Don’t Fight

As we start the Christmas season with all the excitement in the air, the trips to the mall for that special person and the certain gift. For many this is a sad time of the year for this year many will spend it without that loved one. For others it’s a time that they become the city police; we will hear of someone somewhere who will put up a big fuss because there’s a manger scene at the school house or the court house and they feel that it’s their job to have it removed. I read something that caused me to stop and think for a moment. There was a lifeguard on a beach somewhere in southern California, which I think would be a nice job to have. He gets this bizarre information that seemed to be just unbelievable. He was told that most people he would try to rescue would resent and even resist his assistance. That just didn't make sense. Anyone who was in trouble like life-or-death trouble would surely welcome his help. Then the day came when there was a man who was in trouble. In drove the lifeguard to rescue him but instead he found that the man cursed him as he reached his arms around him. He kicked, he clawed, and he did everything in his power to fight off his rescuer. Can you believe that? We humans are pretty proud folks; sometimes even when our pride could cost us our life! There were many on that beach and in the water enjoying everything around them. This guy was fighting off the very one who was there to save his life. Doesn’t make sense does it? Now let’s look at it from another view. Jesus came into this world to save that which was lost.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. He was here on an urgent rescue mission. He saw that our sinful choices, had left us hopelessly cut off from the God we were made for.

So like a lifeguard jumping in the water to save a drowning person at the risk of his own life, Jesus jumped into our world to give us a chance to live instead of dying. The problem is that heaven's Rescuer is often greeted with our proud resistance. "Look, I'm a good person, a religious person. I can give you a list of people who can tell you how I've helped them. I think I can get to heaven on my own, thank you." If that were true Jesus would never have gone through what He did on the cross. If that were true this verse would not be in the pages of our bibles

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Pharaoh, who was the King of Egypt, continually heard God's messages from Moses. We read of him fighting his rescuers.

Exodus 8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. That’s what many are doing without realizing it, letting their heart get harder to Jesus every time they ignore Him or reject His offer.

Exodus 8:32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart Then comes these sobering words,

Exodus 9:12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, Are you excited about this Christmas season and what the Lord has done for you and your family or are you like the one who put up a big fuss because there’s a manger scene at the school house or the court house. Like the one fighting off the lifeguard too many are fighting off the one who wants to save them from a devil’s hell. The greatest gift this Christmas is not what you may think it is but the gift that came in the form of a baby whose name is Jesus. Don’t fight the one who wants to recue you, for He dove into this world to save you; don’t fight Him off.