A CHRISTMAS THOUGHT--1998

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief" (1 Timothy 1:15).

TWO WONDERFUL WOMEN

The reason for the entrance of Christ Jesus into the world is glorious. It was to "save sinners!" He did not come to correct social disorders, ensure political stability, or resolve interpersonal dilemmas. To be sure, all of these matters are addressed in the EFFECT of His great salvation but the salvation, or deliverance, of sinners is at the heart of the matter.

This truth is confirmed in the expressions of two marvelous women in Scripture. These particular responses are associated with the announcement of the birth of Christ Jesus. The women are Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, and Mary, mother of our Lord. They represent the extremities of motherhood, with one being old and one young. By nature, the older was barren, and thus could not have children. Morally, the younger was unmarried, and thus having a child was not lawful. In both cases, Divine intervention was required. From the standpoint of nature, John the Baptist could not have been born. From the standpoint of morality, it was not right for Jesus to be born. In both cases, the Lord God of heaven must intervene. In the case of Elizabeth, the birth was made possible. In the case of Mary, it was made both right and possible. Without God, neither birth could have occurred.

Elizabeth

Both of these women were spiritually insightful. Hear the response of aged Elizabeth to the salutation of younger Mary. "Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord" (Lk 1:42-45). These words were spoken as Elizabeth was "filled with the Holy Spirit." Note their God glorifying content. (1) She had insight into the greatness of the blessing to be experienced by Mary: "Blessed are you among women." (2) She knew the attitude of the Lord toward the child to be born of Mary: "Blessed is the fruit of your womb." (3) She knew the significance of the child to be born: "The mother of my Lord." (4) She was acutely aware of the unique impact of this news on the child she was bearing in her own womb: "The babe leaped in my womb for joy." (5) Elizabeth knew why the Lord had so blessed Mark: "Blessed is she who believed." (6_She also knew the faithfulness of God: "There will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."

As Elizabeth confirmed, the salvation of sinners involved the following. (1) The spiritual insight of those involved. (2) A superior blessing for the mother bearing the holy Child. (3) The blessing of God upon the Savior Himself. (4) Joy among those perceiving what was being accomplished. (5) The presence of faith in those to be blessed. (6) The faithfulness of God to perform the work.

Mary

In its eagerness to protest, Protestantism has dealt neither fairly nor righteously with Mary, the mother of our Lord. The blessing afforded her in giving birth to the Savior is unparalleled among women. The angel; of the Lord informed her, "Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women" (Lk 1:28). Students of Scripture know that such a heavenly salutation is most rare. Highly favored by God! God with her! Blessed among all her peers! Mary was told, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God" (Lk 1:30). How glorious! History began with judgment pronounced upon a woman (Gen 3:16). But with the birth of Mary's firstborn, an era of blessing was introduced.

Mary's response to Elizabeth's words stand among the most enlightened responses in all of Scripture. "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever" (Lk 1:46-55).

Think of the insight of this blessed woman! Her expression is filled with food for the soul. (1) The personalness of salvation is seen when God Himself is called "MY Savior." (2) The tender mercies of the Lord are seen in His high regard of "the lowly state" of His servant. (3) The effect of the Holy Child will be felt by "all generations." (4) In the birth of Jesus, and in all who receive Him, God does "great things" to the participants. (5) Salvation reveals the glorious "strength" of God, as he breaks through the thick shell of hardness brought on by sin. (6) In the coming of Christ Jesus, proud opponents were "scattered." (7) Antagonizing "imaginations" were frustrated, "mighty" rulers deposed, and earth's "lowly exalted." (8) Those hungering and thirsting for righteousness are "filled with good things" in Christ. (9) Those who perceive themselves as adequate without God, are "sent away empty." (10) The promises made to the ancient people are fulfilled as they are "helped" by God "remembering" the covenantal blessings promised to Abraham.

May God be praised for these two precious women! They stand as spiritual bookends for all godly women. Let us give them honor for their unparalleled involvement in the birth of our Savior.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to have an insightful and effective response to coming the Savior into the world.

-- TOMORROW: THE JEWEL OF CONTENTMENT --