The Cross: The Heart of Christmas

 

Summary

In reflecting on the profound mystery of the Incarnation, it is essential to understand that the birth of Christ cannot be fully appreciated without considering His death on the cross. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, emphasizes that he glories not in the birth of Christ, but in His death. This perspective challenges the common tendency to sentimentalize Christmas, focusing solely on the nativity scene without acknowledging the purpose of Christ's coming. The world often embraces the image of the baby in the manger, idealizing it as a symbol of innocence and purity, yet it shies away from the harsh reality of the cross.

The cross is the focal point of the Christian faith, the key to understanding the entirety of Christ's life and mission. It is through the cross that we comprehend the depth of God's love and the seriousness of sin. The Old Testament prophecies, from Genesis to Isaiah, consistently point to a suffering Messiah, foreshadowing the necessity of His sacrificial death. The Incarnation, therefore, is not an end in itself but a means to an end—the redemption of humanity through Christ's atoning sacrifice.

Christ's journey from the glory of heaven to the humility of the manger and ultimately to the cross is a testament to the grace of God. He was made a little lower than the angels, not to teach or merely to set an example, but to die for our sins. His death was the ultimate act of obedience and love, fulfilling the righteous demands of God's law and providing a way for us to be reconciled to God.

The cross is the lens through which we must view Christmas. Without it, the birth of Christ loses its significance. It is the cross that gives meaning to the manger, transforming it from a quaint story into the pivotal event in the history of salvation. As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember that the true spirit of the season is found in the shadow of the cross, where Christ's love and sacrifice are most profoundly displayed.

Key Takeaways:

1. The cross is central to understanding the life and mission of Jesus Christ. It is not merely an event at the end of His life but the purpose for which He came into the world. Without the cross, the birth of Christ loses its significance, as it is through His death that we find redemption. [02:24]

2. The Old Testament consistently points to a suffering Messiah, highlighting the necessity of Christ's sacrificial death. From the prophecies in Genesis to the vivid imagery in Isaiah, the Scriptures foreshadow the cross as the means of our salvation. [12:55]

3. The Incarnation is not an end in itself but a means to an end—the redemption of humanity through Christ's atoning sacrifice. Jesus was made a little lower than the angels, not to teach or merely to set an example, but to die for our sins. [25:17]

4. The cross is the lens through which we must view Christmas. It transforms the nativity scene from a sentimental story into the pivotal event in the history of salvation, where Christ's love and sacrifice are most profoundly displayed. [35:10]

5. Christ's journey from the glory of heaven to the humility of the manger and ultimately to the cross is a testament to the grace of God. His death was the ultimate act of obedience and love, fulfilling the righteous demands of God's law and providing a way for us to be reconciled to God. [49:27]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Galatians 6:14
- [00:30] - The Significance of the Cross
- [01:02] - The Apostle's Glory in the Cross
- [02:05] - The Cross as the Center of Everything
- [02:57] - Understanding Christmas Through the Cross
- [03:42] - The Danger of Dividing Christ's Life
- [05:22] - The World's Misunderstanding of Christmas
- [07:32] - The Uniqueness of Christ's Birth
- [09:39] - Old Testament Prophecies of Christ's Death
- [12:24] - The Necessity of Suffering for Deliverance
- [18:08] - The Teaching of the Old Testament
- [20:40] - The Cross as the Object of the Incarnation
- [25:02] - The Meaning of the Incarnation
- [29:48] - The Grace of God in the Incarnation
- [35:10] - The Cross Explains the Incarnation
- [49:27] - The Journey of the Son of God
- [54:47] - Conclusion: Glory in the Cross

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 6:14 - "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
2. Genesis 3:15 - "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."
3. Isaiah 53:5 - "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Galatians 6:14, what does Paul choose to glory in, and why might this be significant in the context of the sermon? [01:02]

2. How does Genesis 3:15 foreshadow the coming of Christ and His mission, as discussed in the sermon? [09:58]

3. What imagery does Isaiah 53:5 use to describe the Messiah, and how does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on the cross? [13:44]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the world misunderstands the significance of Christmas? [05:22]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon interpret the Apostle Paul's focus on the cross rather than the birth of Christ, and what implications does this have for understanding the Christian faith? [01:02]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between Old Testament prophecies and the New Testament understanding of Christ's mission? [09:58]

3. How does the sermon explain the necessity of Christ's death for the redemption of humanity, and what does this reveal about the nature of God's love and justice? [25:17]

4. In what way does the sermon argue that the cross gives meaning to the nativity scene, transforming it from a sentimental story into a pivotal event in salvation history? [35:10]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on how you typically view Christmas. Do you focus more on the nativity scene or the purpose of Christ's coming? How might you shift your perspective to include the significance of the cross? [05:22]

2. The sermon emphasizes that the cross is central to understanding Jesus' mission. How can you incorporate this understanding into your daily life and spiritual practices? [02:24]

3. Consider the Old Testament prophecies discussed in the sermon. How do these prophecies enhance your appreciation of the Christmas story and its fulfillment in Christ? [12:55]

4. The sermon challenges the tendency to sentimentalize Christmas. How can you celebrate the holiday in a way that honors the true spirit of the season, as described in the sermon? [04:25]

5. Reflect on the journey of Christ from heaven to the cross. How does this journey inspire you to live out your faith with humility and obedience? [49:27]

6. How can you use the message of the cross to engage in meaningful conversations about the true meaning of Christmas with those around you? [35:10]

7. In what ways can you demonstrate the love and sacrifice of Christ in your interactions with others during the Christmas season and beyond? [29:48]

Devotional

Day 1: The Cross as the Fulfillment of Christ's Mission
The cross is central to understanding the life and mission of Jesus Christ. It is not merely an event at the end of His life but the purpose for which He came into the world. Without the cross, the birth of Christ loses its significance, as it is through His death that we find redemption. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, emphasizes that he glories not in the birth of Christ, but in His death. This perspective challenges the common tendency to sentimentalize Christmas, focusing solely on the nativity scene without acknowledging the purpose of Christ's coming. The world often embraces the image of the baby in the manger, idealizing it as a symbol of innocence and purity, yet it shies away from the harsh reality of the cross. [02:24]

Galatians 6:14 (ESV): "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from the nativity scene to the cross during this Christmas season, and how might this change your understanding of Christ's mission?


Day 2: Prophecies of a Suffering Messiah
The Old Testament consistently points to a suffering Messiah, highlighting the necessity of Christ's sacrificial death. From the prophecies in Genesis to the vivid imagery in Isaiah, the Scriptures foreshadow the cross as the means of our salvation. These prophecies reveal that the Incarnation was not an end in itself but a means to an end—the redemption of humanity through Christ's atoning sacrifice. The cross is the focal point of the Christian faith, the key to understanding the entirety of Christ's life and mission. It is through the cross that we comprehend the depth of God's love and the seriousness of sin. [12:55]

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV): "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."

Reflection: How do the Old Testament prophecies about a suffering Messiah deepen your appreciation for the cross and its role in your salvation?


Day 3: The Incarnation as a Means to Redemption
The Incarnation is not an end in itself but a means to an end—the redemption of humanity through Christ's atoning sacrifice. Jesus was made a little lower than the angels, not to teach or merely to set an example, but to die for our sins. His journey from the glory of heaven to the humility of the manger and ultimately to the cross is a testament to the grace of God. His death was the ultimate act of obedience and love, fulfilling the righteous demands of God's law and providing a way for us to be reconciled to God. [25:17]

Hebrews 2:9 (ESV): "But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone."

Reflection: Reflect on the humility of Christ's Incarnation. How does understanding this humility inspire you to live a life of service and sacrifice for others?


Day 4: Viewing Christmas Through the Lens of the Cross
The cross is the lens through which we must view Christmas. It transforms the nativity scene from a sentimental story into the pivotal event in the history of salvation, where Christ's love and sacrifice are most profoundly displayed. Without the cross, the birth of Christ loses its significance. It is the cross that gives meaning to the manger, transforming it from a quaint story into the pivotal event in the history of salvation. As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember that the true spirit of the season is found in the shadow of the cross, where Christ's love and sacrifice are most profoundly displayed. [35:10]

1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV): "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Reflection: How can you incorporate the message of the cross into your Christmas traditions this year to ensure that the true spirit of the season is celebrated?


Day 5: The Journey of the Son of God
Christ's journey from the glory of heaven to the humility of the manger and ultimately to the cross is a testament to the grace of God. His death was the ultimate act of obedience and love, fulfilling the righteous demands of God's law and providing a way for us to be reconciled to God. The cross is the focal point of the Christian faith, the key to understanding the entirety of Christ's life and mission. It is through the cross that we comprehend the depth of God's love and the seriousness of sin. [49:27]

Philippians 2:7-8 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Consider the journey of Christ from heaven to the cross. What steps can you take today to follow His example of humility and obedience in your own life?

Quotes


The world is ever ready to glory in the birth of Christ, but what it hates is the death of Christ. So there is a very real significance in this statement of the great apostle that he glories in the cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [00:01:17]

The cross, the death of Our Lord upon the cross, has always been an offense; it's always been a stumbling block. But it's the thing in which the great Apostle glories, and the reason he does so, as I've been trying to show, is this: that he finds in the cross the center of everything. [00:01:49]

The world likes Christmas, but it doesn't like Good Friday. It likes Christmas. Why? Well, of course, it can take that and it can idealize it and it can sentimentalize it. It's that sort of thing that it rarely likes, something semi-magical, as it were, as it thinks of it, something beautiful. [00:04:18]

The Old Testament is a book that looks forward to him; it points to him. The Old Testament is rarely a book of prophecies. Oh, but you said there's a lot of history in it. Of course, but the history is really bound up with this prophecy. Even the history of the Jews, which takes up the bulk of the Old Testament, it's nothing but a preparation for this person. [00:08:52]

The cross was the real object of the Incarnation. Now that's the unique message. Let me put it to you again in terms of the ninth verse in that second chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews that I read to you at the beginning. Listen to this: here's your Christmas message. [00:20:31]

The Son of God was made a little lower than the angel. In other words, the babe that is born in Bethlehem is the Eternal Son of God. God says this: men in times past had spoken to the nation of Israel by great men, by prophets and seers and patriarchs and people like that. [00:23:11]

The Son of God didn't come into the world in order to teach us. He did teach, but that isn't why he came into the world. He wasn't made a little lower than the angels in order that he might teach us. God could teach us, as he did, through prophets and through all the other ways that he adopted in the Old Testament. [00:26:12]

He was born in order that he might die. It is the cross that explains the Incarnation. I don't see why he should be made a little lower than the angel unless I understand the message of the cross, the evil of the world, and the evil in my own heart, and the righteousness of God and His holy law. [00:34:41]

The cross of the Lord Jesus Christ that alone explains the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, the babyhood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and all the miracle of him. It's the cross that alone explains it, for in order that, that's why he came. [00:35:14]

The cross is the very lowest point of the Journey of the Son of God. It is the focal point of his humiliation. It is the least depths that he ever reached. Have you ever thought about the Journey of the Son of God? Here it is: he starts from eternity. [00:49:19]

He was born in order that he might die. He came into the world to die, was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, that he by the grace of God might taste death for everyone. There's the limit of the descent, the lowest point conceivable. [00:53:39]

God forbid that I should glory, not even in the babe of Bethlehem, but in that babe of Bethlehem who was come there in order that he might undergo the sufferings of death, that I through his stripes might be healed. He died that we might be forgiven. [00:54:56]

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Transcript
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