Mat 2:18 “A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN, AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE.”
Ever thought that there was rejoicing on account of Jesus birth at the same time weeping & wailing too in a city”
Just a brief understand of Herod and the Message of Christmas penned down below for our inspiration. On account of Jesus birth many children below the age of two was killed. The people who desperately waited for the Messiah had to now wail over their children who lost their lives so brutally. Only Jesus was able to comfort the irreparable loss. The statistics says that 70 in every 1000 children born in India do not see their first birthday. 95 in every 1000 children born in India do not see their fifth birthday. And approximately 1.83 million children die on account of various causes. How often these numbers and figures makes no meaning to us. And occasion like Christmas becomes just a celebration and honouring everyone and everything else beside the Messiah, and that too with reduced love or with no Love at all. Pro 15:17 says “Better is a dish of vegetables where LOVE is than fatten ox served with hatred”
A brief Understanding of Herod
Herod was an Edomite, enmity to Israel was bred in the bone with him. Doeg was an Edomite, who, for David's sake, slew all the priests of the Lord 1Sam 22:9; 18. The history says that Herod put to death several of his own children and some of his wives whom he thought were plotting against him. Emperor Augustus reportedly said it was better to be Herod’s sow than his son, for his sow had a better chance of surviving in a Jewish community. The usage of the country forbade him to kill a swine, but nothing could restrain him from killing his son. It was also seen that Herod had killed his own sons Alexander and Aristobulus and then his Son Antipater after this, but five days before he himself died. What we see also that the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15 comes to fulfilment. And then our responsibilities to restore the Christmas Message in our times.
1. The Message of Christmas is the message of Salvation
Luk 2:11 For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord You are wretched because of your sins. Rom 7:24 “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death” God understanding the stage of our helplessness had to make a provision so that we live a victorious life. We are wretched because of the guilt that we possess due to the Result of our Sin. Psychologist says that are about 175 Symptoms of guilt
o Socio economic breakdown. work became difficult & tiresome on account of sin by the first Man
o Physical dysfunction like sleep and sexual. Stress, Anger (BP)
o Emotional dysfunction self-hatred and self-loathing,
o Relational dysfunction in conflict and attempts to control others
And only God is big enough to help us and save us from our wretchedness. Then in Jer 5:25 it says “Your sins have withheld good from you.” Most often we assume it is the circumstances and our failure that have clogged the blessings from the Lord, forgetting the presence of the sin that is present in us. Unless the saviour is born in our hearts, we shall die in our sins as said in John 8:24 The soul will keep hunting till you have Jesus in the empty place. Let us not distort the message of Christmas with the external, but rededicate our lives afresh by believing and accepting the lordship. Acts 15:9 “… Cleansing the heart by faith” By your heart purged and cleansed you make Christmas more meaningful to you and to others
2. The Message of Christmas is about Sacrifice and paying a Price.
1Pet 1:20 “For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but has appeared in this last times for the sake of you”. Knowing that the SON is going to be on the cross still came to the earth for making a way for us. The infants in Ramah who became the first infant martyrs paid the price to welcome Jesus Mat 2 18 in this world. What have you paid so far? God does not want the external as this earth and that contains therein belongs to the Lord. It is seen in 1 Sam 24:24 David Paying price “Surely I will buy it from you for a price, I will not offer burnt offering to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.” What are you going to sacrifice for the sake of the Lord Jesus. The Most common verse John 3:16 “God so Loved the world that he gave His Son” Greater love means greater sacrifice and paying a price.
3. The Message of Christmas is about the message of Judgement
John says in Mat 3:10 “The axe is already laid at the root of the trees therefore every tree that does not bear the fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Do not forget that we are also accountable to Him Rom 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” We are living in a time where both reverence and fear of the Lord is obliterated. May the Lord help us to understand the accountability for us at first, then for others and accept the great salvation with reverence. In the busyness of the celebration do not belittle or neglect the great Salvation came to us through His Son Jesus Christ.. Heb 2:3 says “how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”
4. The Message of Christmas is the message of sharing the good news to others
Luk 2:10 “good tidings and great joy which shall be to all people.” A common verse that is recited so fluently but sadly the celebrations and Carols makes no more meaning, as it is only shared among ourselves forgetting that there are still about 60% and above who have not heard the Gospel even for the first time. Who shall go to them? Forget about going to them most of the time we forget to exemplify Christ by our walks, talks and by our attitude. Can we this year seriously become an epistles that can be written in every hearts and read by all men and pass on the Salvation and message of Christmas meaningfully as said in 2 Cor 3:2. May God bless you and wish you a meaningful Christmas and a Blessed New Year 2012