God’s grace and gift of forgiveness. Let us do all that is within in us to share God’s love while praying that we could see one more person escape His wrath.

Jesus was born for a purpose and we can be assured he will execute the will of God to the fullest including judging the world. Don’t be fooled by the unassuming baby. He’s no longer in the manger. Praise God He reigns!

“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

Acts 17 30-31 NKJV