By Pastor George Pearsons
Christmas is more meaningful when we remember why Jesus came to earth. Of the many assignments the Father entrusted to Him, one in particular stands out to me.
Hebrews 1:3 (New Living Translation-96) tells us, “The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly.” The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition, says, “He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature.” The King James Version describes Jesus as “the express image of his person.”
Throughout the Gospel of John we read how Jesus emulated the Father: “The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do” (John 5:19, New King James Version);“I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (6:38, NKJV);“I speak that which I have seen with my Father” (8:38, KJV); and this statement is to me the most powerful, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (14:9, NKJV).
John 1:18 (AMPC) declares, “No man has ever seen God at any time; the only unique Son, or the only begotten God, Who is in the bosom [in the intimate presence] of the Father, He has declared Him [He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known].” And John 1:14 reveals to us a major reason for Jesus coming to earth: “The WORD became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” He came to earth to demonstrate the Father’s love to us.
Emmanuel—Love With Us
Matthew 1:23 is a familiar Christmas scripture: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
We know from 1 John 4:8 that “God is love.” So, when we read the phrase, “God with us,” it can be read, “Love with us.” Think of that. The love of God was sent to earth in human form. This love is described in Ephesians 2:4-5 (AMPC).“But God—so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ.”
Jesus came to bring heaven’s atmosphere to earth and to reveal the Father’s love. We see He manifested this “God-love” everywhere He went and with everyone He met. Whenever a person had an encounter with Jesus, he had an encounter with the pure love of the Father.
Whether it was healing the sick, forgiving the sinner or raising the dead—this new kind of love on earth impacted every life He touched. Children were drawn to Jesus like a magnet—that was the love of God. The brokenhearted found compassion and understanding in His presence—that was the love of God.
Jesus’ every response was based on the love of God. Even when He cleansed the Temple, it was God’s love: People were being hindered from true worship. Jesus cleared the way for them to make contact with God—He did it out of love. Every word, every action, every thought was motivated by God’s love. He was the Father’s love sent to earth.
Love Like Him
But this demonstration of love was not limited to Jesus. As the Body of Christ, His love is imparted to us, so we can also be express images of the Father’s love.
Jesus told His disciples, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35, KJV). This new kind of love is the Greek word agape. It is God’s love in us that springs up from a heart for others. It is love from the inside out—not from the outside in.
It is a love of devotion, faithfulness, commitment and loyalty. This God kind of love confers value on others. It sees the preciousness, worth and goodness in others. It is a love that sacrifices with no expectation of return.
Jesus came to earth as an example of how we are to love one another. We are called by God to love each other the same way He loves us. Ephesians 5:25 tells husbands to love their wives even as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it. John 15:12 says we are to love one another as Jesus loved us. “Be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:1-2, AMPC).
My Prayer for the New Year
My greatest desire for the new year is to walk in a higher degree of God’s love. I want to be a more loving husband, father and pastor. I want to exemplify the love of Jesus to this lost and hurting world.
The Father gave us the Son of His love. Jesus lived on this earth and showed us the Father’s love. Now, He lives in our hearts. It is our turn to allow this love to flood through us to others.
Pray this prayer with me right now: “Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to the earth. He demonstrated to us the fullness of Your love. Our heart’s desire is to love others as He loved us. Thank You for helping us see others through Your eyes of love. We want to be Your express image of love on the earth. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen!”
About the writer:
George Pearsons is Senior Pastor of Eagle Mountain International Church, located on the grounds of Kenneth Copeland Ministries. He also serves as CEO of KCM and Vice President of Kenneth Copeland Bible College.
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