NEWS & THOUGHTS ARCHIVE

Responding to the Saviour

Evangelist Dr. Bob Sanders
December 1, 2009

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Take a moment to read the story of our Saviour’s birth in Luke 2:6-16.

As we read the account of the birth of our Lord and Saviour, of the many truths that are projected from this account, one is, “Some things have not changed in two thousand year. One such thing that has not changed is “Man’s response to the Saviour!” Please note the response of the masses of that day, “there was no room” vs.7. The word “no” is an absolute negative meaning nay, neither, never, no, none, nothing. The word “room” means a spot generally in space but, limited by occupancy. Please take a moment to get the thrust of what is being said by this four word phrase! “While there may have been a small space for something to be inserted, there is definitely no space for a person!” This truth is again revealed in John 1:4-5, & 10-11, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

 We see the same thing today!

We have room for sports, but not room for the Saviour.

We have room for gold, but not room for God.

We can make room for everything, but a person and His name is Jesus! 

But, Thank God, that is not the end of the story! There was a small group of people that desired to see Him. “Let us now go . . . and see this thing.” vs.15 “Let us go” means to traverse, come, go abroad, everywhere, throughout, walk through. The word “see” means to see by implication to know, to behold, consider, perceive, or understand. Looking closely at these definitions we can see three things.

There is the intensity of the search – to traverse everywhere

There is the interest of the search – to know or behold

There is the identity of the search – this thing

What is meant by the phrase “this thing.” “This thing” means an utterance, a matter or topic, saying or word. Please get the thrust of what is being said! “Let us do whatever it takes to find and behold the word or the topic of the heavenly host!” Great light is shed upon this truth when we read John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” While it may not have been the response of the masses, there was a group, a minority that wanted to find Him!

The question that we must ask ourselves is, “For those that want to find Him, the Word, the talk of Heaven, how can he be found?”

(I) The Shepherds Were Lead By the Sovereign

“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:9-10

God will speak to those that have a desire to find Him. While He will reveal Himself, all men do not seek after Him. “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” Proverbs 14:1 & 53:1 The word “fool” means stupid, wicked especially those that are not conscientious in religious practices. Fools help make up a class of people that cannot and will not come to know Him. But, for those that have an open heart and an open mind to know Him, God will make Himself known! An example of this truth is seen in the life of Abraham, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went” (Hebrews 11:8). Abraham had a heart that was open to receive the truth about God. 

(II) The Wise Men Were Lead By the Star

“We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” Matthew 2:2 While the wise men make reference to “his star”, the truth is that they are all his! Everything that is seen is His! “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3 “In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 The Psalmist when speaking of the starring heavens said, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1). There are some that will not be lead by the handy work of God, “Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water” (II Peter 3:4-5). The word “willingly” means to be determined, to choose or prefer, to gladly wish. “Are ignorant” means to lie hid, unwittingly, unawares. Some people choose and prefer that God stay hidden and remain unawares of His presence. Yet for those that have an open heart for God, all of creation speaks of Him and points toward Him. 

(III) Simeon Was Lead By the Spirit

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,  Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:” Luke 2:25-29 Having total knowledge of the events of that day, the Holy Ghost brought Simeon to meet the Saviour. The Holy Spirit always leads men to Christ, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” John 15:26 The Spirit has come into this world to call out a bride for His Son. The Spirit will reveal the Saviour to all who will diligently seek Him. 

(IV) Anna Was Lead By Supplication and Service

“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” Luke 2:36-38 Anna drew near to God through the means of supplication and service to God. The word “prayers” means a petition, it comes from a word meaning to beg as binding oneself, beseech, make request or supplication. Anna not only bound herself to Him in word, but also in work! The word “served” means a hired servant, to minister to God, to render religious homage. God honored her faithfulness and passion by allowing her to be there the day our Lord was brought to the temple. 

(V) Seekers Are Lead By the Scriptures

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” John 5:39-40 The Jews sought to kill Jesus because they did not know who Jesus was! Jesus said, “ye will not come to me.” If they had wanted to come to Jesus and know Jesus, they could have found their way through the Word of God. Jesus said that the scriptures testify of him. The word “testify” means to be a witness, give evidence, give a good and honest report. If you want to be lead to Jesus, just investigate the Word of God and you will find Him.

While the masses may not be seeking out the Saviour, for those that desire Him, they can be led to Him by the: Sovereign, stars, Spirit, supplication, and the Scriptures. The question that we need to ask ourselves is, “Do we want to see Him?"

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