Keith digs out this episode from our archives. Listen and enjoy how we sounded way back in 2016.
We don’t have a lot of structure in our discussion today. A forgotten concept from an earlier episode gets us started. Are there universal truths in the bible? Meaning a truth that applies in all situations, all the time? Most truths we learn about depending on the context of when they are given, the people who they were given to, or the situation at hand. One universal truth, and probably the most important one, is that of salvation. We all need it, without it, our future can only lead to destruction, and we can’t achieve it by ourselves.
We take something of a bunny trail, as we wonder at the latest developments in the world of those with confused or uncertain feelings about their sexuality. It’s a good thing because it transitions us into talking about what sin is. Whether you hold to a Christian outlook, holding the bible to be the final authority on ethics, everybody knows that we fall short in obeying the rules, and that evil exists. We all may not agree exactly where those lines should be drawn, but everyone can honestly agree that we are far from perfect.
What do we do about those uh-oh moments in life? How do we come to grips with them? As much as we might like to give the benefit of the doubt to people, or that humanity is good, we fail so badly on so many levels.
Main Topic. From before the beginning of time, and from the earliest pages of scripture, a plan was in place. The focal point to rescue all humanity took place with a special birth.
Taking a close look at this moment in time, we look at Matthew 1:18, and various supporting passages. The bible is unique in that instead of being a single book, it is made of separate, supportive writings, written by diverse authors from a timespan of centuries. Many writing independently of each other, and often coming to the same conclusions and principles. Writers
Matthew 1:18 contains a couple of key points. The birth of Jesus, and the special situation surrounding Mary and Joseph.
The birth of Jesus might be a simple, common thing, except he had to be born as a clean thing, out of unclean people. Comparing this passage to the account in Luke 1:27-38, we find that both Mary and Joseph had independent encounters with angels who made it plain that the Holy
Spirit was behind this birth. It was important to know that Joseph was not the father. Scandalous, but there was to be no doubt of the divine intervention that made Jesus special.
The promise of this savior, and the salvation he offers from sin, go all the way to the moments after the fall of man, as we read in Genesis 3:15. The special kind of a man who would rise above being impure, and could claim to be righteous in his own right.
God could have chosen anytime or place, but the focal point is this moment where Jesus came into the world.
Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV)
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
5 to redeem those who were under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons.Jesus fell under all the same laws we all do. He lived up to them and conquered them. It’s why he alone can claim total righteousness, and he alone is qualified to pay the price of sin for all of us. In the book of Hebrews, it claims he is the high priest who offers the perfect sacrifice for our sin.
The name Jesus means God Saves. Think of this, Jesus was born into the world to save us from sin. “God Saves” was born at a special time, in a special place, to a special purpose, and is the focal point for all humanity to be reclaimed to be with him in eternity.
Sin is the problem, but with what we call Christmas, the birth of God’s salvation is what it takes to justify us and reconcile us to him
On a parting note, we spend a few moments considering why people say they hate Christmas. Our bottom line? We figure it’s mostly because they’re focused on the hollow trappings, and commercial side of the holiday. What do you think? Drop us a line and tell us.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:14 — 80.6MB)
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