God has promised us everything in Christ.
Abraham knew the Lord as a promise-maker, Moses knew him as a promise-keeper, but we know the one in whom all the promises are yes and Amen.
In Christ, there is now no condemnation for us (Rom. 8:1)
In Christ we did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but a spirit of adoption by which we cry out, “Abba, Father!” (Rom. 8:16)
In Christ the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed (Rom. 8:18).
In Christ we know that he who did not spare his own son, but freely gave him up for us all, will also with him freely give us all things (Rom. 8:32).
In Christ there is nothing in all creation—neither life nor death, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing–that can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:38-39).
All of the promises are yes and Amen in Christ.
Think of all that the people waited for and did not see–all the fulfillment that they kept longing for, hoping for, waiting for. And think of every good thing that came true on Christmas day.
At last, there was one born of the seed of the woman, a boy who would set everything right.
He would crush the head of the serpent.
He would be Abraham’s offspring, descendant from the tribe of Judah, heir to the throne of David, born of a virgin, born in Bethlehem, preceded by the messenger of the covenant, a prophet like Moses, a priest like Melchizedek and a king like David.
He entered Jerusalem on a donkey, just as the prophets had said.
He was betrayed by his friends.
He was sold for 30 pieces of silver and accused by false witnesses.
He was stricken, smitten and afflicted.
He was hated without cause, crucified with transgressors, buried by the rich in his death.
He was pierced for our transgressions and wounded for our iniquities.
He was buried in a tomb and he rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures.
All promises. And all true. Because of what we celebrate this week.
Merry Christmas!
