journey onWord with us

Words formed clearly in my heart and mind late in the advent of our dear Savior’s birth last year. They were intended for an altogether different purpose but have found new prompts and purpose in this year’s intentional season. I share them humbly with you in these last hours of anticipation and preparation for the good and right remembrance and celebration of His first coming. God With Us! Immanuel!

There is a profound truth common to each of the fundamental places/objects of our Christian faith. Namely, that they are all empty. Jesus was lovingly and intentionally laid in a manger. But He was not just born, He was born to be God With Us and then die for our sins. In that way, the manger is empty in order that He would live as one of us and die for all of us. Jesus was the only and perfect Lamb sent by God the Father to die on a cross for the sins of all, for all time. But the cross alone could not complete the plan of redemption. In that way, the cross is empty because its finished work required the grave. Jesus put death to death because of the grave, yes. But He defeated death by walking out of it on the third day, just as He said He would. In that way, the tomb is empty and we serve a Risen Savior! It was God’s plan to become one of us in order to redeem us and make a way back to Him. Glory to God in the highest!

The angels sang and shepherds came on that holiest of nights. People shouted and then shuddered on the day His precious blood was spilled and the earth shook so violently the veil was torn in two. Women went and then raced away to go and tell on the morning that everything changed. The places where Jesus was laid in this life were not ends to the Father’s mean. They were each uniquely and profoundly necessary, and are places which are all empty — empty of His presence, but full of His purpose.

O come let us adore Him, and then go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere!