Why Jesus?

Talk about the Christmas Season.

The reason for the season being Jesus.

talk about how you like to tell the whole gospel story at Christmas. Connect to the whole episode.

Hosea - Not My People and No Mercy.

Romans 5:6-11

Romans 5:6–11 ESV

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

we must realize that we were enemies of God. That people as a whole are selfish and self serving. I was listening to a sermon this week and the preacher, Nick Maddox at BT McAllen, talked about how when he was growing up his Mom had a totalitarian view of punishment. When one kid made a ruckus, all the kids got a whoopin.

Thank God that he doesn’t operate that way, though truly He should. The scriptures say in Isaiah 59:1-2 that we, as a whole, are all guilty of sin. They paint a bleak picture for us.

Isaiah 59:1-2

Isaiah 59:1–2 ESV

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

this why the words of Romans 5:6-11 are so powerful.

Romans 5:6–11 ESV

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

we also find this encouragement in Isaiah 59:20-21 N.T. Wright says this about salvation.

Isaiah 59:20-21

Isaiah 59:20–21 ESV

20 “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord. 21 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.”

(Salvation) makes its way forwards into the present, rescuing people from the state of sin, and rescuing God’s people from trouble and persecution. ‘Salvation’ is a present reality as well as a future hope.

N. T. Wright

Spurgeon writes that

The gospel does not come to us as a premium for virtue, but it presents us with forgiveness for sin. It is not a reward for health, but a medicine for sickness.

For Whom Did Christ Die?, Volume 20, Sermon #1191 - Romans 5:6

Charles Spurgeon

so why Jesus? Because God also practices totalitarian justice. The total cost of Sin was put upon Jesus. The son in the triune God. So what should we do with this. I want to take a look at the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:5-15

Matthew 6:5-15

Matthew 6:5–15 ESV

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.