Would you walk with me as we travel through this holiday landscape towards Christmas just as two disciples once found themselves on the road to Emmaus?
Perhaps, like those like-minded travelers, we are a little dazed and confused by the events of the season where Jesus Christ has been removed from much of the social scene and replaced with non-offensive symbols, empty traditions and generic spirituality. Oh, sure, Jesus is still remembered from time to time, but the figure of Christ that the world puts before our eyes is often so distorted that we do not even recognize Him anymore.
Who is this “TV Jesus” that speaks “cool lines” that are “theologically plausible,” but outside the inspired word of God? What are we to make of the “Transgender Jesus” that is defended by a Cambridge dean as a “legitimate” viewpoint? And why are people laughing at the “Meme Jesus” in social media who wears swag gear and sunglasses to make hip, coarse jokes?
No wonder people are losing the true joy of the season! Are we to believe that this common depression is solely due to a seasonal affective disorder during shortened winter days? Is it from unmet expectations of a romantic Hallmark Christmas that never materializes in real life?
More likely, as sincere believers, we are somewhat discouraged by the hype and idolatry that corrupts the very real and profound incarnation of our Lord and Savior and turns that joyous, historic event into the consumer-driven focus of tinseled pine, a jolly old elf, and a red-nosed reindeer. No wonder we sometimes speak to each other of spiritual weariness, melancholy, or confusion in the midst of this pretense. What happened to our once-clear view of Jesus Christ now obstructed by all these twinkling baubles in the world?
It is here that I find great comfort in thinking about the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, who were confused and saddened by what had transpired in Jerusalem with the unexpected death of Jesus. They, too, had momentarily lost sight of their Lord, but how gracious Jesus was to walk beside them in their hour of need.
Likewise, how marvelous it would be if the Lord Jesus would see us traveling along in a similar spiritual malaise this Christmas season and graciously draw near to us to ask, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?”
Then I, like Cleopas, would answer Him, “Do you not see what is happening in these days?” And He would say to us, “What things?” And I would say to Him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of the living God, who has been relegated to the icon of a plastic doll in a fictional nativity scene, surrounded by three kings of the orient, a drummer boy, and a talking ox; and how priests still deliver Him up to crucify him again and again to no avail. How can we still see the true Christ when the world has brought forth a Jesus of vain tradition that is too often confused with Santa Claus?”
And Jesus might say to us, as He did to them: “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?”
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounds to us in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. And again He says to us, “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me.”
And suddenly, as His words become a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, the dark confusion of this world and her many false Christs disappear from view, and we see Him once more in all His vivid glory as Lord and Savior:
He would be born of a woman: Genesis 3:15; Matthew 1:20; Galatians 4:4
He would be born in Bethlehem: Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-6
He would be born of a virgin: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 1:26-31
He would come from the line of Abraham: Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:18; Matthew 1:1; Romans 9:5
He would be a descendant of Isaac: Genesis 17:19; Genesis 21:12; Luke 3:34
He would be a descendant of Jacob: Numbers 24:17; Matthew 1:2
He would come from the tribe of Judah: Genesis 49:10; Luke 3:33; Hebrews 7:14
He would be heir to King David’s throne: 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 9:7; Luke 1:32-33; Romans 1:3
His throne will be anointed and eternal: Psalm 45:6-7; Daniel 2:44; Luke 1:33; Hebrews 1:8-12
He would be called Immanuel: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23
He would spend a season in Egypt: Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14-15
A massacre of children would happen at His birthplace: Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:16-18
A messenger would prepare the way for Him: Isaiah 40:3-5; Luke 3:3-6
He would be rejected by his own people: Psalm 69:8; Isaiah 53:3; John 1:11; John 7:5
He would be a prophet: Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:20-22
He would be preceded by Elijah: Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 11:13-14
He would be declared the Son of God: Psalm 2:7; Matthew 3:16-17
He would be called a Nazarene: Isaiah 11:1; Matthew 2:23
He would bring light to Galilee: Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:13-16
He would speak in parables: Psalm 78:2-4; Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 13:10-15, Matt. 13:34-35
He would be sent to heal the brokenhearted: Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:18-19
He would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek: Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:5-6
He would be called King: Psalm 2:6; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 27:37; Mark 11:7-11
He would be praised by little children: Psalm 8:2; Matthew 21:16
He would be betrayed: Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 11:12-13; Luke 22:47-48; Matthew 26:14-16
His price money would be used to buy a potter’s field: Zechariah 11:12-13; Matthew 27:9-10
He would be falsely accused: Psalm 35:11; Mark 14:57-58
He would be silent before his accusers: Isaiah 53:7; Mark 15:4-5
He would be spat upon and struck: Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 26:67
He would be hated without cause: Psalm 35:19; Psalm 69:4; John 15:24-25
He would be crucified with criminals: Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27-28
He would be given vinegar to drink: Psalm 69:21; Matthew 27:34; John 19:28-30
His hands and feet would be pierced: Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10; John 20:25-27
He would be mocked and ridiculed: Psalm 22:7-8; Luke 23:35
Soldiers would gamble for His garments: Psalm 22:18; Luke 23:34; Matthew 27:35-36
His bones would not be broken: Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:20; John 19:33-36
He would be forsaken by God: Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46
He would pray for his enemies: Psalm 109:4; Luke 23:34
Soldiers would pierce His side: Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34
He would be buried with the rich: Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60
He would resurrect from the dead: Psalm 16:10; Psalm 49:15; Matthew 28:2-7; Acts 2:22-32
He would ascend to heaven: Psalm 24:7-10; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51
Christ would be seated at God’s right hand: Psalm 68:18; Psalm 110:1; Mark 16:19; Matthew 22:44
He would be a sacrifice for sin: Isaiah 53:5-12; Romans 5:6-8
Thus, Jesus opens our minds to understand the Scriptures, and says to us, “Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things, for I am the Christ.”
In response we exclaim, Hallelujah! What great joy immediately returns to us as we meditate on the glory of Jesus Christ found in God’s word! For our eyes are now opened, and we again recognize Him for who He truly is, and we see and worship the true Christ regardless of the world’s mindless and blasphemous holiday distractions. Do we not say to each other, “Did our hearts not burn within us while He talked to us on this road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?”
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we walk down the road to Christmas Day, may we as joyful disciples draw alongside the true Jesus, our risen Lord and Savior, and learn from Him as He tarries with us along the way. Yes, sometimes it is hard to see Him in the dimness of this dark world; but through faith, our Savior is as real to us as if we saw Him with mortal eyes. To this truth, Peter so aptly reminds us:
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:6-9).
With this glorious thought in mind, I extend this hearty Christmas greeting to the fellowship of the saints who have apprehended the person of Jesus with the eyes of faith. May peace be with you all during this joyous season of hope in celebration of Jesus Christ come in the flesh, the true Light shining among mankind to bring salvation to those who would believe in Him. Amen!
