By Jeremy Bell
Psalms patterned and color coded can be found in my book, Psalms in Motif Visualization. During December, I take a break from the Psalms to focus on the birth of Jesus, the reason for Christmas. Jesus the savior, not just from death, but from separation from God forever. God is love and provides anything and everything good whether we recognize it or not. The day is coming when we will either be separated for all eternity from anything good and all love, or we will be found in Christ, Jesus, God’s one and only son and unite with love and everything good for eternity.
Christmas is on the way. For much of the developed world, this is a time of anxiety and materialism. It is also a time to focus on loved ones. But Christmas in fact is a Christian Holiday that celebrates the love of The Creator God for His people. This love realized through the human birth of a human without sin, Jesus. I take a pause from my routine to remember this love story and I hope it gives you a moment to pause to consider the meaning of this Holiday as well.
Episode 5, Jesus, Good News and Resurrection (Part 5 of my 6 part 2022 Christmas series)
Adam and Eve were made a promise by God. They would have offspring that would be fruitful and one specific offspring that would put an end the deceiver. God renewed life on earth and delivered Noah. He expanded His covenant through Abraham to a people that would be born through him, through Jacob who became Israel by the will of God. God delivered the Israelites through Moses, and made them holy and declared them His. When they rebelled and committed evil, He judged them and dispersed them. He also gave them hope through the prophets.
This hope was expanded to the nations, in line with what He told Moses. This hope was more specific and pointed to he servant, the son, God was going to give to the world. This was the offspring He told Adam and Eve about. THE King, THE offspring, was to come from David and would be THE King to rule the nations. He would also be despised, marred, and would take the punishment for iniquity even when no iniquity was found in Him. This would cause Him to live forever, conquering death, and be the very reason He would be salvation to the nations. As surely as there is one God, as surely as God alone is salvation, as surely as God lives, God’s son would be God, who alone delivers from death; who alone is salvation.
Prophecy to Fulfillment
For as God has sworn that the waters of Noah will no more go over the earth, so He has sworn that He will not be angry with His people, nor rebuke them. He says, ‘Turn your ear, and come, hear, and your soul will live.’ Unto us a child is born, a son is given. He grew up as a tender plant, He had no good looks or majesty. When people saw him, there was no beauty that any should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, pierced for men’s transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. God laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Because His soul was an offering for sin, he sees His offspring; His days have been prolonged. Jesus bore the sins of many and made intercession for transgressors.
If Christ has not been raised, then Christian preaching is in vain, and our faith also is in vain. If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all people most pitiable. Christmas is a time of joy in celebrating the birth of Jesus because of His death and resurrection. Before I consider the wonderful birth, I will take time to reflect on the why. I will be reading selections from John, Luke, Matthew, and 1 Corinthians. Specific references are found on my blog, NatureofJoy.com.
[ John 1 ]
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. 6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. 9 The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. 12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
AMEN
John is, of course, speaking of Jesus entering the creation that was created by Him, through Him, and is upheld by Him. Jesus was born and Luke picks up the story with Jesus and his family.
[ Luke 2 ]
42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, 43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.” 49 He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
[ John 3 ]
3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 The same came to him by night, and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Don’t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ 8 The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus answered him, “How can these things be?”
Jesus Answers
10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things? 11 Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, and you don’t receive our witness. 12 If I told you earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven. 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18 He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”
AMEN
Jesus continues His ministry, He is loved and hated. He is healing and forgiving people. This causes some to follow Him and others to desire His death for blasphemy. Indeed, most of what Jesus did in His ministry would be blasphemous if not true. A certain belief had to exist that He was who He claimed to be, that He was in fact God incarnate, come to heal, forgive, and save before the final judgement. The friend of Jesus conspired with the people who could kill Him, and He was taken to the torture of the cross. He is dying. It is just before the beginning of the Sabbath, a Friday that would last all day on Saturday. Now, hear what happens regarding His death. Jesus is on the cross, and cries out in His last moments.
[ Matthew 27 ]
50 Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. 51 Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now the centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were done, were terrified, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” 55 Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
[ Matthew 28 ]
Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky and came and rolled away the stone from the door and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men. 5 The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.
6 He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying. 7 Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” 8 They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. 9 As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.”
AMEN
Paul does a great job of summing up the following events. Here’s what he writes.
[ 1 Corinthians 15 ]
1 Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was given to me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Whether then it is I or they, so we preach, and so you believed. 12 Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. 14 If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain.
It Gets Even Worse
15 Yes, we are also found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised. 17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. 18 Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruit of those who are asleep. 21 For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man.
22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ’s, at his coming. 24 Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father, when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For, “He put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when he says, “All things are put in subjection”, it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him.
28 When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all. 29 Or else what will they do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead aren’t raised at all, why then are they baptized for the dead? 30 Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If I fought with animals at Ephesus for human purposes, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, then “let’s eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.”
Obviously, People Will be Resurrected
34 Wake up righteously, and don’t sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised?” and, “With what kind of body do they come?” 36 You foolish one, that which you yourself sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 That which you sow, you don’t sow the body that will be, but a bare grain, maybe of wheat, or of some other kind. 38 But God gives it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.
40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown perishable; it is raised imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.
Two Adams
45 So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However that which is spiritual isn’t first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 As we have borne the image of those made of dust, let’s also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood can’t inherit God’s Kingdom; neither does the perishable inherit imperishable.
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable body must become imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable body will have become imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Death, where is your sting?
Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
AMEN
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, THE Christ, THE King of kings, THE offspring. This is who God was talking about with Adam and Eve. Jesus was bruised, but He will destroy the deceiver, the serpent. Many offspring were promised to Adam and Abraham, but Jesus is the specific one to accomplish all that is necessary for God’s plan to magnify His glory through His people throughout all His good creation.
Jesus is the one that will save Israel. Jesus is the one that will save the world through Him. This is how the nations get involved! This is only because Jesus proved to be who He claimed to be by His resurrection, perfect fulfillment of scripture, His ascension to the throne of God, and the perfect way He will be able to fulfill the rest of scripture about Him. As surely as there is one God, as surely as God alone is salvation, as surely as God lives, God’s son would be God, who alone delivers from death, who alone is salvation.
There is Time
It is human nature to know sickness, to know sin, to know injustice. It is human nature to separate from good and long to be reunited to it. God allows this so that rather than instant judgement and separation from Him forever, there would be time to respond to His offer of reconciliation, made possible, and with all logic and reason, through His son, Jesus. This offer births a new nature in humans. It is the nature of wholeness, forgiveness, and the Nature of Joy.
Resources and Notes
All scripture in this article is from the WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE (WEB). The World English Bible (WEB) is a Public Domain (no copyright) Modern English translation of the Holy Bible. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version of the Holy Bible first published in 1901, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament.
For more related to this blog, check out my post on Practical Steps to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
This is a reliable translation, but it is always good to read other translations as well. Biblegateway.com has a multitude of translations to read from. It is a great resource.
Another great resource is Biblehub.com. There are multiple translations, commentaries, and so much more. Great research can be done on this platform.
One more I use regularly is Gotquestions.org. This is a great site to answer questions and find threads of related questions.
There are many resources. The key is that God wants relationship directly with you, the individual. His primary source for revealing who He is and growing in intimacy is His word, the scriptures. Don’t just read for instruction. Analyze and read for understanding. Explore, ask questions, and be transformed in Jesus every moment you possibly can. There is no dispute this is a key desire of God. People are brough to the Father, in the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit. This… This is the Nature of Joy.
Jeremy is an author, musician, and business intelligence manager. His mission is to equip and encourage those in Christ, to equip and encourage others in Christ. Jesus, Christ, is the Nature of Joy and melody of the heart. Jeremy unites business analytics (business intelligence), songs, and Scripture for Christian living in the power of the Holy Spirit.