December 14
The celebration of Christmas is reflected in our “playlists” that include everything from “Joy to the World” to “Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas,” and from “Silent Night” to “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band-Aid.
The music of Christmas spans both joyful and contemplative songs, but beneath the celebration lies a deeper question: Why do we celebrate Christmas? What motivated the Son of God to come to earth? Even before Jesus’s birth, many expected the Messiah to be a military leader like David or Judah Maccabee, someone who would deliver the Jews from Roman rule.
The Jews wanted a victorious military leader and God’s judgment on their enemies. Today, people are on a quest for power, wealth, comfort, gratification, the self, etc. The Gospel of Mark, rather than focusing on the manger, emphasizes Jesus as the Sovereign Servant. Mark 10:45 tells us what was driving Jesus, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The same point is made elsewhere in Scripture: “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21), “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost,” (Luke 19:10), “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17), That was his goal and it could only be accomplished through death. The Son of Man’s miracles, teaching, and life must be seen in the light of this singular purpose, “to give his life as a ransom for many.” God sent His Son to die for our sins.
Jesus did not come to create a holiday; he came to serve you and me. He became a man to die on a cross. He gave up his life (Mark 10:45, 32). He drank the cup (Mark 10:38). He paid the ransom (Mark 10:45). The exalted Son of Man humbled himself to become our Suffering Servant. Trust Him and his death for the forgiveness of sin and guilt. This service of the Son of Man brings hope.