Can One Day Make a Difference

Introduction

One of the most popular movies in America, especially at this time of year, is Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Perhaps it is a favorite movie for many of you as well. Remember the plot? Jimmy Stewart plays “George,” a man who has put the needs of others above his own needs all of his life. At the film's climax, George’s life comes crashing down around him. George faces arrest and bankruptcy because of a discrepancy in the books at the Savings and Loan he runs. In desperation, he plans to kill himself, reasoning that his family would be better provided for by his dying and their receiving his life insurance. At this point, in answer to the prayers of George’s many friends, a guardian angel named Clarence is sent to help. To teach George the value of his life, Clarence shows him what his family and town would be like if he had never been born. His little brother, a WWII hero, would have drowned as a child because George would not have been around to save him.

Without savings and loans, many families in the town could not purchase their own homes. George’s eccentric but loving uncle would spend his life in the looney bin because George was not there to believe in him. The pharmacist he worked for as a child would be in jail because George once prevented him from accidentally poisoning a sick child, and so on and so on. The movie did a great job illustrating the truth that the life of one individual can make an incredible difference in the world.

And it can! Had any of us not been born, there would be a gaping “hole” left by our absence. The life of one human being can make a difference. But can one day really make a difference? Can the life of the baby born in a manger to peasant parents in a podunk town really make a difference?

Luke 2:1–14 ESV

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

SCRIPTURAL ANALYSIS

VERSES 1-3

Caesar Augustus ruled until A.D. 14 and was succeeded by Tiberius. Like Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, Caesar Augustus is seen as a divine agent bringing about God’s purpose and plan. In mentioning this Roman emperor, Luke revealed his historical interests and indicated that salvation history is both particular (Jewish) and universal in its implications (the Roman world).

Under Augustus, a tax assessment of the Roman Empire took place, even if this was not the result of a single census. In addition, at times, it was important for persons to return to their hometowns for a census. Censuses were necessary for evaluating taxation.

Augustus’s decree went out in God’s perfect timing and according to God’s perfect plan to bring his Son into the world. No one had a choice about participating in the census. Thus, all returned to their own towns to register. Joseph went to Bethlehem, a journey of about seventy or eighty miles. Bethlehem was where King David grew up. This was his historical hometown.

VERSES 4-7

God controls all history. By the decree of Emperor Augustus, Jesus was born in the very town prophesied for his birth, even though his parents did not live there. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because Joseph was a descendant of King David. Both Joseph and Mary were descendants of David. Old Testament prophets predicted the Messiah would be born in David’s royal line.

Mary, still only engaged, not married but pregnant, joined him. Luke surprises us with his next statement, just as the event must have surprised Mary and Joseph. Jesus’ appearance time had come. Luke reports that she gave birth to her firstborn son.

Following the practice of her day, Mary wrapped the baby in strips of cloth to keep his arms and legs straight. Jesus’ first crib had usually served as a dining table for animals. Where they had eaten, he now slept. Why? Because all regular lodging places were full.

VERSES 8-12

The scene changes, and the “humble and lowly” in the story are visited. One should not romanticize the occupation of shepherds. In general, shepherds were dishonest and unclean according to the standards of the law. They represent the outcasts and sinners for whom Jesus came. Such outcasts were the first recipients of the good news.

Shepherding was also a lonely occupation, particularly at night, as a shepherd stood his watch, making sure sleeping sheep did not wake up and wander and that prowling predators did not attack and devour the sheep. Only God would visit those in such a low occupation and raise them to witness his salvation.

Shift the spotlight once more from Earth’s lowly shepherds enduring a dark night to heaven’s most glorious messenger. With the angel came God’s glory, his shining majesty, the side of God humans can see and respond in confession, worship, and praise. As with Zechariah and Mary, gazing at God’s glorious angel terrified the shepherds and brought quick reassurance: Do not be afraid. Gospel is coming. Good news has arrived. Gospel elicits joy, not fear. Joy is the inward feeling of happiness and contentment that bursts forth in rejoicing and praise. Joy comes not just to lowly shepherds or isolated parents far from home. Joy comes to all people. In the most unlikely place amid the most unlikely spectators, God brushed aside the world’s fears and gave the world reason for joy. Joy centers not on something you earn or possess. Joy comes from God’s gift, a tiny baby in a feed trough.

VERSES 13-14

An angelic chorus burst on the scene, confirming the original angel’s message and singing heavenly praise to God. One of the angels’ key roles is to offer continuous praise to God. The arrival of God’s Son on earth caused all of heaven to join in an anthem of praise to God. God revealed his glory in a brilliance that shepherds could recognize. Angels recognize the worth and weight of God’s presence and praise him for it. God gains glory. People get peace. The peace referred to is the peace only the Messiah can bring—not peace after war or conflict, but peace between sinful humanity and the holy God. God favors those to whom he will graciously reveal his truth. All this happens because God’s favor, goodwill, and choice rest on people.

TODAY’S KEY TRUTH

The Day Jesus Came Changed the World, Including You & I.

APPLICATION

The setting here is that of people living under an oppressive regime. The mention of Augustus and Quirinius is politically charged. For a period before the advent of the Roman Empire, the Jews had been struggling against Syrian domination. Now, their land was ruled by a governor appointed by Rome from Syria. Whatever the actual chronology may have been, the political structure is clear: the Jews have a puppet government under Syrian and Roman power. As usual, oppression is not merely a political matter; it also reaches the everyday lives of people, as is seen in the very fact that Joseph and Mary have to travel to Bethlehem even though she is about to give birth. There, one night, she did indeed give birth to Jesus.

Think of the difference that day, Christmas Day, has made. Christ’s influence on the world is immeasurable. No other individual life has had the impact on mankind that Jesus has had.

Napoleon once said, “I search in vain in history to find one similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Nations pass away, thrones crumble, but the Church remains.” Consider the throne of Caesar Augustus. He was the emperor of the Roman Empire on the day Jesus was born. Augustus was the grand nephew of Julius Caesar and ruled from 34 B.C. to 14 A.D. and was a comparatively good ruler. But I only know that much about him because I looked it up. Really, to those who aren’t students or professors of history, Caesar August is but a name set like a small stone in the Chronicles of History.

But what about Jesus? Millions know of Him, and millions know Him personally. Today, more than 1.8 billion believers in Him are found in most nations on earth. So, as Phillip Brooks said, “All of the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that one solitary life of Jesus Christ.”

Of course, you know that Jesus’ coming has changed our calendar. We date everything B.C. (Before Christ) and A. D. for “Anno Domini,” which means “the year of our Lord.” Ironically, the most sincere atheist must acknowledge Christ whenever he engages with a calendar.

If Jesus were taken out of history, you would have to tear down all the churches and cathedrals around the world, some of mankind’s greatest architecture. Today’s service would be meaningless and a waste of time because Jesus is unnecessary, and that done in His name is not either. As the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 15:14, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless, and so is your faith.”

Consider the impact of Jesus' birth on humanitarian efforts to help the poor and hungry. Jesus set a great example of helping the poor, of caring for the poverty-stricken and downtrodden. He bid His followers to go and do likewise. And they did! His life inspired “Help” programs like the Red Cross, Easter Seals, and The Salvation Army.

If Jesus had never been born, it is hard to picture what modern medicine would be like, if it would exist at all. Following the example of Jesus Christ, the great physician, Christians have fueled some of the greatest humanitarian advances in medicine. Many historians attribute the creation of “the large hospital” to Christianity because Christians started the first hospitals in the United States.

Then, consider the effect that Jesus’ birth has had on education. Christians founded the most outstanding universities worldwide for Christian purposes: Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and others. Most of the world’s languages were first set to writing by Christian missionaries for people to read the Bible for themselves.

Consider Jesus’ impact on civil rights. Because of that Babe in Bethlehem, women are no longer property, to be bought and sold at will. Christians like William Wilberforce, Charles Finney, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated their lives to providing equality and equal rights to all people, regardless of the color of their skin.

We could go on and on, listing Jesus’ impact on science, government, economics, and basic morality. You see, it is easy to prove the point that the day Christ was born was the most important day that has ever been or ever will be. We would not want to live in a world into which Christ had not come. That first Christmas day did make a difference. But you know the most crucial difference that the first Christmas day can make is the difference that day can make in your life. As the angel proclaimed that first Christmas night, “Unto YOU was born that day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”

The Day Jesus Came Changed the World, Including You & I.

CONCLUSION

God works through history-making governments and anonymous people like shepherds to accomplish his saving purposes. We can talk all day about how Jesus’ birth changed human history, but the real question is, has He changed your present and future? Has Jesus changed you?

The gods of many religions are perceived as cold, distant, and aloof, with only a passing interest in the matters of this world. It is unthinkable that these deities would design to become entangled with the mere issues of mortals much less with our humanity. Yet, this is one of the things that makes our God so very different. This is the difference He can make in you. He has an interest in your world and in your life, so much so that He became like you.

What does it mean that God became like us? He understands what we go through every day of our lives. You see, He’s made the trip before. He came to share in the very same struggle that we endure. He has wept as we weep; He has hungered as we hunger; He saw death take those that He loved; He saw how disease ravaged people; He knew weariness and pain and suffering.

What does it mean that God became like us? He knows what injustice is about. Have you ever felt betrayed by a friend? Jesus had a friend named Judas. Have you ever been accused of doing something that you didn’t do? Jesus knows what that’s like. Have you ever had to pay the price for somebody else’s failures? Jesus wore a crown of thorns and hung on a cross for our sins.

What does it mean that God became like us? When God promises to wipe away our tears, it isn’t without understanding the hurts that caused them as Jesus lived them. Because He has had to go through so much pain, He identifies fully with us. To do this, He had to become Immanuel, “God with Us.” The fact that God became one of us so that He could save us changed everything. When you put your faith and trust in Him, you trust someone who understands you on two levels. He created you, and He became like you. There is nothing you are going through presently or in the future that He cannot see you through because He has been there.

The Day Jesus Came Changed the World, Including You & I.

When you live in that reality, it changes you. You don’t have to worry about uncertainty. You don’t have to stress over earthly issues. You don’t have to carry around burdens and secrets that feel like a ton by yourself. You can trust God with all of that because He understands. You don’t have to go through that marriage problem alone. You don’t have to lose sleep and sanity over your financial uncertainties. You don’t have to feel depressed and isolated. You can let Jesus into your heart and let Him change all that worry, stress, depression, and angst to peace, assurance, and encouragement.

Jesus can change you. You don’t have to live a life of sadness, uncertainty, frustration, or anxiety. There is a joy. There is a promise. There is a comfort. There is a peace…that can change you. Jesus. Jesus can change you.

The Day Jesus Came Changed the World, Including You & I.

Jesus came to give you access to a relationship with God and abundant life. Consider the difference Christ can make in your life today.

If you ask Him to, He will forgive you or your sins and free you from guilt. He will fill your emptiness and make you a new creation. He will give your life purpose. He will provide you with the JOY and PEACE we sing about every Christmas season. He will be your constant companion and guide every moment of your life. You see, the message of Christmas is not just the retelling of an event some 2,000 years ago. It is the opportunity for that PAST event to become a present reality in your life while simultaneously securing your future. While it may seem hidden, when you look in-depth at the birth of Christ, you come to one clear and unmistakable message:

The Day Jesus Came Changed the World, Including You & I.