Church family,
It is a chilly morning here in northwest Ohio and my day is getting started. Much of my family will be coming here for Christmas. It is one of the things I look forward to the most during Christmas. The receiving of gifts has lost its appeal over the years. After all, what else do I really need? Perhaps age does that to you. Or perhaps man-made things just lose their value or attraction.
In my times reading and reflecting in the Word lately, I am reminded once again what matters most. I am reminded, as we used to say years ago, “Jesus is the reason for the season” – that He matters most. In the scriptures, the word “idol” is used often. Actually, in the ESV Bible translation, forms of the word are used over 140 times. Often when we hear the word, images come to mind of carved or molded creations made of wood or stone. In history, we know that “idols” were made in various sizes, images, and shapes. Someone along the way decided to make something, believing there to be power worthy of worship. Typically, it was the result of an experience someone had. We see this in many cases throughout history. It comes down to elevating the created over the Creator Himself.
This morning, as I was reading the Word, the devotional led me to Psalm 115. The psalm reflects upon man-made idols as “merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.” Psalm 115:4-8 (NLT)
In this psalm, the writer contrasts the idols made by man with the God of Israel. Often, man tries to find in idols (created things) what only can be found in God (the Creator). Simply put, there is no life, no power, no hope in the created.
As I shared last Sunday, Colossians 1:15-20 gives an amazing description of Jesus! He wasn’t just a “special baby” who grew into a wise teacher who created a following. NO! He is the Son of the living God! God became flesh. He brought hope to sinful man. As Paul says, “He is the visible image of the invisible God!”
At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. In the midst of all the “shiny” and temporal gifts you will receive, do not lose sight of the greatest gift ever given to man – Jesus, the Son of the living God. He matters most!
Walking with you,
Pastor Brian