December 2015
And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Lk 20:17
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Rev19:16
This is the time of year when we joyfully remember that God so loved us that He sent His only begotten son to be our Savior, born in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes. We rejoice at the miracle of His birth through a virgin and the promise of His reign in the earth. We rejoice because we know that this miracle was for our deliverance from sin and translation into the Kingdom of our God. The prophecy came forth from God in the Garden that there would be a seed from the woman that would bruise the head to the serpent and this was the beginning of its fulfillment.
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Gen 3:15
God continued to speak through time by His prophets that a promised Messiah would come:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isa 9:6
The hope and promise of the Jews was that this King/Messiah would come to save and deliver them from their oppression. Their religious symbols, service and worship to God reflected this hope of the coming Messiah. Yet when the promised Messiah did come to save and deliver them, He was not recognized nor honored by the devout religious leaders. How could they have missed this moment?
Architects design buildings with a strong foundation to enable a tall structures that will endure the times and adverse weather. They spend time testing and preparing the land for the footing. Strong enduring materials such cement or stones are used at the base of the new structure. Where stones have been used through the ages, choice stones are selected while defective ones are rejected or discarded. The stones are examined to determine strength and detect any cracks or defects that would weaken the structure. The stones are selected based on outer examination and a stone that looks weak and fragile would not be selected because of inferiority. A cornerstone holds a prominence place in the foundation of the building.
We judge people the same way: by their outward appearance. How many stones have we rejected because of outer appearance? Rich people in expensive apparel are preferred above people in poor apparel. People may be rejected because of appearance, language, place of origin, work, financial status or family. Many rich people now dress down in jeans and shirts and may drive economy cars making it impossible to tell who is really rich. Poor people sometimes buy and wear clothes and cars outside of their reasonable financial means. The wise counsel of Jesus was that we should not judge people by their outer appearance because it does not reveal the true value or worth of a person. Samuel, God’s prophet, was taught that God does not see like man but that God looks at the inside of man, into his heart.
There may be people we have devalued that were God-sent blessing to us. We may have missed the very thing we were praying for because of disregarding someone based on outward appearance. God often tests the heart of his steward before sending a blessing as He did with Abraham.
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;… Gen 22:16- 17
The Book of Hebrews has taught us: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Heb 13:2).” When Jesus came into Jerusalem He did not arrive as a rich man would in a carriage, on a horse or stallion. He came walking in sandals without a royal place to abide. The King of Kings was born in a stable because there was no room for Him at the inn. He was not born to a royal earthly family with the means to give him a palace in which to dwell. He could not be distinguished from the locals by his apparel or royal behavior. He ate and slept like the locals and yet He was higher than any rich man or king. Jesus came meek and lowly and He humbled Himself to the governing authorities of the land. Christians are taught through the teachings of Jesus to show no respect of persons but to love and treat every man as himself. Jesus walked the way that He commands us to walk: in humility and love toward everyone.
Our society today pays homage to men of wealth and status and place them above others of lesser means. And yet God is still sending great wealth in undesirable packages, undetected by man’s eye. Jesus, the Christ, was rejected by man but accepted and approved by God. Many people that God will use are still being rejected by man though approved by the Father. Jesus is still being rejected as undesirable even though He is now seated in heaven. Those that determined that he would not rule over them will one day have to bow their knee to Him.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isa 9:6
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (1Pe2:7 -8)
And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Lk 20:17
Today God’s church is built upon a sure foundation where the Corner Stone is Jesus Christ the Messiah and Redeemer. We, that believe, are likely stones built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone… (Eph 2:20). Jesus came low and walked in humility until it was time for Him to be exalted on high. And now He reigns as Lord of Lords and Kings of Kings.
In this season where we traditionally celebrate how the Savior came low to identify with and save us, we should remember an important lesson from the story: Do not judge people because they are a stranger, poor, homeless, weak or distressed in their present situation. We do not know the destiny God has put in anyone. If we obey the royal law to love everyone without respect of person, we could possibly come to a place where we witness that we have longed for as did Anna and Simeon at the birth of the Savior (Lk 2:28-38). Some may yet be entertaining angels, their breakthrough or miracle in disguise.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
THE SAVIOR IS BORN
Truth and Life Ministries of Christ with Apostle Joyce Reba Payne 