THE K I NG ' S B U S I N E S S
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other of the Old Testament saints. An angel foretold the coming of the Mes siah, announced His b irth , His resu r rection and His retu rn . T ru th comes from above— it is a Divine revelation. Science may seek to know God, may fol low a star, as did th e Wise Men, but they are compelled to come to th e Book to find the Christ. To th e simple shep herds came the marvellous message, “ Feqr not; * * unto you is born” . It was a message of peace and joy for which the world had been waiting 4000 years. “To th e Jew first”.—th a t is God’s order for th e Gospel: (Gen. 12:3) “A nd I w ill b le ss th e m t h a t b le ss th e e , a n d c u rse h im th a t c u rs e th th e e ; a n d in th e e sh a ll a ll fa m ilie s o f th e e a r th be b lessed .” (Rom. 1:16) “F o r I a m n o t a sh a m e d o f th e g o sp e l of C h rist; fo r i t is th e p o w er o f God u n to s a lv a tio n to e v e ry o n e t h a t b e lie v e th ; to th e J e w firs t a n d a ls o to th e G reek .” but, also, to the Gentile. The message is for the whole world, (Col. 1:20, 21). “A nd, h a v in g m ad e p e a c e th r o u g h th e blo o d o f h is cro ss, b y h im to reco n cile a ll th in g s u n to , h im se lf; b y h im , I sa y , w h e th e r th ey - be th in g s in e a r th , o r th in g s in -h eav en . A nd y o u , th a t w e re so m e tim e a lie n a te d a n d en em ies in y o u r m in d b y w ick ed w o rk s, y e t n o w h a th h e reco n ciled .” 1 The threefold title which is given to Jesus here is significant,— Saviour: A sin-bearer. A Prophet like unto Moses. Christ: The anointed and appointed P riest to offer sacrifice. Lord: As Man and Master combined •—a King— God. These th ree titles are expressive of Redemption, Messiahship, Lordship. W hat fulness in a few words! He was born a Saviour— not a m artyr. He did not become a Saviour. He was the Lamb slain from th e foundation of the world. (Rev. 13:8.) (3) THE SIGN GIVEN, v. 12. “ Ye shall find the babe— lying in a manger.” A manger — a Babe — swaddling clothes! W hat a place in which to find
quiet life, conducive to m editation and piety, self-sacrifice and watchfulness. Why was th e revelation given to shepherds? Perhaps they had studied the sta rs and th e Scriptures and, like, Simeon and Anna, were looking for the Messiah. God always has a faith fu l rem nant who .are looking for Him. He was to be a Shepherd. When He came He took th a t title upon Himself and has forever identified Himself w ith the task of feeding and leading His sheep. The revelation must be made to some one, ju st as someone must be called to be His disciples and He chose th e lowly fishermen,-—P eter and James and John. 11Üffltf (2) THE SERAPHIC VISION,' vs. 9-11 “And, lo, th e angel of the Lord” . While they were engaged in th eir duties, the vision came. Visions are for th e vigilant. If you are looking for the fulfillment of Scripture, light from heaven will illumine your soul. Many a man has missed the music of angel voices and failed to see th e beacon star because he was not a t his post of duty. Why did the' announcement come a t night? Was it not suggestive of thé moral condition of the world a t th a t time? (John 3:19) “A nd th is is th e c o n d em n a tio n , th a t lig h t is com e in to th é w o rld a n d m en lo v e d a .k n e s s r a th e r th a n lig h t, b e c a u se th e ir d eed s a re ev il.” It was night when Nicodemus came to Jesus. It was night when Jud as be trayed Him. It was night when Peter denied Him. It was night when He was. led away to be crucified. But it was day, a glad day, when He arose. W ithout warning, th e darkness was gilded w ith glory. The angel of the Lord— a heavenly visitant in human form— made his presence known. F ear fell upon them. All great revelations have been attested by heavenly w it nesses. The Bible bristles w ith the supernatural. Angelic visitors ap peared to Abraham , to Daniel and many
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