[1] After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem [2] and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” ~ Matthew 2:1-2NIV
As the beloved Christmas Carol says, “Long lay the world in sin and error pining until He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth.” For thousands of years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, mankind was lost without hope and without redemption. We lay, as it were, in our sins hoping for and needing a Savior. Then the good news rang out, a Savior, the King of the Jews was born, and immediately wisemen from the east traveled a great distance to worship Him.
He was born to die for all mankind, and because of this, it’s almost impossible to separate the birth from the crucifixion — God’s most prefect and best Sacrifice.
As we learned some interesting history about the Mayan civilization this week while on vacation it got me thinking. See, apparently, they (the Mayans) played a sport that was a combination of soccer and basketball, but with vastly different results. The goal was to get a rubber ball into a hoop without using their hands. This game was played by the entire Mayan civilization.
The winners were sacrificed to their pagan gods, because only the best was offered. Jesus, the Redeemer of the world, came to be that Sacrifice for us — the righteous for the unrighteous, the holy for the unholy. There is no better sacrifice. And that is what Christmas is really about, the good news, that the dearest and best Sacrifice has come and because of Jesus, mankind will live forever, at least those who have accepted Jesus’ sacrifice in the cross. So, as we enjoy our Christmas cement, let us never forget that the dearest and the best has come and now we can have everlasting life in Him, because there is no better sacrifice.
Father in heaven, we adore You, LORD Jesus, we lift Your Name in all the earth. We will sing of all You’ve done, and tell of all Your wondrous works, in Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.