Thanks for posting. Merry Christmas all.
Posted on 12/24/2010 6:36:27 PM PST by Alex Murphy
Take a moment to consider this short excerpt from Francis Schaeffer's sermon, "What Difference Has Looking Made?" The sermon is an extended reflection on the experience of the shepherds to whom the angels appeared at the birth of Jesus, as well as what that experience has to teach us:
Doctrinal clarity matters a great deal; but Luke does not allow his Gospel to end merely with a proper emphasis on the necessity of the great doctrinal truths, and our study should not end there either. Before his ascension Jesus told the disciples "that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47). Orthodox doctrine must be proclaimed.(Francis Schaeffer, excerpted from "What Difference Has Looking Made?" in No Little People.When the shepherds had seen the baby Jesus, "they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child" (Luke 2:17). Just as the shepherds' proclamation was spontaneous, carrying out Jesus' final instructions should be natural to us. If we really believe the truth of the gospel, we should voluntarily declare it. The spontaneity of telling part of the Christmas story.
Yet it is intriguing that the telling is not the final emphasis. The next to the last verse of the Gospel of Luke tells us that the disciples "worshiped him" (Luke 24:52). The doctrinal reality and the telling of it are never allowed to stand alone; in tremendous balance with it exists worship, personal relationship.
The same thing was true in Bethlehem, in this case with the wise men and the baby Jesus, for "they fell down, and worshiped him" (Matt. 2:11). They did not only bring frankincense and myrrh; they really worshiped.
But even worship is not the end of the matter. After Christ's resurrection and ascension the disciples "returned to Jerusalem with great joy" (Luke 24:52). Joy is part of this, too. Certainly the shepherds were glad. the angel had said to them, "Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10, 11).
This does not mean a stupid kind of happiness or a sick smile, nor does it mean there are no tears or that things in this world are not as bad as God says they are. This joy is connected with the reality of our knowledge of who Jesus is, our relationship with Him and our worship of Him.
Imagine you are a shepherd on the hillside, and when the heavenly host appears you are not to be afraid; you are to have joy.
It is the same with all the teaching of the Gospel which flows from the event when the shepherds saw and heard the angels, when they ran down the hill and looked upon Jesus. And at the end of Luke's gospel, while not despising the doctrine or the telling of it, the central thing is worshiping the Lord--not coldly, but with joy. It is tremendous that the closing of the gospel of Luke fits so perfectly with the second chapter: "I bring you good tidings of great joy." "And they worshiped him…with great joy."
This does not mean a stupid kind of happiness or a sick smile, nor does it mean there are no tears or that things in this world are not as bad as God says they are. This joy is connected with the reality of our knowledge of who Jesus is, our relationship with Him and our worship of Him.
Imagine you are a shepherd on the hillside, and when the heavenly host appears you are not to be afraid; you are to have joy.
Thank you for this.
An excellent post! Thank You!
The first is the greatest Christmas! Amen & Amen!
A few years ago a little boy was watching a TV commercial that said: “Make this the best Christmas ever.” The little boy thought for a little while then said: “Even better than the first Christmas?”
One family took their little boy to the mall to see Santa, they put him in line to see Santa. After a little while, the little boy said: “Where is the line to see Jesus, I want to see Jesus!”
Just to day a liitle girl was explaining the Christmas story to her little brother: She said: “It was a good thing for Jesus to be born in a manger, it was a good place for the Shepherds to park their sheep.”
We may add; “It was a good place for the Wise Men to park their camels.”
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman,made under the law,To redeem them that were under the law,that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons,God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son unto your hearts, crying,Abba,Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant,but a son:and if a son,then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:4-7)
Oh! By the way my wife of over 52 years was saved at a Bible camp in southern Indiana,under the Ministry of Francis Schaeffer, when she was about 12 years old. (That was way before he became so well known)
Pray for her, she has been in a life care home with alztimers for the last 18 months.
Thank you for your prayers
I will mention her in our prayers tonight.
I’m saddened by your circumstance with your wife. May your two hearts always be bonded together on Earth and with God.
(KJV) And when they had seen [it], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Thanks for posting. Merry Christmas all.
I read this week that looking a family pictures aids in stirring up memories. I know very little about Alzheimer's, so I don't know if this is something they commonly suggest. I am currently having issues with brain function and have left orders that if/when I can't express myself clearly, I WANT PICTURES! and music.
I pray that God would reveal Himself to you in a new and comforting way. Fifty-two years is a lifetime of sharing, and now to be separated.
His peace be with you.
Worship - acknowledging God’s worth, His authority, that He is Creator God. Something we can’t even begin to measure, but we know He is the only one worthy of worship.
What a beautiful post for this season.
I pray that those who are curious about this story about a baby will follow through and learn about the life and death and resurrection of Jesus and be changed forever.
Will pray for you at this painful time.
Remember, God will restore all.
All.
Thank you so much for your prayers! May we all be worthy of such!
May I thank you so much! God bless you as you pray!
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