"THE BABY!"

JOHN 1:1-14

A few years ago, a tiny baby was born. This baby had been in the hearts of her parents long before she would be in their arms. When the day came for the birth it was with great anticipation that the family and friends waited. When that little life entered this world it was immediately obvious that all was not well. The little girl child was afflicted with a formidable condition known as Spina Bifida, or open spine. Since the hospital in the community was not adequate for treating such a syndrome, the little one and her father were whisked by ambulance to a larger city where a more up to date University Hospital was available. The little girl's mother had to remain in the birth hospital. When the ambulance arrived at the University Hospital, the father was greeted by a doctor who promptly examined the frail little girl. His words were discouraging. He pointed out the frailty of the baby, the extreme expense of surgery, the stress such things put on marriages which often ended up in divorce, and the multitude of follow-up surgeries. He pointed out the likelihood of mental retardation and of the slim chance the little girl would ever walk, let alone survive. His advice was to simply let the little life slip away. Years ago another little Babe was born. A boy child. Forces even more malign and powerful arrayed against Him: the Christ-child. Satan tried to destroy the nation Israel through which He would come! Herod sought to slay the infant after birth! The high priest, Caiaphas, said that it was expedient that Jesus should die and at last those to whom He came crucified Him. Hear John's account:

1. JESUS IS UNRECOGNIZED AND REJECTED: VV9-11:
   
   
1. This was no fluke; God knew it would happen before Christ was conceived in the virgin's womb.
1. Isaiah 53:1-3 "Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him."
2. Luke 2:34-35 "And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, 'Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed - and a sword will pierce even your own soul - to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.'"
2. Why? Why did people reject Him?
1. Herod rejected Him because of paranoid jealousy that this newborn king would usurp his throne.
2. The religious leaders rejected Him because they were jealous of his following among the people, and because He went against the grain of their manmade dogma and tradition.
3. The nation rejected Him because He did not fit their notion of what Messiah ought to be! They expected a kingly conqueror who would militarily boot Rome out of their country.
4. People today reject Him because:
1. They pridefully think they can be good enough without Him.
2. They think that all the Christ there is resides deep within the human heart.
3. They consider Him to be a fictional character out of Jewish mythology.
4. They don't take seriously that He is the only begotten, virgin born, crucified, buried and physically resurrected Son of God, appointed by the Father to be the ultimate judge of all humanity.
5. They think He will mess with their lifestyle, upset their applecarts, and challenge the autonomy with which they've become accustomed to running their own lives.
3. Understand this: nobody can be neutral about Jesus and nobody can avoid making a decision about Him.
1. Luke 11:23 "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters."
2. To decide to not decide about Jesus is a decision against Him.
4. Some didn't recognize Him and rejected Him. But what have YOU done with Jesus?

The doctor told the father what he ought to do with that wee baby girl. But she whom the doctor rejected, the family accepted. Dad said, "We are Christians and that's out of the question! You do whatever you can do and we'll leave it in God's hands!" This was his daughter and she was not indispensable! Just so, in spite of the fact that some rejected Him, there were also those who accepted this Baby Son of God and took Him into their lives and hearts. See what John says.

2. JESUS IS BELIEVED AND RECEIVED: VV12-13:

1. Note some specific instances of His acceptance:
1. When Joseph and Mary brought the 8 day old babe to the Temple, Simeon took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart In peace, according to Thy word; For my eyes have seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, A light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Thy people Israel." Luke 2:28-32.
2. Anna, the godly old prophetess, came to Mary and Joseph and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:38.
3. Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist, was preaching, and saying, "After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals." Mark 1:7.
4. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." John 1:45.
5. After Jesus spoke to Nathanael, Nathanael answered Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel." John 1:49.
6. When some disciples left Jesus, He said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life." John 6:68.
7. Zacchaeus came down from his tree perch and received Jesus gladly. Luke 19:6.
2. Our reception of Jesus Christ by faith makes all the difference in this world and the one to come!
1. John 1:12 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,"
2. John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
3. John 8:24 "I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins."
4. John 11:25-26 "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.'"
5. Acts 10:43 Peter preached, "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins."
3. It is a matter of faith one way or the other: to reject or to receive is an act of one's belief.
4. Some believed and received Him. But what are YOU doing with Jesus?

The doctor knew what he'd do with that little girl; he said, "Let her just die." Dad said, "Do what you can do!" So surgery was performed, and though there were many stresses and many surgeries and many miles were put on the family car in securing treatments in the following years and though life was a hard row to hoe, the family so cherished this little bundle that it was all worth it. And that little girl began to grow and to mature and to develop far beyond any of the doctor's pessimistic prognostications. If somehow, someday you could see her, you'd marvel at the glorious, gracious young lady she has become! Someday every eye will behold Jesus as He truly is, and will marvel at His glory! And many will marvel that anyone could reject him! Here's what John says about him.

3. JESUS IS GLORIOUS AND GODLY: V14:

1. He manifests the glory of the Father!
1. He is the Word made flesh, Emmanuel: God with us, Incarnate deity!
2. "And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation." Colossians 1:15.
3. "And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power." Hebrews 1:3.
4. We see His glory in the miracles He wrought.
5. We see His glory in the lessons He taught.
6. We see His glory in the sinless life He lived and the majestic death he died and the triumphant resurrection he achieved..
7. He who was once rejected by many, received by a few, Jesus who was crucified, is now glorified, King of all kings!
2. He is full of grace:
1. Grace is the Love of God we haven't, don't, and never will deserve.
2. Grace is the free offer of God to do for us what we could never do for ourselves.
3. Grace comes to us in Jesus Christ.
3. He is full of truth:
1. He said, "I am the truth."
2. Truth is that which is, independent of what anyone thinks, or says, or decides about it.
3. Jesus taught the truth and lived the truth. There was no hypocrisy, phoniness or deception in Him.
4. It is the truth that He lived and taught that sets all who believe it absolutely free from error and ignorance.
4. God glorified Him, but what will YOU do with Jesus?

The family decided they'd do all they could to keep that little girl and she grew into a lovely young Christian. She manifests the grace and charm and beauty of Jesus. Tragically, her Daddy was killed in a car crash and never got to behold the delightful young lady she has become. But you may today. Let me introduce her to you. Come here, Anna. This is the baby the doctor said to let die. This is the baby whose Daddy said was in God's hands. This is the baby grown to be a display of God's powerful handwork. She is the living manifestation of the grace and mercy and power of our Savior! She is going to sing a song right now that is our invitation hymn. As Jesus, the unrecognized baby, was placed in a manger because that was where there was room for Him, make room for Him in your life. As Angels, shepherds, Mary, Joseph and all believers have loved Him through the ages, love Him today. As Anna sings, recognize the Power of God to do for you what He did for her. He gave her life -- physical, abundant, and eternal -- and then come to Him as we sing the last 2 verseswith Anna. He'll do for you what He has done for her!

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