MANY THOUGHT they knew the President until that day.
Edward Everett had taken the podium at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania before him—and spoke for two hours.
America had just come out of a brutal civil war in which over 300,000 lives were lost.
When President Lincoln took the stage, he had a lot to say, but his remarks were only for three minutes.
Many people belittled them. They felt that his words were too few until they read them on the newspaper pages.
Jesus was a man of few words too.
The Narrative
WHEN ISAAC was placed on the altar, he was a picture of the failed human race.
The knife was before him. He wasn't a perfect sacrifice, and God gave Abraham a lamb. (Genesis 22:9-13)
Humanity needed someone to take their place—and that's the story of Christmas.
WHAT WILL BE your reaction when all you've planned lifelong comes?
When the hour came, Jesus‘ words were few. He cried out that the Father will glorify him that the Son may glorify the Father. (John 17:1)
He knew that his essence was to be revealed, and he acknowledged the Father's Will.
Your essence of living is to worship the Father.
When anyone says that a movie glorifies violence, they want everyone to pay attention to what the film is about.
Jesus said the prayer so that everyone will laud what he has done—and as a result, men and women will ascribe glory to Him.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. (Psalm 113:3)
THE CROSS was about the worth, the wisdom and the attributes of God.
It's the way we see God and the way he interacts with us.
Jesus Christ is the reason we can ask the Father anything. And when we accept Him, we receive eternal life. (John 10:27-28)
He said, "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began." (John 17:5)
We must understand that he did not become more glorious at the cross. He was already glorious before he came to die.
MANY OF US are so self-focused that we find it difficult to appreciate how good God is.
His blood could have paid for our sins without him having to go through the horrendous death.
He could have saved us in any way he chooses, but he died to show us how to obey God.
He humbled himself and became obedient unto death—the death on the cross. (Philippians 2:8)
Many people are afraid that if they obey Him, they will lose something.
They forget that walking in disobedience is an indication of a lack of trust.
But God wants them to trust Him and leave the consequences to Him.
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
HOLINESS is not valued until God is understood.
If we fail to make God known in our generation, we create the disappearance of Christian beliefs.
Now that you know that God loves you, it's time to act on His Word.
Have a Merry Christmas!