The Warning alonside the Promise...the Wayfarer

The Warning alongside the Promise

Luke 2:11-14King James Version (KJV)

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

When once again we approach the time of year when we commemorate the coming of a newborn, helpless babe laid in a manger for a bed, wrapped in the crude swaddling delineating the poverty into which that child was born, distractions will abound that have nothing to do with that child, the man he became, or the purpose for that child to exist.

The warm fuzzy feeling that infuses all comes in the personage of the Promise delivered through the birth of that child, as bright decoration adorns the streets and houses on those streets becomes a commercialism aimed at bottom line profit rather than the real bottom line given by that child.

Children will wait in anticipation for the gifts that accompany the celebration of gifts once given by others to that child as the importance of that birth was recognized by men and angels alike without comprehension of that importance, then now and always.

Lowly Shepherds were notified of that birth, Kings were informed of that birth, choices were made in appreciation of that birth, as the gifts given were chosen acknowledging the coming of a new and greater KING, a KING of KINGS that provided what no king had ever or could ever provide those for whom He was brought into this world in such a lowly estate from the Glory already held from eternity to eternity.

Kings also cringed in fear in the knowledge of that birth, comprehending the power held by that seemingly helpless babe, seeking to impede and erase that power by the demand of His death, demanded even as the birth took place.

The world changed with that birth. Mankind was given a final chance for redemption, a final chance to take the place that was intended for us from the creation of that world, a final choice of redemption or damnation, as TRUTH, undeniable TRUTH came into the world with the coming of that precious baby, of the lowly estate of this creature whether mere Shepherd or King.

Acts 2:39 KJV

FOR THE PROMISE IS UNTO YOU, AND TO YOUR CHILDREN, AND TO ALL THAT ARE AFAR OFF, [EVEN] AS MANY AS THE LORD OUR GOD SHALL CALL.

These words of Peter's so many years later, and so many years now past are a reminder of just what that promise entailed.

John 3:16

 ¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

These well known words of that promise were spoken by that babe, grown and addressing Nicodemus in answer to the questions posed by him in the attempt to comprehend that promise, and the means of it's attainment.

Time and again, throughout the ministry and life of that babe that is commemorated at the same time each year, the Promise was repeated, clearly, concisely, conscientiously given, alongside the warning brought by that babe, equally of importance if the promise that was brought was to be accepted by those hearing that promise.

John 3:1-7King James Version (KJV)

3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

² The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

³ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Rebirth of the very soul of man, the only means of the resurrection of that man was and is and shall forever remain the requirement for the attainment of that Promise brought so lovingly by that babe that had to face the trials and tribulations of a fleshly existence, only to be rejected and sacrificed for the very people rejecting the Promise that was given.

John 3:17-19 KJV

¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Choice was clearly offered through the words of that "babe", the same choice made by the kings that heralded his birth in such different manner, and continues to be made in the same manner by all to whom that promise was given through that birth commemorated by so many, yet ignored in the importance that remains held by the decisions and choices made of acceptance or rejection of that promise and its simple terms that accompany it.

It is ALWAYS the time of year to remember that Promise... and the terms of that Promise as well... a time to remember the Warning  that leads to that Promise only when BOTH are heard that came from the lips of the babe that creates the warm fuzzy so desired by all, and came also from the lips of an all powerful KING of Kings whose return will be both in delivery of the Promise made and in Wrath for those who continue to reject that Promise.

That Promise was sealed in the blood of the sacrifice of an innocent, that same innocent babe that brought God's love for man to all willing to accept it.

The Power and the TRUTH of that Promise remain indelibly inscribed on the hearts of those having accepted the resurrection that awaits each, given efficacy and proof through the resurrection and ascension of that "babe" that King of Kings  to the Power and glory held by Him all along despite the lowly estate ascribed to that babe.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

The simple message brought providing that Promise, and the simple commandment...  that proof of acceptance of that promise... have not and shall not change.

Hebrews 13:8

⁸Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Amen and Amen

the Wayfarer