Here it is. Christmas again…already! Time never stops for any of us. We know it’s Christmas but have we ever really thought about why Jesus came?
I remember reading a story (years ago) about Pastor Clifford Stewart of Louisville, Kentucky, who sent his parents a microwave oven for Christmas one year. He recalls: “They were excited that now they, too, could be a part of the instant generation. When Dad unpacked the microwave and plugged it in, literally within seconds, the microwave transformed two smiles into frowns! Even after reading the directions, they couldn’t make it work.
Two days later, my mother was playing bridge with friends and confessed her inability to get that microwave oven even to boil water. ‘To get this darn thing to work,’ she exclaimed, ‘I don’t need better directions; I just needed my son to come along with the gift!’
John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Jesus Came to Earth as a Gift of Salvation
When God gave the gift of salvation, he didn’t send a booklet of complicated instructions for us to figure out; he sent his Son. That’s the first reason the Son of God came to Earth. He leads and guides us to make things work for our good (Romans 8:28).
Jesus Came to Earth to Undo the Works of the Devil
The word “destroy” in 1 John 3:8 means to untangle or undo. All entanglements of the enemy are undone in our lives when we receive Jesus as not only our Savior but also our Lord, who unravels and unscrambles the mess sin has brought to our lives.
1 John 3:8b
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
We all had sold ourselves into sin during our lifetime. We became enslaved by a lifestyle of pride, self-importance, and other sins that bind us and blind us. Satan became our slave master. But when Jesus came to Earth and gave his life as a ransom, our slave masters, sin, fear, death, and the devil had to give up their claim on us. And the result was that you and I would be adopted into the family of God. He paid the debt for our sin, so if we turn and follow Him in faith, we are freed from all our guilt too!
Hebrews 2:14-15
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Jesus came to Earth to be our “Horn of Salvation”
In Psalm 18 and Luke 1 Jesus is referred to as the “Horn of Salvation.” “Horn” in the Bible refers to power, authority, and forcefulness. It is sometimes referencing nations, but in this context, it is a reference to God’s power to deliver you, redeem you, and conquer all your enemies.
Here is the Hebrew word picture:
Satan may be roaming around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, but all who take refuge in Christ, the horn of our salvation, cannot be destroyed or devoured. The picture is that of a horn with an impaled lion on the end DEAD! The Horn of Salvation will impale the one who thinks he’s king of the jungle (metaphorically).
Psalm 18:2
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.Luke 1:69
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David
The “horn of salvation” projects an eternal and everlasting reign. He came to Earth to offer forgiveness, power, and a new nature. Ultimately our full redemption will suddenly arrive in the Rapture when our bodies are transformed into incorruptible, everlasting bodies. When Jesus came to Earth, He conquered the devil, death, and the grave by His crucifixion and resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:52-53
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Hebrews 9:27
…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment
We all will face Jesus as Judge one day. It looks like the prophets who foretold us that Jesus would come back were right. All the signs pointing to the Great Event are converging in an unprecedented manner. Now is the time to make peace with God.
This Christmas, make Jesus the Horn of your Salvation! Get a free ebook download of The New Life—Start of Something Wonderful!
So thankful for the Lord as our Savior. So thankful for you folks and your ministry.
Wonderful message, thank you!! Merry Christmas and God Bless you and yours!!