Pastor's Perspective Articles:

April 2008: Elder Phil Steckmann
March 2008: Elder Ed Gann
February 2008: Elder Rob Wiggins
January 2008: Elder Dr. Steve Stephens
December 2007: Elder's Perspective
November 2007: Thankful for Broken Things
October 2007: God Rubs Off
September 2007: Have you ever gotten it wrong?
August 2007: Belize Journal, July '07
July 2007: What's the picture of the church?
June 2007: Making the Complex Simple
May 2007: Majesty

December 2007: Elder's Perspective
by Elder Wes Friesen

Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?

The Christmas season is upon us, and it's easy to become caught up in the "trappings" of Christmas and lose sight of the true meaning and purpose. Jesus is the "reason for the season", and we want to individually and collectively celebrate His humility in coming to earth for our benefit. To help set a biblical foundation as we enter the Christmas season, allow me to share a few scriptures that I have found to be an encouragement.

One helpful passage is Philippians 2:5-8 which says:

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!"

I remember when my daughter Amy was young we had a discussion about the most important holiday. I suggested that Easter was the most important because it celebrates the cross and the empty tomb, the source of our salvation. Amy countered that Christmas was the most significant holiday. Why I asked? She replied that without Christmas, there could not have been Easter (not bad logic for a little girl!)

Why did Jesus humble Himself and come to earth? We can get the main answer to this question from the mouth of Jesus. Luke 19:10 (speaking about Himself) Jesus said:"“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

And Jesus is quoted in John 3:16-17

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."

Jesus loves you and me so much He was willing to leave the comfort and majesty of Heaven to come down to earth as a little baby, and ultimately pay the penalty of our sins on the cross. He did that so all who believe in and receive the gift of salvation He provides, can have our sins paid for. And have a personal relationship with Him. Wow!

Once we have received Jesus as Savior, then what? There are a number of scriptures that help answer that question, but here are some thoughts from 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again … All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation … And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us …"

We have the privilege to represent Jesus and help others find the reconciliation with God that we received. Our church will have some regular and special events in the days ahead that we can use to help reach out to those that need Jesus.

May you have a wonderful season of celebrating Jesus birth, and worshipping Him for who He is and what He has done for us! Merry Christmas!

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