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Jesus! (No Surprise)

The world was surprised at the birth of Jesus but’¦ it was not an accident of history that Jesus was born of a virgin in Bethlehem of Judea.

The birth of Jesus and His life and suffering, death and resurrection was all according to plan’¦the plan of God.

As my regular readers know this series about Jesus is not a Bible study but an emphasis on the person of Jesus that we may know Him and fall in total love with Him. I will leave all the scripture references for your study. Many thousands of books have been written on the prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus.

I just want to say that from Genesis throughout the Old Testament time and again the Holy Scriptures spoke of prophecies concerning the coming Messiah. So nothing that happened to Jesus from His conception in the womb of Mary through His life and death and resurrection and ascension was an accident or unexpected. The will of the Father was fulfilled in the Son. Every step Jesus took and every decision was an extension of His love and grace. All was to be!

At the right moment in this world’s history the Savior came! From the manger of Bethlehem Jesus came with a mission to ‘seek and to save those who are lost’. Jesus came to establish His Church, His bride.

From His birth Jesus was headed for the cross. Jesus said over and over that He was to be crucified and die and then be resurrected. He knew the religious leaders would reject Him. He knew His destiny’¦the cross. Yet He lived and loved and healed and saved. He faced rejection and suffering for us.

Nothing that ever happened to Jesus was not in the plan. Read His words and you will see.

Yet what Jesus knew did not lessen His hurt, pain and suffering. He knew Judas would betray Him yet it hurt. He knew all His disciples would forsake Him yet He still felt the pain. Jesus knew the cross was before Him but in Gethsemane He sweat drops of Holy Blood in agony! Jesus went to the cross having known of it before the foundation of the world yet the suffering was real and horrible.

He even knew He would experience the ultimate horror of the cross while bearing our sins, when He cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me’. Jesus had never sinned. Jesus had never before experienced separation from the Father! On the cross the sins of the world were put upon Him. The Bible records these awesome words that cause us to sit in stunned silence:

“ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.’

(2 Corinthians 5:21 in the Holy Bible)

What an exchange! What an exchange!

Jesus was not just reacting to people and events. He had a mission and purpose and to that end He lived and gave it His all.

It was for me He came. It was for you Jesus came to this earth.

Many songs and even sermons emphasize what worthless sinners we are. Many wonder that we are worth the sacrifice of Jesus. But just ask the Father if we are of great value. The answer is yes. We sinners were and are worth such value that Jesus gave His life and suffered in death for us! Jesus was not wasting time on trash. Jesus wants you in His family for all eternity. You were made in the image of God and He wants to restore you to your proper place.

Now it may be a surprise for you to read this message of glorious news but God has planed this moment for you.

Come to Jesus now and ask Him to be your Savior and Lord. Come into the Kingdom of God now! Repent, believe, receive, Glory!

With renewed vigor let us as followers of Jesus go forth to proclaim the message Jesus given us to deliver.

As you now celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus just know that it was no surprise to the plan of God. Everything happened as it was planed to be. All glory to God.

We worship and adore you Jesus our Lord for you are worthy!

Oh the wonder of your love!

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt

Luke 18:1