Love Under the Microscope

"For unto you this day is born in the city of David a Savior which is Messiah Yahweh."
 

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Spiritual Gifts Revelation 1:
Charismata Theory, Assessment, Problem-solving
Just Released!  Spiritual Gifts Revelation 2:
Miracles by the Book
Both by Jack Snyder 2008

Readings: Isaiah 9:6-8; Luke 2:10-12

1. The inadequacy of vision
2. A microscope improves vision
3. It can be applied to understanding as well as seeing
4. Example: Viewing Luke 2:11 under a microscope reveals more than meets the eye -- what is revealed is a special kind of place, a special kind of love, and a special kind of person, a Savior.

A Savior

1. In English, the verse contains 19 words. Under the microscope we can see that:
2. All words revolve around one word as planets around the sun. That pivotal word is "Savior."
3. Were angels required to announce the birth of a Mother Theresa or Princess Di? A Herbert Hoover or a Mahatma Ghandi or a Martin Luther King? No, sir! Only for the titanic tidings of a Savior, one who might rescue all humanity from sin, death, disease, and hell, would the heavenly host be required!
4. And the other 18 words merely modify the brightness of their Son. But they, in that reflection, tell us all about the Savior:

They Tell Us Who the Savior Was to Be - "Messiah" and "Yahweh "

1. "Messiah," the Messiah, the long-predicted, Elohim -appointed, Elohim -anointed fulfiller of the covenants of Abraham, Noah, Moses, David, and the prophets Isaiah, Micah, Daniel, and John the Baptist.
2. "kyrios," NT synonym for YHWH. This Messiah is Yahweh Elohim himself. "Hail th'incarnate deity!"

They Tell Us How the Savior Was to Come - "is born"

1. How can a Messiah save if no feelings like those he aims to rescue? But Messiah is born!
2. How can a Yahweh bless if no common experience with those he aims to bless? But Yahweh is born!
3. And the birth of the Savior
  (a) makes motherhood a holy thing;
  (b) sets womanhood in an honored place;
  (c) gives humanity and human ways dignity, bound up with Elohim 's own dignity; and
  (d) proves the real manhood of Messiah , spanning the deep gulf of sin, space, time and possibility. He is born!

They Tell Us Where the Savior Was to Be Born - "In the City of David"

1. This is where Jacob's dear Rachel died giving birth
2. Where gentle Ruth gleaned & herself became a wife
3. Where King David was born -- where he learned to play the harp, sing psalms, and toss stones.
4. Bethlehem -- to the prophets, perhaps a wretched place; yet Bethlehem is blessed today throughout the entire earth, by saints and sinners alike, as the birthplace of a King.

They Tell Us To Whom the Savior Came - "for unto you"

1. He came to the poorest of the poor - shepherds - despised by all - the least of brethren. And he came by way of angels to shepherds to show that nobody is to be excluded from his salvation or fellowship.
2. And today he still comes unto you and unto me; he lives with us; he helps guide us; he comforts us.

A true story: A Christian lady was concerned about her apathetic husband. During the holidays, all he did was sit in the basement, eat popcorn, and watch sports. She's get on him constantly, but it didn't do any good. Prayer didn't work, either. Finally she retorted, "What would 'Jesus' have to do with you?" and stomped up the basement stairs.

That night she had a dream. Jesus came to the house and told the sister he'd heard her prayer, and had come to see her husband. The lady was beside herself with joy, and pointed Jesus to the basement door. She waited upstairs for an hour, imagining Jesus severely dealing with her husband, and how he would soon be a new man.

After another half hour, she couldn't wait any longer, and she sneaked down the basement steps to see what was going on. There was her husband in the same old chair. There was the television, blaring the football game. And there was Jesus in the other chair, with the popcorn bowl on his lap, rooting for the underdog.

Though horrified in the dream, the lady awoke laughing and laughed all day. The dream was for her, and taught her how she might go about reaching her husband!

He's with us every step of the way, even in front of the television, "leading us into paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

And the words also instruct us as to how we should feel at his coming. The conjunction "for" connects us with the previous verse: "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of a great joy...." The sheep of his hand exist not in fear of his judgment, but in joy of his providence. He came once to die, but he is returning soon to reign!

And that's what the prophecy we read from Isaiah is all about. He was born, yes; for

Yahweh sent a Word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.

But like MacArthur, Jesus will return. And when he does,

the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called The Prince of Peace. Of his government there shall be no end, established with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.

How will that happen? The prophet continues,

The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will make it happen.

It could be today!

The Words Tell Us When the Savior First Came - "This Day"

1. Today! Such incredible news for expectant lowly Bedouin shepherds. They left their sheep to tell everyone of the blessed event until we ourselves have heard the news!
2. Though ever so enlightening, the news is yet so condemning for us today, who like to hear the old, old story time and again, but who still can't or won't "noise it abroad."
3. For one day soon that we call "today" he will emblazon the skies, and this time,

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. (Rev 1:7)

You've met the child. Every one of the 19 words in our verse have magnified him and extolled his virtue. Today, have you received him as your Savior? Have you been filled with his Holy Spirit? Does your faith in him reflect your actions?

If so, you're ready to meet the coming King with joy. Trade in your microscope for a telescope, for he is just over the farthest cloud. Despite all the hubbub of Christmas, Santa Claus (St. Nicholas) will not be returning to the earth this Christmas or any other until he returns in the great cloud of witnesses accompanying Yahshua Tviot. You'll see them both then.

We think of our final hymn as a Christmas carol, but it really is a song about his second coming in power. (It is "Joy to the World.")

May each heart find peace and joy in believing the glad message of his Yahshua's birth. And as we sing, it is my hope each will receive an added blessing and assurance as we consider his soon coming. (#392)

Jackson Snyder, 1/3/93