Message from Pastor Brad Cochrane

DIVINE VISITATION

Not long ago some friends of our family were traveling through the cold and snowy Upper Peninsula. They were over 300 miles from their home but made a call to ask about stopping by for a few minutes. That was an unexpected blessing on a Saturday afternoon. What a delight this was to Becky and me as we reminisced about the years that had gone by and what God had done and was still doing. That unexpected stop said a lot to us about what was in the heart of our friend that she and her family would take time to visit for a few minutes.

Similarly these following verses speak of the value that God has placed upon all of mankind. He cared enough for us that He would make a way to mend that which was broken, a relationship that needed Him to step into it. And incredibly, He did just that: He sent His Son.

Galatians 4:4-6 "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." (NASU)

These two verses point to the depth of God’s love and richness of His grace to mankind. I am not sure that I can grasp all of what there is for us here, but this I do know, God gave His Son in order that I might be redeemed! This thought is an amazing thought for anyone to ponder. God took upon Himself flesh and blood. He stepped into time and history with a purpose; that purpose was to redeem us. On Christmas day when families and friends gather to celebrate or observe this national holiday, most will not grasp the significance of Christ’s coming to earth. He came to earth on a mission from the Father to go and redeem the lost.

Jesus didn’t just happen onto the scene of human history. He was born “when the fullness of time came” God sent His eternal Son at the exact time of His choosing. Jesus didn’t just happen to step into the world without God’s directive. It is at the moment of the Father’s choosing. And the place of His birth was spoken of before it happened as well. God’s word is clear as to where the promised redeemer would be born. It would be in Bethlehem of Judea, and that is exactly where Joseph and Mary welcomed the redeemer of all mankind.

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity." (Micah 5:2) And so it happened just as God said it would. Because He always speaks truth, because His word is forever settled in Heaven, because He keeps His promises, Jesus the Messiah was born in a remote town unnoticed by the world. He provided a Savior for all so that He might redeem those who were under the Law,

I love the “so that” of this verse--"so that He might redeem us" It makes it so clear, so simple. Why did God send His Son? Why did God do this? It was to redeem mankind! It was to save us! It was to make a way of escape from that which we deserve and have clearly earned, that is, judgment. But God was willing to redeem us, to pay a price to buy us back to Himself through the birth, death, and resurrection of His Son.

Man cannot have a right standing with God apart from God’s provision for it. We live in a pluralistic society that for the most part holds to the position that there are many paths to God. Man thinks the path that is right for me may not be the path that is right for you. "Just don’t get all pushy with your way to get to God and we will be fine" they say. The only problem is this. God is the One who will say how it is that man approaches Him, not man. And He says, I have provided a redeemer because you need to be redeemed. You cannot approach Me apart from faith in Christ. He states it very clearly in many passages, I will submit just one for consideration.“neither is there any other, for there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) This is not just an opinion of this writer! This is not a judgmental attitude toward others, this is God’s Word, and He clearly communicates what He thinks on the subject. Do you know Him? Have you been redeemed? As you approach Christmas, do you understand and know the Christ of CHRISTmas and why His birth is so important? “that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

I grew up in a family where the Lord allowed my Dad and Mom to bring 6 children into the world. Their hearts were so full of His love toward children that they believed that God would have them adopt children as well. Their quiver held a lot of arrows and wasn’t complete until there were 20 children all together. My wife Becky and I have been blessed with 5 of our own. I know what it takes as a parent to raise children; that makes what my Dad and Mom did simply amazing to me. They provided a loving home to those whom they personally chose to be a part of it. It took a lot of love for them to do so, a love so deep and wide that I struggle to understand the fullness of it. Adoption provided that for my brothers and sisters.

God has adopted me as a son. He did this knowing everything about me, both good and bad. Redemption by Jesus Christ has placed me into the family of God, the family of the redeemed whereby He is always present, and His grace is there for every situation.

This Christmas, may the Christ of the season we celebrate be the One in whom we rejoice.

God’s richest blessings on each.

Pastor Brad Cochrane.