BECOMING JESUS
30th Dec 2015
We’ve been celebrating Christmas, and remembering God’s great gift of Jesus, the Saviour of the World. Luke 2:21 tells us that “He was named even before He was conceived, named Jesus, Saviour”, so that we can have our sins forgiven and forgotten, and can live a new life.
Jesus grew, and as an adult, “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38)
When Peter was preaching just after the healing of the lame man outside the Temple, he said, “Now it’s time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you, and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus.” (Acts 3:19-20 in The Message)
We can know all about Jesus, but we need to experience His presence and saving power by allowing Him to literally take over our lives, allowing Him to live in us, changing us from the inside out, until we become Jesus in the sphere of influence we live in.
Paul prays for the Colossian Christians to have wise minds and spirits attuned to God’s will in order to understand the ways in which God works. And in learning how He does His work, we will know how to do ours.
Talking and singing about Jesus the Saviour is good, but letting Him be the Saviour in all the practical aspects of life is something even more exciting and remarkable. Seeing Him changing lives, giving hope, providing in all sorts of remarkable ways, right now today is even more thrilling than the “Christmas Story”. It’s ongoing, up to date, and you are part of it.
Christ (the Saviour) in you making a difference wherever you are now and in this coming New Year. Jesus released from the manger into the hearts and lives of real people today!
by Joyce Sibthorpe
