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A few years ago we received news from our friends Richard and Brenda that their new little grandaughter was going to be called Destiny. Many years ago saintly Simeon looked into the face of a little boy just eight days after he was born into this world. This was truly a child of destiny. The words of our text as recorded by Luke, underline the fact. Here was someone so significant, and so unique that the outcome of people's lives would be determined by their relationship to him. No other child has ever been born in human history who has been so decisive in the destiny of so many people. No other person has ever been established as the benchmark for salvation on one hand, and damnation on the other hand. The issues of justification and judgement proceed from the same authority. Yes, this is none other than the Son of God. He was the long awaited and often promised Messiah. He is still the Lord of Lords and one day he shall reign King of Kings. Simeon's prophetic utterance actually presents our Lord Jesus Christ as the Stone, the Sign, and the Sword. The words of our text emphasise the truth regarding Christ the Stone.
He is to the Apostle Peter the chief corner stone, elect, precious... 1 Peter 2 verse 6. Here is
"The Royal Stone." Here is the one God has appointed as the one by whom people's lives sink or rise in this life and in the life to come. God sent him into the world providing a foundation on which every life may build its hopes, salvation and security for time and eternity. Those who responded to him experienced the lifting power of his arm whither they were fishermen, like Peter, James and John; tax collectors, like Zacchaeus: demon oppressed, like Mary Magdalene or the Gadarene; or religious teachers like Nicodemus. John's gospel, chapter 3. But oh how many people confronted by the same majestic life, fell headlong to a Christ rejector's eternity. To them he became the stone of stumbling and the rock of offence. Through unbelief and disobedience to the Word of God they sealed their destiny for despair. We have the mighty Herods, the cowardly Pilate, the rich young ruler, the betraying Judas, and the religious enemies of the Saviour. The shroud of a dark eternity envelops them as they glide off the pages of the Bible to their eternal doom. It may be that some one reading this brief message has never thought seriously about the significance of the Christ's birth, life and death for them. What will you do with Jesus who is called the Christ? Reject him and you will fall eternally. Receive him and you will rise eternally. This child is set for the fall and rising again of many... Which will he be for you? We wish all our website visitors a very blessed and happy Christmas. Thankyou for visiting the site during the past year. There is always much more going on than we present here, so do keep us in your prayers.
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Due to be updated: end January Archived Messages.
11/10/03 Watchman - Guilty or Guiltless?. |