The Shadow of the Cross Over The Manger

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

This is an unusual portion of Scripture to use at Christmas.  But today I am stirred by the thought that from the birth of the Baby Jesus in the manger, a dark but real shadow of the Cross was looming.  I know and understand that the Cross was the most positive event in history and the point of the redemption of mankind. Yet, for the son of God to get to that point required the son of man to persevere through all the temptations common to us all. Hallelujah! He did it and his overcoming life redeemed all of us who have believed on His Name! While we don't need to  pay the price for our salvation again, only Jesus could do that, we do need to walk in the overcoming life to finish our race in Him.  What can we learn from the victorious life of Jesus as a man filled with the Holy Spirit?

First Jesus fought through the temptations of the enemy to compromise the will of God for his life.  Then he ran his race with endurance.  One of the primary ways he was able to run with endurance was focusing on the end result of his life mission.  He saw his faithful completion of his task as a point of joy.  Although he despised the shame associated with his assignment, the joy pressed him through the personal cost. His end result was that He was and is seated at the right hand of God in heaven.  

We are all looking forward in life to that point in time when we are welcomed into the Presence of God for an eternity of celebration around the throne of God.  But we have to endure until the end to get there.  As a part of our Christmas celebration, let's use the Christmas story as a motivation for the year ahead.  Let us begin by laying aside weights and sins that have hindered us in the past year.  Then, let us set our sights on Jesus and his finished plan for us.  Let's commit ourselves to winning this race by living a life in the Joy of our salvation for what is ahead.  May we despise sin and temptation around us and pray for deliverance from the traps of the enemy as we persevere toward our prize, the Lord Jesus!

Merry Christmas and a Victorious Overcoming New Year!