Today’s devotional is by Dallas Theological Seminary Associate Professor Eugene Pond.

Born a Beacon

“Therefore Pilate said to Him, ‘So You are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth.’” (John 18:37, NASB)

There could be no more dramatic scene. Pontius Pilate, the one Roman able to acquit or condemn, faced this castigated Jew whose life was demanded by His enemies. The procurator was turned into a witness to Jesus’ innocence— “I find no fault in this man”—and yet he succumbed to the pressure of being accused of disloyalty to Rome and ordered the crucifixion of the Christ.

The baby swaddled in the manger was marked for sacrifice since before He was born. His name of Jesus meant that He would save His people from their sins. The promises and warnings to Mary. The prediction of Simeon. The proclamation of John the Baptist. Jesus’ own predictions of His death and resurrection. The hatred of His own people. The prophetic purpose of God the Father in Isaiah 53 that all our sin would be laid on this Lamb of God.

Jesus was born a king, and yet the king had to die to redeem all sinners. Gethsemane proves that He did not have a death wish, but He had the will to obey God unto death. All of His life, starting with the Christmas events, culminated in His confrontation with Pilate and the execution that was ordered. Jesus went on to declare that “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice,” indicating the element of faith that His kingdom requires. Pilate’s answer of “What is truth?” fell far short of that required faith.

All mankind continues to be confronted with this call to truth: that Jesus was born to die for our sins, and we need to accept that sacrifice as counting for us. He was born a beacon to mankind, the light of the world, the baby marked for redemptive death, the one who draws us to God and who lives as our king.

Today’s devotional out of Dallas Theological Seminary is written by a theology prof named J. Lanier Burns. He was just coming upon the scene at DTS when I was headed out into the ministry world, but he has made a great impact upon thousands of students and the world of biblical scholarship beyond Dallas. And here too is another theme of a baby who would make a difference beyond his humble entrance into the world.

The Baby Who Threatened the World

“When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” (Matthew 2:3, NIV)

Jesus was born in the Roman Empire in a time of peace and prosperity, a time of literary giants such as Virgil and Ovid. But the most prominent headline was in Bethlehem rather than Rome. A baby—of all things—stirred political leaders, wise thinkers, the angelic hosts, and cosmic alignments!

Wise men from the east interpreted an extraordinary star as sign of the advent of the “king of the Jews.” They made the difficult journey to worship the creator of the universe, seeking salvation in a baby in Bethlehem. Most improbable but true!

The word spread like wildfire and reached no less than “Herod the Great,” king of Judea. Herod’s reign was characterized by ruthlessness: he murdered his wife, his three sons, and anyone who threatened his insatiable thirst for power. Herod assembled chief priests and teachers of the law for information about the “baby who would be king.” In a rare stroke of wisdom, they noted the prophecy: “Out of you [Bethlehem] will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel” (Matt. 2:6, Mic. 5:2, 4). Most improbable but true! Not Rome, or at least Jerusalem, but Bethlehem!

Insanely jealous, Herod deceitfully searched for the child, so that he could “worship him.” But God summoned His heavenly intelligence service to care for the wise worshippers and the young family. The wise men were warned in a dream and returned to their country. An angel of the Lord instructed the family to flee to Egypt, because the haunted king would try to eliminate the child (Matt. 2:16). No one understands the insanity of sin better than God!

Hallelujah! The saving child brought us salvation by faith (Col. 1:19-20). A baby stirred the empire, its leaders, wise thinkers, angels, and the universe! Most improbable…but absolutely certain!

Today’s devotional was written by Professor Stanley Toussaint, whom I knew during my time at DTS – a man who was also a part of the establishment of the Dallas church where I served as minister of music. He was a very godly man and scholar, and he used to like to joke about his name, saying, “I’m not just one saint, I’m two saints!”

Justice to Victory

“A battered reed He will not break off, and a smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory.” (Matthew 12:20, NASB)

At first blush this verse seems to be out of place in the Christmas devotional booklet, but it has everything to do with the birth of the Lord Jesus. He was born in humble circumstances. No armies guarded the infant Jesus. So it was in His ministry; He humbly retreated when faced with opposition (Matthew 2:14, 22; 4:12; 12:15; 14:13; 15:21; 16:4; 21:17). In Matthew 12:14 the Pharisees took counsel how “they might destroy Him.” The Lord’s response was not to fight and make a big scene, but simply to retire from them. This was exactly as Isaiah 42:2–3 predicted.

In fact, Christ humbly dealt with “battered” reeds and “smoldering” wicks. Reeds were cheap and dispensable. A smoldering wick could be quenched with a squeeze of the thumb and forefinger. Matthew 12:19 further states He would not cause a loud public clamor in the streets.

This is a description of Christ’s earthly ministry in weakness. 2 Corinthians 13:4 says, “He was crucified because of weakness.” A crucial point in Matthew 12:20 is the adverb “until.” The construction in the Greek NT gives an impression of some indefinite future time. In this age we are still seeing the weakness of Christ—the blaspheming of His name, the mocking of Christians, and the flaunting of disobedience to the point of lasciviousness. However, one day this will change when He returns to reign and “He leads justice to victory.” Although great power is revealed in the gospel (Romans 1:16), the whole world still lies in the Evil One (1 John 5:19).

Jesus is our example (1 Peter 2:21). We are not to be brawlers but quietly and gently to be His servants. As Paul stated, we are to eat our bread in quietness (2 Thessalonians 3:12). What a gentle Christmas reminder Matthew 12:20 is.

Our yearly calendar really does revolve around Christmas and the beginning of the new year, like it or not. And we are into that season now as we head toward Christmas Day in three short weeks.

This devotional today is written by Mark Bailey, the current President of Dallas Theological Seminary. He was a good friend during my doctoral studies years and even came to preach once for me at my former church in New Jersey. He is also the brother-in-law of musician Steve Green. Some TSF people are still around to remember the time we did a backup choir for a Steve Green Christmas Concert at the Maryland Theatre … 1996, I think.

How Christmas Changed the Calendar

“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.” (Colossians 1:21–23, ESV)

There is a slightly carnal side of me that enjoys the fact that every time an unbeliever or an atheist dates and signs a check or another official document they are having to give credence to the fact that over two thousand years ago something dramatic happened that ultimately changed the way the world keeps track of time.

On archaeological signs in Israel you will find dating as BCE or ACE. BCE means “before the common era,” and ACE means “after the common era.” Sometimes just CE is used for the “common era.” These are nonreligious designations since to use BC (before Christ) or AD (Anno Domini, the year of our Lord) would link the dating to what really changed the world—the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who really is the Lord. Those who don’t believe Jesus is Messiah and Lord just don’t want to go there. Ironically, the dates are all the same regardless of the designation one uses. Hence it really is Jesus who defines the eras.

At a more personal level, Paul in Colossians 1:21–23 shows the change Jesus brings into our lives as he describes what life is like before and after Christ changes our birthday spiritually.

Without the incarnation there could be no death and resurrection—hence no good news as to how we who were born into this world with a nature tainted by alienation, hostility, and evil behavior could be reconciled, declared righteous, and one day, stand before Him in holiness. All of this happens as a result of our second birthday, our spiritual birthday when we trusted Christ by faith. The connections between gospel proclamation, personal faith, steadfast living, and hope are held together because of what happened as a result of that first Christmas.

As I related to those who were with us yesterday at Tri-State Fellowship, I’m going to share with you three weeks of devotionals written by associates at Dallas Theological Seminary. There will be a total of 15 short writings – many by people I’ve known over the years.

This first writing really picks up on the theme of our sermon series: “Expectations: Surpassing Humble Beginnings.”  Our holiday series looks at a variety of Bible characters (including Jesus) who were born in humble circumstances, but who accomplished great things through God’s power.

This first writer – Josh Bleeker – directs the DTS extension program in Washington, D.C.  I don’t know him personally, though probably I should … not only because of the DTS and nearby connection, but because I have many cousins of this name.

A World Leader from a Wee Little Town

“‘As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah—from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past.’” (Micah 5:2, NET)

His parents labored through poverty, drifting through small towns. After graduating from West Point, the Army twice denied his request to assume a post overseas. If you’re looking for power, you should look elsewhere.

However, during WWII, Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower ascended to supreme allied commander in Europe with five-star general status and, after the war, to President of the United States from 1953–1961. His military and political savvy helped defeat Hitler and made him arguably the most powerful head of state in the world.

Ike was born in Denison, Texas, and raised in Abilene, Kansas. Both towns slumber in the shadow of substantially more powerful neighbors. Dallas dwarfs Denison, as does Kansas City to Abilene. Yet, their citizen changed the world.

Relatively speaking, Jerusalem dwarfs Bethlehem. If Judah was planning a power play in Micah’s day, they’d hardly start there. It’s as quaint as Denison. And as Nathanael asked about another small town in Jesus’ story, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46).

It’s all too much to believe except for a small detail. King David, the hero who changed the nation of Israel, hailed from Bethlehem (1 Samuel 17:12). Then the Lord promised another king, a righteous and just one. Certainly, Judah rejoiced at this news, for she suffered under perverse and crooked leaders (Micah 3:1–4, 9–12). Yet, the Descendant of David would change the nation and the world.

Another key detail shapes the vision of Bethlehem’s citizen extraordinaire: His “origins are in the distant past.” Christ’s claim on changing the world resides in eternity, not geography. And He calls us into His worldwide service, based not on our hometown, but on hope in Him alone.