A Savior, who is Christ the Lord

In Luke 2, we read of the ancient story of Christmas. Many of us grew up hearing this story each year at Christmas time and if we are not careful, it can become monotonous as we tell the same story, yet again. I was visiting with another pastor the other day and we joked about all the different ways we try to keep the story fresh in our preaching each year. But this year, I am reminded that Jesus doesn't need us to keep him fresh or tell His story in an entertaining way. The power of the Christmas story is found in Jesus himself, in his identity as Savior, Christ, and Lord. 

In Luke 2:8-11 we read, "8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

This year, I hope you will see how incredible Jesus is in his three names listed in verse 11. First, he is Savior. Wow. I'm reminded of Romans 5:8, "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Knowing we would sin and rebel, knowing we would be disobedient, not listen to God, and act incredibly selfish, he still sent Jesus to die in our place so we would not pay the penalty for our sin. He died so I could live. His blood paid my debt to God so I could have eternal life. 

If that weren't enough, He is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. This Christ shows up in the middle of his people. In John 20, he shows up in a locked room with the disciples. In Acts 2, he does it again and the disciples are given the Holy Spirit. He does it again in Acts 16 when Paul and Silas are praising God in the middle of the jail. It is what Paul says in Colossians 1:27: Christ in you (plural). That would translate Christ in y'all, the hope of glory. I can't tell you how many times I have been in a group of believers and Christ shows up and changes everything. So here is the point: if you are a believer, if you have been "saved" but are not in relationship with other believers, then you are missing out on the Christ. The Christian life is meant to be shared in community. Maybe you are a Christian and you just show for church on Sunday but you don't really have any relationship with other Christians. I want to encourage you to get in a small group or Sunday school class, or find some Christians that you like being around and talk about life...but make it deeper than the crazy weather we are having or how the Cowboys are doing this year and watch the Christ show up in that conversation. 

Finally, Jesus is Lord. We don't necessarily like this one as much because it translates that he is our Master and we are his servants. It means that He is King of the universe and He makes the rules. We don't get to cut deals with Him; he is not our magic genie in a bottle to grant us wishes. He has a sovereign will that we submit to and carry out. As a good servant does, he carries out the wishes of his Master. And oh by the way, Jesus is a great Master. When we carry out his wishes and will, it turns out really good for us, too. He has our best interest in mind. How awesome is that? But it also means that this life is not one to be wasted on our own selfish pursuits. It's not about making all the money we can, or making ourselves happy. We actually find that we are most joyful when we submit to him and do his work. In fact, in Matthew 11:30 Jesus says, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." What a good Master we serve!