Empty Symbols
Selected Scriptures
January 31, 2023
We come today obviously to the close of the year.
It is also that unique period of time between Christmas and the New Year.
• Some are still traveling.
• Kids are out of school.
I decided to wait a week before jumping back into our study of Isaiah,
And of course we are having a service of testimonies tonight.
So this morning I just wanted to share a little
Regarding a thought that has been on my heart
Throughout this year’s Christmas season.
And I want to discuss this morning what we might call “Empty Symbols”.
That may conjure up images of Isaiah’s preaching in your mind.
Isaiah 1:11-12 “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” Says the LORD. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. “When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?”
In view of that, one might be tempted to think
We are going to discuss hypocritical acts of worship.
That certainly is a worth-while topic of discussion
• As more than one has fallen prey to placing their hope in empty acts of
worship.
• It is certainly a sin to worship the shadow instead of the substance.
• It is a sin to put the focus on the symbol instead of on Christ.
But that is NOT what I mean by “Empty Symbols” this morning.
Rather, this morning I want us to consider that
The main earthly symbols of Christianity have one thing in common, and that is that they are all of them…EMPTY.
And furthermore I want us to CONTEMPLATE
What that means for us as believers in this world.
We’re going to look at the 3 most recognizable symbols of Christianity
(and actually in reverse order.)
I want to start the conversation with the one you are most familiar with.
#1 THE EMPTY TOMB
Luke 24:1-6 “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee,”
It is without doubt the most popular “empty symbol” of all Christianity.
And certainly the church today should understand
The significance the tomb being empty.
It is very simply the reality that although Christ died on the cross,
He did not stay dead, but rather God raised Him from the dead.
Understanding this significance is foundational to Christianity.
A good reference verse to consider is:
Romans 4:25 “He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”
Often times we sing the hymn:
“Living He loved me, dying He saved me, buried He carried my sins far away. Rising He justified freely forever, One day He’s coming, Oh glorious day.”
And certainly we love and sing that hymn.
But the phrase “Rising He justified” can be A LITTLE MISLEADING.
Christ DID NOT justify us by rising from the dead.
Christ justified us through His death on the cross.
It was on the cross that Christ bore the sin of the elect.
It was on the cross that Christ justified them through His death.
The resurrection validates the cross.
One could almost sing that verse, “Rising He was justified”
He wasn’t raised to produce our justification, but rather as Paul states in Romans 4, He “was raised because of our justification.”
The resurrection proved that Christ was in fact sinless.
The resurrection proved that Christ was in fact pleasing to God.
Peter preached in:
Acts 2:24 “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.”
Why was it impossible for Christ to be held in the power of death?
Because the “wages of sin is death” and Christ had no sin.
We may witness the death of Christ on Friday
And have incredible hope that He is there atoning for us,
But if He stays dead we will never know.
HIS RESURRECTION PROVES
He is sinless, perfect, and truly unblemished as God requires.
He is acceptable to the Father as substitute for sinners.
Because He has no sin of His own to atone for,
He is free to atone for others.
Without an empty tomb Christianity falls apart.
TURN TO: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:12-19
• There are 6 negative realities listed there by Paul that are true if Christ has not been raised. It is certainly worth noting them here quickly.
1) The Christian Mission is Pointless (14)
“If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain…”
• What do you hope to accomplish in your Christian mission if Christ is not the savior that you say He is?
2) Believing in Christ is Pointless (14)
“your faith also is vain.”
• If Christ has not been raised and His cross did not succeed, then what exactly are you believing?
• If He didn’t atone for your sin then what are you trusting in?
3) The Bible Isn’t True (15)
“Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.”
The apostles testified of the resurrection.
• If it didn’t happen, they are liars.
• If they are liars then the New Testament they wrote is also a lie since in it they testify that Christ was raised.
• Toss this book if Christ is still dead.
4) Forgiveness Isn’t Possible (17)
“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.”
THE ENTIRE CHRISTIAN HOPE IS THAT
Christ has freed us from our sin by paying the debt against us.
Colossians 2:13-14 “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”
Paul said that Christ “canceled out” our debt.
• He nailed His righteous body to the cross in exchange for our sin debt.
• He was the payment offered to God on that cross.
• But if Christ is dead, how do we know God accepted that payment?
• In fact, if Christ is dead we know He didn’t.
• There is no forgiveness if Christ was not raised.
5) Dead Christians are in Hell (18)
“Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.”
Everyone who placed their trust in Christ and then died in that belief is now in hell.
• There was no atonement.
• There was no forgiveness.
• They forsook their works in order to put all their hope in Christ’s righteousness.
• If He wasn’t raised then it wasn’t true and they weren’t saved.
6) Christians are Fools (19)
“If we hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”
In other words, if we cling to Christ knowing that all He has to offer are the benefits of following Him in this life, then we are fools.
Following Christ had bought Paul nothing but persecution and hardship.
He had been treated terrible for following Christ.
And if that is the only benefit, with no eternal reward,
Then following Christ is stupid.
THE EMPTY TOMB CHANGES EVERYTHING.
Because Christ was raised
We now know that the ultimate consequence of sin (death) has been defeated.
Believers will no longer be consigned to death
Because Christ has saved them.
Hebrews 2:14-15 “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”
Revelation 1:17-18 “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.”
There is no fear of death now for believers.
• We are not filled with anxiety for what awaits us there.
• We know that because Christ lived, we will live also.
• We know that He is the first fruits and we will be raised in like manner.
A Christian may die but they can’t stay dead.
They are clothed in the righteousness of Christ
And that is “A DEATH NULLIFYING RIGHTEOUSNESS”.
We fear no eternal judgment in hell because Jesus conquered the grave.
Now, as followers of Jesus, because the tomb is empty
We have hope in the midst of our suffering.
THAT IS TO SAY, That even though this life is hard,
We have hope that passes beyond this life.
1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”
Martin Luther wrote:
“The body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.”
Paul said:
Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
• Paul saw death as a promotion.
• He knew that the glory that awaits made the present suffering totally worth it.
THE EMPTY TOMB CHANGES EVERYTHING.
And because the tomb is empty,
We know Jesus is alive to perform a continuing ministry on our behalf.
Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
John Owen wrote:
“the main foundation of all the confidence and assurance whereof in this life we may be made partakers (which amounts to “joy unspeakable, and full of glory”) ariseth from this strict connection of the oblation and intercession of Jesus Christ; – that by the one he hath procured all good things for us, and by the other he will procure them to be actually bestowed, whereby he doth never leave our sins, but follows them into every court, until they be fully pardoned and clearly expiated, Heb. ix. 26. He will never leave us until he hath saved to the uttermost them that come unto God by him…in this connection it is a sure bottom for a soul to build, Heb. vii. 25. “What good will it do me to be persuaded that Christ died for my sins, if, not withstanding that, my sins may appear against me for my condemnation, where and when Christ will not appear for my justification?…Our sins dare not appear, nor any of our accusers against us, where he appeareth for us.”
(Owen, John [The Death of Death In The Death of Christ; The Banner of Truth Trust; Carlisle, PA 2020] pg.74-75)
What Owen says there is this:
If the Christian wants true assurance,
• It comes from the fact that not only did Christ die for us,
• But also that He now lives and appears for us before the Father.
• Through Christ’s death He obtains all good things for us
• And by His intercession He causes those good things to be actually given to us.
• He says that Christ never forsakes His atoning work.
• He follows our accusers into every court until we are cleared of all charges.
Owen says that this is the foundation we rest on.
What good would it do us to know that Christ died for my sins if my sins might still show up in court without Christ there to defend me?
No! says Owen. “Our sins dare not appear, nor any accusers against us, where he appeareth for us.”
Since Christ lives to intercede, our sins stand no chance!
And this is possible only because He lives.
The Empty Tomb changes everything.
And that symbol I am certain you are aware of.
• There is another empty symbol that you are certainly aware of, and I hope you understand why it must be empty.
#2 THE EMPTY CROSS
Again, just by matter of formality, we read:
John 19:38 “After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body.”
• We read how the body of Jesus was removed from the cross after His death.
• He was buried in Joseph’s tomb, and 3 days later He was raised
But the reason that we must insist still upon an empty cross
Is because the Catholic church
Insisted on putting Him back up there.
I CANNOT STATE THIS CLEARLY ENOUGH but one of the most BLASPHEMOUS and IRREVERENT symbols of our culture is the crucifix.
The crucifix is the Catholic depiction of Christ still on the cross.
• It hangs on as a pendant as countless necklaces in our world.
• It is hung as a sculpture in countless cathedrals in the world.
• It is depicted in countless tattoos and other religious art.
It is the occupied cross with Christ still upon it.
Why is this such a blasphemous picture or symbol?
It is blasphemous because of the theology behind it.
A Catholic Priest named John O’Brian wrote a book entitled: “The Faith of Millions: The Credentials of the Catholic Religion.”
“When the priest announces the tremendous words of consecration, he reaches up into the heavens, brings Christ down from His throne and places Him upon our altar to be offered up again as the victim for the sins of man. It is a power exercised by the priest greater than that of saints and angels, greater than that of seraphim and cherubim. Indeed, it is a power greater even than the power of the Virgin Mary. While the Blessed Virgin was the human agency by which Christ became incarnate a single time, the priest brings Christ down from heaven, and renders Him present on our altar as the eternal victim. The priest brings Christ down from heaven and renders Him present on our altar as the eternal victim for the sins of man, not once but a thousand times.”
(quoted by John MacArthur in his sermon: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/90-318/explaining-the-heresy-of-the-catholic-mass-part-1)
Did you catch that?
You might have thought that the Catholic Mass was just their version of our Lord’s Supper, ABSOLUTELY NOT!
The Catholic church believes that during the Mass,
• The priest in effect orders Christ to come down from heaven and get back on
the cross.
• He must pay for your sins again and again and again.
This is why it is essential to them to believe that
The sacraments actually becomes the body and the blood of Jesus.
IT GETS WORSE.
O’Brian goes on:
“The priest, speaks, and lo, Christ the eternal and omnipotent God bows His head in humble obedience to the priest’s command…Of what sublime dignity is the office of the Christian priest who is thus privileged to act as the ambassador and the vice-regent of Christ on earth? He continues the essential ministry of Christ. He teaches the faithful with the authority of Christ. He pardons the penitent sinner with the power of Christ. He offers up again the same sacrifice of adoration and atonement which Christ offered on Calvary. No wonder that the name which spiritual writers are especially fond of applying to the priest is that of Alter Christus, for the priest is, and should be, another Christ.”
(ibid)
They actually consider the priest to be “another Christ” because of the atoning work he is said to be doing for you when you take the Mass.
That is blasphemous heresy!
It is a total mockery of the work of Jesus Christ upon the cross.
WHY? Because on the cross Jesus said what?
John 19:30 “Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”
Jesus said “It is finished!”
He did it all there.
TURN TO: Hebrews 10:10-14
You see it 3 times there in that passage.
• (10) “once for all”
• (12) “having offered once sacrifice for sins for all time”
• (14) “for by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”
THE CROSS IS EMPTY.
What Jesus did on that cross was so sufficient
That He never has to do it again.
We vehemently oppose any teaching that puts Christ back on that cross
As though His death was somehow insufficient.
If you are listening to that podcast “Men Who Rocked The World” by Steve Lawson then you may have heard about John Rogers.
• John Rogers was the man who finished Tyndale’s translation of English Bible
after Tyndale was martyred by Henry VIII.
• John Rogers was the first of what are called “The Marian Martyrs” (those put to
death by Bloody Mary).
• He was burned at the stake.
Do you want to know what doctrine it was that cost him his life?
He refused to consent that the sacraments
Actually become the blood and body of Christ.
That is, he refused to consent that Jesus ever needed to suffer again.
“I was asked whether I believed in the sacrament to be the very body and blood of our Savior who was born of the virgin Mary and hanged on the cross. I think it to be false. I cannot understand really and substantially to signify otherwise than corporally, but corporally (in body) Christ is only in heaven.”
(cited by Steve Lawson at the 37:19 mark: https://men-who-rocked-the-world.simplecast.com/episodes/the-life-and-work-of-john-rodgers-KNnZ2vFx)
In other words Rogers said, “Christ can’t be physically present in the Mass for Christ is physically in heaven at the Father’s side.”
And for that, he was burned at the stake as the first of the Marian Martyrs.
IF THE CROSS IS NOT EMPTY CHRISTIANITY FALLS APART.
If Christ has to be sacrificed over and over and over again
That would only stand to reason that His sacrifice is impotent and weak,
For that is all the Old Testament sacrifices ever accomplished.
Hebrews 10:1-3 “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year.”
Those sacrifices did nothing for us
And we know that because we had to keep bringing them.
Could not the same be said of Christ if the Catholic heresy were true?
I would tell you that if we had more time here
I would also call into question the ARMENIAN VIEW of the cross
Which says that Christ died for all men potentially and no man actually.
They say (as though they are so magnanimous and reverent) that “Christ died for everybody!”
And yet at the same time, (because they refuse the heresy of universalism,)
They also say that not everyone for whom Christ died goes to heaven.
They say that sinners, (because they fail to aid Christ’s work or activate Christ’s work or finish Christ’s work by their own belief); actually nullify Christ’s work and thus go to hell even though He died for them.
What manner of weak and impotent atonement claims that
Christ died for people and paid in full the sin-debt of people
Who still go to hell and pay for their sin?
If that is your view of the atonement then it is a very weak view indeed,
For in that view, by saying that He died for all,
In reality you are saying He died for no one in particular.
WE SAY HOWEVER, Christ died for the elect, and on the cross He totally and sufficiently redeemed them.
His death was so effective
That not one of their sins will ever arise against them again.
He paid in full and He purchased our redemption.
Actually – Totally – Finally – Eternally
And we praise God that He will never need to do it again.
THE EMPTY CROSS CHANGES EVERYTHING!
Romans 8:1 “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Isaiah 53:11 “As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities.”
• Christ did it.
• He completed it.
• He finished it.
J.I. Packer writes:
“Christ is a Redeemer who really does redeem.”
(Owen, John [The Death of Death In The Death of Christ; The Banner of Truth Trust; Carlisle, PA 2020] pg.5)
• Not temporarily
• Not potentially
• BUT ACTUALLY
That cross is empty and it never needs to hold Him again.
And perhaps you are familiar with both of those Christian symbols
And why they must be empty if we are to have any hope from them.
But there is a third, which may not be quite as obvious to you, but in our day and time it is quite important that you know this one too.
#3 THE EMPTY MANGER
This is certainly obvious to us as well, as we know that the baby grew up and certainly did not sleep every night in that feed trough where He was first laid.
But by an empty manger, even more than that we mean that
He is no longer in the position of His humiliation.
That manger is the ultimate symbol of His humiliation
As we have often said in recent weeks.
Philippians 2:5-8 “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
• We read about there being no room for Him in the inn.
• We know about Him being born in a stable and laid in a manger.
It was just insult to injury.
• That not only was He humiliated to become human at all.
• But He came as a baby.
• He was a baby who would be a servant.
• He was a servant who would die as a criminal.
• It is utter humiliation.
BUT THAT MANGER IS EMPTY.
That is to say that HIS HUMILIATION IS OVER!
TURN TO: ACTS 2:29-36
This was Peter’s sermon at Pentecost
• The climax of the sermon came as Peter announced that this Jesus who was mistreated and mocked and held under contempt by man is no longer in such a lowly position.
Peter says that Jesus was “exalted to the right hand of God”
• (36) “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ – this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Paul taught us that too:
Philippians 2:9-11 “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
IF THE MANGER IS NOT EMPTY CHRISTIANITY FALLS APART
To leave Christ in the manger
• Is to forever consign to Him shame and dishonor.
• It is to deny that He is the sovereign reigning King
• It is to ignore His promise to return to reign on the earth.
And this is precisely what our world has sought to do.
The world continues to look upon Christ
As though He is nothing more than
A humiliated, impotent suffering beggar.
He is seen as weak and helpless and consigned only to beg and plead with sinners to please just accept Him.
He is portrayed as some wearied traveler who is desperately knocking on the doors of hearts just hoping someone will open it up and let Him in.
He is still clothed in Herod’s robe of mockery and still crowned with Pilate’s humiliating thorns.
He is totally susceptible to whatever men want to do with Him and far too kind and meek to ever offend anyone.
AND THAT IS NOT WHO HE IS AT ALL!
He is Lord of Heaven and Earth!
He is seated at the right hand of the Father!
He isn’t some weak and helpless beggar
Mildly knocking on hearts just hoping someone will let Him in.
Jesus, in His sovereign prerogative,
Blows the doors of sinful hearts right off of their hinges.
He came to this earth and He died on the cross to purchase His bride
And by His sovereign power He calls Her to Himself
And she does not resist.
“All that the Father has given Me will come to Me!” He says.
I love John Owen’s picture of Christ as the intercessor.
He says that when Christ goes before the Father, It “is not a humble, dejected supplication, which beseems not that glorious state of advancement which he is possessed of that sits at the right hand of the Majesty on high, but an authoritative presenting himself before the throne of his Father, sprinkled with his own blood, for the making out to his people all spiritual things that are procured by his oblation, saying, ‘Father, I will that those whom thou hast given me be with me where I am,’ John xvii. 24.”
(Owen, John [The Death of Death In The Death of Christ; The Banner of Truth Trust; Carlisle, PA 2020] pg. 65)
Owen says that “Regarding those for whom Christ died He does not tip-toe before the Father as He asks for them.”
Christ goes boldly before the Father,
Clothed in a robe covered in His own blood where-by He purchased His bride and He declares to the Father, “I will that those whom thou has given me be with me where I am” (John 17:24)
If He does with such boldness before the Father DO WE ASSUME that He goes cowardly before those whom He has chosen to save?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
He boldly calls men to Himself.
TURN TO: PSALMS 110
(This, by the way, is the New Testament’s favorite Psalm)
It inspired the entire book of Hebrews.
Do you see that first verse?
“The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’”
It speaks of Christ’s exalted position
And the subduing of His enemies.
1 Corinthians 15:25 “For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.”
Who are these enemies we are talking about?
Well look around the room.
Romans 5:10 “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
Colossians 1:13-14 “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Titus 3:3-7 “For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
And when Christ came to save you, how did He approach your heart?
• Was He some meek and mild impotent Savior just wringing His hands hoping
you would want Him?
Of course not!
He kicks in the door of the carnal heart and convicts its sin
And draws that sinner to Himself.
“Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.”
Christ broke into our dungeon, subdued our hearts, and set us free!
AND NOW HE REIGNS THERE!
Look at the rest of the 110th Psalm.
• Do you see the sovereignty He has been given?
• Do you see what God will do to those who refuse to bow to Him?
He is no longer enduring the judgments of men
As though He will ever answer to a single one of them.
But every man will answer to Him.
God has made Him Lord and Christ and given Him the name above every name; and every knee will bow to Him.
He is no longer that weak and broken servant in a manger.
He is the glorified and exalted King!
Revelation 1:14-17a “His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man.”
Revelation 19:11-16 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Do you remember when He confronted the church’s chief persecutor?
Acts 9:3-5 “As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,”
This lowly infant…
This meek and mild disciple…
This suffering servant…
THAT WAS FOR A SEASON.
THE EMPTY MANGER CHANGES EVERYTHING!
It is not an option whether or not you bow to Him.
It is not an option whether or not you would serve Him.
It is demanded.
Furthermore, it will happen!
Acts 10:42 “And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.”
Acts 17:31 “because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
One final passage:
TURN TO: PSALM 2
• You should be aware by now that Verses 1-3 represent His humiliation and suffering on earth.
• We see the evil men there who determined to crucify Him and cast His authority off of them.
But, God exalted Him!
(READ 4-9)
Christ is not on some ballot lifted up for you to vote for Him or not.
It is not as though man has the choice.
God has already exalted Him!
He is seated at the right hand of the Father!
The manger is empty, the throne is occupied.
And He is returning to judge those who refuse to submit to Him.
And with that we have ONE FINAL PIECE OF ADVICE to this world.
(READ 10-12)
That is the message.
We go to this world with an empty cross and tell them that Jesus is an actual savior who died to actually redeem sinners.
We go to this world with an empty tomb and tell them that Jesus was vindicated by the Father and His sacrifice is true.
We go to this world with an empty manger and tell them that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father. He is Lord and Christ and they must repent of their sin and trust in Him.
Those are the empty symbols of Christianity.
And we as the church praise Him for all three!
