A few years ago, my wife and I along with my cousin and her husband traveled out West. It was absolutely beautiful and we had the best time exploring and site seeing. But there were a few times when we would be on a stretch of highway that seemed to go on forever. The landscape was flat low scrub as far as the eye could see in every direction. The straight two lane road had barely a ripple or a dip or a passing car. It was monotonous. It appeared we would never close the distance to the barely visible mountains on the horizon. The only thing closing the gap was the needle on the gas gauge toward empty. We did eventually reach the mountains, cooler temperatures, and a gas station with restrooms.
For some, 2020 has been like that very long road. No matter which direction they look, the landscape is bleak and barren. Closing the gap on much of the turmoil that’s going on both in our country and the world seems too great. And, some are running on empty without hope.
Christmas reminds us that God left eternity to enter His own creation as one of us. He came as an infant born in the humblest of circumstances to a young virgin named Mary. The road he traveled is the same birth to death road that every generation has followed since the fall of Adam. However, Jesus traveled that road with these exceptions. His was aways focused ahead on pleasing God the Father. He was perfectly obedient to God the Father in every way and He knew what was waiting for Him at the end of His earthly road.
Fueled by the Holy Spirit, the perfect God/man, Jesus closed the distance between eternal death and eternal life with our Creator God. Jesus’ road lead to His sacrificial death and payment for our sin. Sin alienates us from any relationship with a perfect God. For three days He endured a landscape devoid of God. That is the eternal punishment we all deserve because of our sinfulness. Jesus took on our sin in exchange for His perfection in order that we might become pleasing and acceptable to God. This exchange happens only by a personal faith in the saving work of Jesus. And, only then are we made perfect in God’s eyes. He no longer sees our sin but Jesus perfection.
As a result of Jesus perfect obedience to God. God was pleased to raise Jesus from the dead and give Him authority and power over everything on earth and in heaven. He is the mountain on every believers horizon.
So Christian, as you travel this road, fueled by the Holy Spirit, keep your eyes on the mountain. He is closer than you think. Only He can bring true peace and comfort during and at the end of your road. Share that knowledge with those you might meet along the way.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11