CHRISTMAS 1

December 26-27, 2021

Pastor Timothy J. Spaude

Text: Hebrews 12:1-3

 JESUS ON DISPLAY!

1. For you.

2. Through you.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (EHV) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us get rid of every burden and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with patient endurance the race that is laid out for us. ² Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the author of our faith and the one who brings it to its goal. In view of the joy set before him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of God’s throne. ³ Carefully consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinful people, so that you do not grow weary and lose heart.”

 

          One of the things I really enjoy about Christmas time is that Jesus is on display--everywhere. More than any other time of the year it is true. It’s not like the other stolen Christian Festival of Easter where you have to look hard to see Jesus on display. This time of year you don’t. Drive through any given neighborhood and while you will see all kinds of outdoor displays that have absolutely nothing to do with the whose birth it is there is usually one or more nativity scenes with Jesus on display. Everyone who drives past on Forest Home can see Jesus on display in our nativity scene. I saw one place where, on their long white fence facing the road, they had painted a huge EMMANUEL with a nativity scene in front. One of our family traditions, maybe yours too, has been to drive through Candy Cane lane each year. Each year we count how many of the displays have a nativity scene or something that points to Jesus. This year there were a record number of displays that pointed to Jesus. 36! Jesus is on display. I even get some joy that the green things on display are still almost universally called Christmas trees. Christ’s tree. And if you think about it, Christ on a tree is what we need to see at Christmas time and always.

          Then Jesus was on display as well. He just didn’t look so cute. And yet that is what God wants us to see. Jesus on display for you. Listen again to what God had written to the Christians known as the Hebrews. They were getting discouraged because people in their time didn’t like Christ so they didn’t like Christians very much. He wrote, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us get rid of every burden and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with patient endurance the race that is laid out for us.” This part of the letter to the Hebrews follows Hebrews 11, the halls of faith chapter of the Bible that lists so many famous believers of the past who lived their lives by faith, trusting what God said even when everything they saw going on around them didn’t add up. They are the great cloud of witnesses. We have more. Take the nativity scenes. The first hearers of Hebrews did not live at a time or in a world that had any of those. Christians were persecuted. This time of year we tend to think of fond Christmas memories of the past. Think of the witnesses of your past, mom and dad who lived their lives by faith. Then we are urged to get rid of the burdens and sins that ensnare us. At this time of year some of those snares are all the extras of Christmas that grab our attention away from Jesus. Well, the commercial Christmas is over so maybe it’s easier now. Forget about the parties and presents. You’ll be putting decorations away soon enough. But you won’t put away Jesus. “ Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the author of our faith and the one who brings it to its goal.” Jesus is on display.  God wants us to keep looking at Him but not as the cute and helpless looking baby. But on the cross. “In view of the joy set before him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of God’s throne. Carefully consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinful people, so that you do not grow weary and lose heart.”

What brings you joy? Being with family? Being with friends? Things? A favorite Christmas carol proclaims, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!” The writer to the Hebrews points us to what brought joy to our Lord Jesus. When Jesus came to earth he was filled with anticipation of joy that would be his. The source of that joy? You. Having you with Him in heaven. That’s why He endured the cross and disregarded its shame. Jesus was on display at His birth and at his death. At his birth it was humble and lowly. At his death it was horrible and hellish. You can research if you want the pain of crucifixion at the hands of Rome. It is not for the weak of heart. You can understand the shame of crucifixion as those crucified were stripped of their clothing and helpless to defend themselves from whatever horrible things people would throw at them. What you and I can’t understand and you cannot research is the real pain of the cross for Jesus, how awful it is to be separated from God. You can’t research that because no one has come back from Hell to tell. Yet that is what Jesus endured as he was on the cross to pay the penalty of sin for all people. For you. For me. Why would He do that? In view of the joy set before Him. In view of what He would redeem for God, you and me and all who believe in Him. Jesus was on display for you.

But soon all the Christmas decorations and nativity scenes will go away? When do you take yours down? Chris and I wait until Gentile’s Christmas, Epiphany, January 6. Radio stations change their playlists today. Merchants will shift to post Christmas sales. Soon if not already whatever nativity scenes allover our community, including the one out there, will be taken down. So where will Jesus be on display? Through you. Shortly before our Lord Jesus ascended He said, “You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.” It is clear that He was not just speaking to the Apostles gathered before Him who went plenty of places but never made it to the ends of the earth. No, Jesus was talking to every believer in Him from that time on until He returns. He was talking to you and to me. We are His witnesses.  Jesus is on display through us.

Earlier this year we had a Bible Class series called One by One. Many of you were there. It was a great reminder of how things work with people. When it’s something important we rely on people we know and trust for advice and direction. So if you want to know a good car dealership where you will be treated fairly you will ask or listen to family members and friends you know and trust as they make recommendations to you. New in town and looking for a doctor or dentist for yourselves or the kids? What did you do? You asked people you knew and trusted. Every single person in your life needs Jesus as their Savior. They may not know it now. They may not care now. But they need Him. Who will they listen to and who will they ask when God gets them to the point they realize they need Him? Hopefully you. Why you? You know the truth that Jesus is the Savior for all. You know the truth that trying harder or living better doesn’t cut it with God. You know the way and the truth and the life and that His name is Jesus and no one gets to come to the Father except through Jesus the Son. You know forgiveness is free and what grace is. You know the real Jesus. I can’t say that the other people in their life are like you. Jesus is on display through you.

But before people will listen to you they will need to get to know you and trust you. That’s where Jesus on display through you in your every day life comes into play. Jesus sets this joy before you. Be Him to others. The ear that listens when a heart is hurting. That hand that helps when the neighbor’s garbage can when it blows over. Even or especially the grumpy neighbor. Have you spent the time yet to find out why he’s grumpy? Be the voice that encourages or puts out the fire between family members. The one that gives a ride. Or takes over cookies. Let’s have a record number of times that Jesus is on display through us until they ask that all important question, “Why? Why are you so nice all the time?” I’m glad you asked. Because Jesus is so nice to me.”

That’s how God works to keep Jesus on display all year long, for you and through you. Amen.