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Covenant Service (3 of 4)
Series: Advent
Marion Clark
Luke 1:73-75
Introduction
We have been using Zechariah to give us insight into how Christ's birth can be viewed through a Jewish perspective. We are doing this not simply because it is interesting to consider how different types of people bring new perspective to Jesus. We do it, because it is in a distinctly Jewish context that the first Christmas occurred. Jews today regard Christmas as a Gentile Christian event, and with all the Gentile cultural traditions that have been added over the centuries it has lost much of its Jewish character. The result is that we miss out on some of the nuances that would enrich our appreciation for Christ's birth.
We looked first at Covenant Fulfillment, how Christ's birth fulfilled ancient prophecy and the promise God had made to his people to send the Messiah. God is a covenant keeper, and what makes Christmas more exciting is to discover that through Christ, the covenant would be extended to include peoples of all nations and races. Furthermore, God is a promise keeper, and, if he kept his promise the first time to send the Messiah, he will keep his promise to send our Lord one more time. Every Christmas should include a stirring of the hope of Christ's return, just as every Passover was intended to stir the hope of the Messiah's first coming.
We looked next at Covenant Mercy. God is a merciful God who does not give up on his covenant people. Again, what makes Christmas exhilarating is that it extends God's mercy to peoples and nations outside the first covenant. We Gentiles are like poor children peeking through the window of a mansion, watching the family children open their gifts on Christmas morning. Suddenly we find the father standing behind us. But instead of him running us off, he ushers us into the house and presents us with wonderful gifts as well. The mercy of God opens the door for us.
This morning, we consider Covenant Service. So far, Zechari ...
Series: Advent
Marion Clark
Luke 1:73-75
Introduction
We have been using Zechariah to give us insight into how Christ's birth can be viewed through a Jewish perspective. We are doing this not simply because it is interesting to consider how different types of people bring new perspective to Jesus. We do it, because it is in a distinctly Jewish context that the first Christmas occurred. Jews today regard Christmas as a Gentile Christian event, and with all the Gentile cultural traditions that have been added over the centuries it has lost much of its Jewish character. The result is that we miss out on some of the nuances that would enrich our appreciation for Christ's birth.
We looked first at Covenant Fulfillment, how Christ's birth fulfilled ancient prophecy and the promise God had made to his people to send the Messiah. God is a covenant keeper, and what makes Christmas more exciting is to discover that through Christ, the covenant would be extended to include peoples of all nations and races. Furthermore, God is a promise keeper, and, if he kept his promise the first time to send the Messiah, he will keep his promise to send our Lord one more time. Every Christmas should include a stirring of the hope of Christ's return, just as every Passover was intended to stir the hope of the Messiah's first coming.
We looked next at Covenant Mercy. God is a merciful God who does not give up on his covenant people. Again, what makes Christmas exhilarating is that it extends God's mercy to peoples and nations outside the first covenant. We Gentiles are like poor children peeking through the window of a mansion, watching the family children open their gifts on Christmas morning. Suddenly we find the father standing behind us. But instead of him running us off, he ushers us into the house and presents us with wonderful gifts as well. The mercy of God opens the door for us.
This morning, we consider Covenant Service. So far, Zechari ...
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