God has made a way!

There is a beautiful worship song by Brandon Heath and Tasha Layton entitled God made a way – away in a manger!

Recently, near to where I live, many people gathered together in the cold, wind, rain and dark to witness the Christmas lights being turned on. In St Anne’s square in central Manchester, coinciding when the Christmas markets are on, there is a nativity outside St Anne’s church that is shown every year.

When the time is right, it is lit revealing baby Jesus and all the individuals within a nativity scene and continues until the start of Epiphany in early January.

In 2013 it was unfortunately vandalised but thankfully soon restored. Thanks Alamy

In Isaiah 41 v 14 -16 we read that Jacob, known as Israel and humans without God are like “worms and insects” ready to be consumed and defeated.

Isaiah 42 v 1 – 7 is the first of four Servant Songs. In Matthew 12 v 14 – 21 it refers to the earthly life of Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah: God’s Servant. In verse four of Isaiah 42 the servant Jesus was not going to fail or be discouraged and would go forward to establish justice throughout the world.

In verse six, the Messiah is given to all as a new covenant to the people as “a light to the nations” that brings release and healing to all who are imprisoned in whatever way.  

Jesus had the power to destroy all his enemies but in his humble and patient life, ministry and resurrection he brought forth transformation for all who believe in him, just like that light shining and pushing away all the darkness around it.   

The late Queen Elizabeth and the present King Charles accepted that their kingship was one based on being a servant to those they ruled over and lived with.

As ordinary “worms and insects” we can be transformed into beautiful servants of the Lord in whatever human situations we find ourselves in. Thanks npr.org

In John 1: 4, we have the account of Jesus in whom “was life and light and he was to be a light of all people“. He was also “the light of and for the world” as found in John 8: 12.

When we enter a house with no lights on we look for the switch to turn the lights on and if there is someone else with us to guide us to that switch, that is very helpful. John the Baptist is the one who guides us to Jesus who is the truth, light and the way as found in verse 29, “behold the Lamb of God”.

In recent days and months you may have been in situations where you have looked up and saw the stars in the mesmerizing and clear sky when we have been freed from all the light pollution that we find in big cities.

I remember a time when I was on a mission camp in Spain a few years ago and I saw all the bright and fading stars up in the clear sky. I followed the light and trial of a plane that was travelling from one place to another and was fascinated to think as to where it was from and where it was going to and who would be on board the plane. I also recall a time when I was in Uluru (Ayres Rock) in Australia and I observed the South Star that was similar but in a different area from the normal North Star that I would have seen in Europe.

There are two thoughts I want to share with you.

1) The life of Jesus is transformative and God made a way – away in a manger, a death on a tree and a stone rolled away.

There are times when we might feel like a fading star, spiritually, who has seen better times and seasons as a result of not seeking God’s continual and renewing blessings.

On the other hand you might feel like a bright light and star that is shining strongly all the year round not just at Christmas, so exhibiting God’s radiant light for those in darkness to appreciate and gain from?

2) Think about how you live and serve and fulfil your earthly calling?

You may feel like a worm and insect but God wants us to be like Jesus, a servant to all we live with and a King and Queen redeemed and restored because God has made a way through Jesus.

In 2 Corinthians 3: 18 it reminds us that we can be transformed from one degree of glory to another reflecting the radiance and light of Christ to all we live with and serve.

Trust you have experienced a peaceful Christmas and pray that you may have a joyous New Year. Enjoy listening to that lovely worship song by Brandon Heath and Tasha Layton God made a way. 

Graham