Isaiah 9:6
For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
When Isaiah penned the words of this prophecy concerning the coming of our Lord, there was certainly very little hope for the people of Israel. God had chosen them, but they had rejected Him, or at least they had neglected Him. Sounds pretty much the way of our present day world doesn’t it?
People may sing Christmas carols and even be so spiritual as to read the nativity story, but what is in their heart? To know “about” someone is not the same as actually knowing them. We may be introduced to a celebrity but that certainly does not mean we “know” them.
Several years ago Joyce and I were on a vacation in Hawaii. As we were seated for lunch one day, we happened to be seated at a table next to a famous comedian and his family. I have never seen such an old grouch in my life. He not only looked miserable, he acted miserable. He never acted like he was aware of anyone in the room, including the members of his own family. We didn’t know him and what is more we did not care to know him.
That is the negative side. I have been introduced to people that appeared to be warm and wonderful and I would have enjoyed spending time getting to know them, but, here we are again, I did not know them at all.
Just to read a story about the life of Jesus does not mean that we “know” Him. To really know Him requires a new birth. In John 3:16, He told Nicodemus that in order to know Him into eternity, we must experience a new birth. That requires a confession of our sins and asking Him to come into our heart and make us a new creation. Do you know Him?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil