the sacrifice; as such He is the Priest. Lord, the God-man who is both mas- ter and man combined; as such He is King. He is both Prophet, Priest and King, combining Redemption, Messiah- ship and Lordship. The Sign Given. The sign of the king is threfold—a manger, a babe, swaddling clothes... First a sign of His humility, lying in a manager. What a place to find the long looked for heav- en heralded Messiah and King. Not in a stately palace, but in a stable. He became poor that we through His poverty might become rich, 2 Cor. S:i>. His royal attire was laid aside for the garments of humanity and His earthly home was among the humble. Second a sign of weakness. Divine power was swathed in weakness. What hope could there be that a fcabe with such a birth could gain the victory prom- ised over the enemy. Third, a sign of power. The babe was the seed of the: woman, the babe of virgin birth, whose- heel should crush the head of the ser- pent and give deliverance forever to the sons of men. . J This is the one who had emptiep Himself, had become of no reputatiqA. His humiliation was as complete as/His final exaltation. He had a lowly iiirtli, a lowly life and a lowly death. THE SAVIOUR FOUND. "The babe lying in a manger.'' They found the words of the angel true. They were the words of God and God's word are always true. What God says must eome to pass. God's word tells us that we shall see Him sitting upon the throne of His glory and as surely as the shepherds- found the babe in the manger will we find the enthroned son. The shepherd did not go to verify the Word but to see the thing that had come to pass,- to view their Saviour. God spoke it and they believed it. They hastened. Would that there was more alertness and alacrity in seeking the Saviour. They found Him. Even as afterwards Philip found Him of whom Moses in the Is*w and prophets did speak, Jno. 1:45. They feasted their eyes and filled their famished hearts with a sight .of the holy child Jesus. The Silent Heart. Mary was silent, but she treasured these things in her
THE SERAPHIC VISION. "The glory of the Lord." The scene is laid with historic set- ting The plains of ±>ethlehem. Here Ruth gleaned. Here David watched his flocks and here was David's well. The Shepherd Watchers. —Shepherds were outlawed by the rabbis. They were barred from being witnesses. There was no succor for shepherds or heathen. The life of a Shepherd was a lowly and lonely one but it was con- ducive to meditation and piety, to self sacrifice and watchfulness. The Lord has taken upon himself the humble title of shepherd and forever identified himself with the task ol leading and feeding his sheep and car- rying in iHs arms His lambs These shepherds seemed to belong to the rem- nant that looked for the Messiah—as did Zecharias, Simeon, Anna and Mary. The time was right suggestive of the moral character of the lost world. THE SHINING VISITANT. While they were abiding in the field, doing their duty, the heavens were opened. Visisons are for the vigilant. If you are looking for the fulfillment of the Scriptures light from heaven will illumine your soul. Many a man has missed the music of the angel voices and failed to see the signal star be- cause he was out of place. Without warning there stood over them a heav- enly visitor in human form; glory gilded the gloom of the night and fear fell upon them. It was the angel of the Lord. Great truths from God are attested by heavenly witnesses, Ihe Bible bristles with supernatural mani- festations. Angels foretold His com- ing to Mary, announced His birth, at- tested His resurrection and gave as- surance of His return. God's truth is by revelation. Scientists may seek to find and know God but they seek in vain until they open the Book. But to simple minded watchers the revelation comes naturally. The messsage is a practical and personal one. Unto you, it is a joyful one. A savior is born. It is a universal one, to all people. Three titles are accorded the child. Saviour, > one who is to be sin bearer and sin purger; as, such he is a Prophet. Christ, the anointed man to minister
Made with FlippingBook HTML5