Pastor Quinn • December 17, 2023
The King Shall Come—Just as God Promised
In Eden, mankind fell into sin, introducing death and despair into what had been Paradise. God immediately promised to send a Savior who would undo that devastation. This Savior would be a descendant of Adam and Eve-a human being. Century after century, through the prophets, God reiterated and expanded upon that promise of a Savior King. In a manger in Bethlehem, on that first Christmas, God's promise was fulfilled.
The perfect faithfulness God demonstrated in keeping all his promises about Christ's first coming at Christmas is what gives us the certainty and comfort that God will keep his promises about Christ's second coming on Judgment Day. The King shall come!
Without the resurrection of Jesus, I would be tempted to live only for myself. After all, I have to be in good shape before I can be of help to anyone else, right? I think I know what’s right for me, and I can identify when other people are standing in the way of my self-improvement. If Jesus is dead, I don’t have to worry about what he said or what he thinks. But he lives, and it makes a difference. He takes care of my basic needs. He promises to do more for me than I can imagine. He puts people into my life so I can help them. Now I live for him.
Without the resurrection of Jesus, I would have to wonder if he wasn’t just a human being. If my last view of him is a criminal crucified on a cross, he would look like someone to be rejected. He couldn’t even help himself, much less anyone else! But he lives, and it makes a difference. He is the only way to heaven. This gospel message is the most inclusive message in the world. The benefits of the resurrection of Jesus are meant for every man, woman, and child who has ever lived.
Without the resurrection of Jesus, I would have little hope for the future. That’s how the disciples felt after this death. “We hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:19). Their hope for a better life had died along with Jesus. But he lives, and it makes a difference. My hope for the future is restored. I have victory over the feeling of hopelessness, because the one who heals me and gives me a better life is himself alive. He lives to restore my hope.
