The Statement

And speaking of soapboxes, do you realize how many situations of sinfulness we focus on, when it's really the sin that's the problem?  As I studied for teaching the coming of Jesus, I became enamored with the simplicity of the shepherds part in that coming.  Shepherds were the low of the low and these had the night shift.  "And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them."  Ok!!  Do you get the picture here?  AN ANGEL!!  Not the warm and fuzzy blonde headed sparkle puffs our world calls angels.  This is an angel of the Lord and he is more like a super hero.  And if that was not enough, "the glory of the Lord shone around them".   We are speaking here about light that blinds.  However, this is not the "simplicity" part to which I'm referring!

After the shepherds do what the angel tells them (and you must keep the rest of the picture in mind...that "suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host praising God")  And the shepherds were very obedient: "let us go straight to Bethlehem"; "they come in a hurry".  But here's the part I like:   "they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child."  What statement?  Go back to the angel appearing (verse 10 & 11, chapter 2 of Luke), "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."  The statement?  "There has been born for YOU a Savior...!!!"  Savior!!  What do we need to be saved from?  SIN!  Sin is the problem.  We have been provided the solution.  God, in the person of Jesus Christ, came to save His people from their sins.

We must not focus on the different categories of sin that SIN causes!  We must pray that people recognize their need for a Savior.  And like the shepherds in all of their beautiful, crude simplicity: "When they had seen this, they made known the statement!!!!"  Make known "the statement"!!  Everyone who claims the name of Jesus as their Savior, make known the statement.  Time is short!!  We have no time to waste!!!

Too Many Soapboxes

Do you ever want to turn off your mind?  I was having one of those conversations in my head with nobody about something that irritates me, you know, soapbox time.   The dictionary gives the following definition of a soapbox: a box or crate used as a makeshift stand by a public speaker; figurative  a thing that provides an opportunity for someone to air their views publicly.  So, as I went on and on (and I'll have to say I was suppose to be relaxing at the time) it occurred to me that I have way too many soapboxes.  And then it hit me: no wonder I feel so much pressure, those things are heavy.  I think it's time for a bonfire!!