Influencers Weekly Devotional

The Life (Part Three of a Christmas Story) by

Rocky Fleming

“I am the life …” Jesus Christ

When Jesus said that He is “the life,” He could have meant many things. As individuals we could draw our own conclusion what His being the life means to us. Such as, He is the long awaited Messiah of the Jews … and it is this life He is speaking of? He could also be the way to eternal life, and it is this life we personally feel Jesus is referencing? Jesus could also be saying to us that He is the way to a better life in this present life? Most believers should believe this from their experience with Him, even though there are still challenges in our life as all people have. But having Jesus during those challenges both comforts and strengthens us. Just think how bad life would be without Him? I would be desperate. Wouldn’t you? About Jesus being “the life,” could it be that Jesus is all those things I mentioned,… for us … to us …and in us? Isn’t His life more far reaching in impact on our life and the lives around us than we could ever imagine? These thoughts should make us appreciate even more what Christmas means to us. As we approach the celebration of Christ-mas this year, let’s try to consider all those things I’ve mentioned as His life has impacted us, for it is then that we might get in touch with the reality of why we truly celebrate our King’s birthday. It is not about the commercial hype that it has become today. The way He was born is far from the glamour and glitz we see today, or even the comfortable ways we gather to celebrate it. Rather, it is about the humility found in the manger over 2,000 years ago when the King of Kings came down from His throne, took His first breath, laid His head in a dirty feeding trough, and began Hislife that led to our redemption. So, let’s break out of the cultural norm of today with the way we turn our thoughts toward that first day of His life on this planet. Instead, let’s turn our attention to the profound simplicity, but importance of what really happened, and what The Life has meant to us because of it. We will continue our story from the last two weeks, and see if we gain a better view of what The Life means: - Part 3 - The old prophetjoined you with your walk toward the lights in the stable. You have been on a long, hard journey on a path called The Way, with the promise that it is the only way to life, for the other paths lead to death. It hasn’t been an easy trip. But you’ve had The Truth as your guide, and it has kept you safe. You stumbled a few times. But, there was always a way to get upright and back to the right path, if you would follow The Truth’s instructions. It gave you great relief to read that stumbles often happen on a man’s journey. Since we are not perfect, it eventually happens, but there is a provision for it. The Truth pointed you toward this provision for getting you back upright and on the path, and it has stayed with you since you were first comforted by it. It said: ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ 1 John 1:9 When you first read this, you considered that it might be an easy way to cover a bad conscience. Later you learned that even though the provision is there, it is not to be a simple excuse and free license for a dangerous walk. Stumbles always hurt and have consequences. They make scars from the healed over wounds that occur, and the scars remain after we heal. When you began to understand the truth of it, you learned that the provision is intended to teach and restore you, by giving you hope and rescue, which it did. But, it is not to be abused. As you walk with the old prophet toward the stable, he shares wisdom that reveals the mysteries of The Way, mysteries that needed to be explained. He tells you that The Way is very old, in fact, he said “It was and is from the beginning.” He said that The Way has been revealed at different times in history and in several ways. For instance, at the beginning of time and existence, The Way was The Word and The Word was with God. This meant that The Way was with God in the beginning. After sharing this information, the prophet then said, “That which was in the beginning of creation then became life. This life came to dwell among His creation. He came with a purpose, which was to redeem and restore that which was lost. He came to show us the way, and make a way to go to our eternal home.” Now by this time you are getting dizzy with the different descriptions of The Way. At the beginning, you thought it was simply a life or death path for getting you out of a dangerous situation, until you learned how it also builds character, wisdom, faith, and empathy for people who needed your help. But now, it seems there is even more to it than those things. The thing that really got your attention was to hear that God came to this world, and it is thislife that the old prophet spoke of who would make a way for you to go to your eternal home. Home. You have been so homesick, even though you have grown content with your journey. You asked the prophet about what you’ve been feeling and he said, “Son, what you are feeling is a longing to go to the place you were created for. Because you have been spending more time in The Truth, this happens. When you spend time on The Way, with The Truth, you come to understand that you have been created for something different from the ways of this world. You begin to see the world, and life, differently. You begin to see people differently. Your entire worldview is different … and you see the way to these things is different from the way the world does it. This is the longing and mixed feelings you are experiencing.” The old prophet’s words resonate in your heart. But, you are still a little confused with the process of escaping the temporary place you are in. You ask him why your journey on this earth can’t end sooner so you can go to the place you long for. He responds: “While on The Way, you have helped some stranded and discouraged travelers haven’t you? How did you help them and how did you feel when you encouraged them?” You answer by telling him that you were told it would be important to help them, not only for their needs, but for yours as well, for when you helped them somehow you helped yourself. You found it to be true. You helped the discouraged fellow traveler by helping them find promises in The Truth that would encourage them. You also rolled up your sleeves and helped them with any obvious need you could assist in. Before long, they were back on their feet and following The Truth on their own as they traveled The Way. You had even seen some of those who were once stranded helping others. It was a beautiful thing. You went on to say that it made you feel good to help them, and that you had found great purpose in your life on The Way. There was also a strange feeling that someone was watching you and delighted in what you were doing, even though you couldn’t see who it was. The old prophet shook his head as if he knew first hand what you were talking about. As you two near the stable, you can see that there are several people standing outside peering into the lighted area. Before going closer, the old prophet stops you and asks if you have any questions. You ask him if this is the end of your journey on The Way and if you are being taken home. He tells you, “No. Your journey has only just begun. It is the beginning of the next and most significant part of your life. You have been on a necessary journey that has reconstructed your life. You entered your journey on The Way as a man lost in the wilderness. You not only had the desperation of a lost man, you also had the perspective of one who thought your only goal in life was to survive. You lived life as one who fought for something that meant nothing. Your life was empty and purposeless. The Way gave you a way out of your lost condition. But, you were also given a new life as you escaped your condition. You see, The Way and The Truth led you to The Life that you were created to have. The Way and The Truth sanctified you on your journey, and recreated you. You have been given a process to become the man you could never make of yourself, and it is this new life that needs to remain and make a difference in your world. That is why you remain. You will go home soon enough. Until you do, you have a life to live that will bring delight to your Creator. You had mentioned that you sensed that you were being watched and someone was delighting in you when you were helping others. Indeed, Someone was watching and delighting in you. Look in The Truth and see what it says:” You turn in the pages of The Truth, until you find what the prophet is referencing. You read: ‘He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.’ Psalms 18:18 The prophet then takes you by your arm and leads you to the edge of the stable. You look inside and see a baby wrapped in swaddling cloth, and lying in a manger. A young mother is weary from having just given birth to the child, and is lying on a blanket to rest for a while. The husband is serving her needs, while attending to the child’s needs. They both look weary from traveling, but relieved that the baby and mother are out of danger with the birth. You watch them, and realize they do not see you. You are given a front row seat to a beautiful scene, and you wonder why. You ask the prophet why The Way has led you to this stable. What does it mean? He says, “What you are seeing before your very eyes is The Way, The Truth and The Life that has now become flesh. You asked why you are seeing this? My question to you is, if you have come to understand that He is all these things to you, what is appropriate for you to do on this, His birthday?” You think about the prophet’s question and understand there is only one appropriate thing you can do. You must fall to your knees and worship the child who would one day become your redeemer, and never forget that this day should never be thought of in any other way. His birthday is the way, the truth and the life for you, and all these things about Him saved you, taught you, and gave you purpose. You must never forget that it all started herefor you. That is why you celebrate His birthday. And that is why Rocky celebrates His birthday. Will you join me and do the same? Merry Christmas! Download file