ADVENTIST COMMUNITY CHURCH OF VANCOUVER | DECEMBER 20, 2011
| From Pastor Roger ... Where is Jesus? "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2 NIV) As questions go, it was pretty simple. "Where is He?" It should have been breaking news — most-whispered-about water-cooler / beauty-shop gossip chatter. After all, even rumors that Prince William and his Kate might be expecting a child get featured on CNN's home page. The Magi weren't asking about a prince. They were asking about a King. And no one knew. Call for the theologians and the scrolls. There it is: "…for this is what the prophet has written: 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'" Matt. 2:5,6 That was some 2,000 years ago. Today, as it was then, the question is simple and straightforward: "Where is Jesus?" It's not about dragging out doctrine, theology or prophecy. It's not about the judgment or the cleansing of the sanctuary or the second coming, as important as these are. There's a song in our hymnal, #126, that ends with "Yet, what can I give him? Give my heart." After the shepherds came to see the Child and shared their experience, Luke tells us "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19 She didn't know then that what she held in her heart would have to carry her through the darkest days of her life. Pastor Jeff and Danny and I, and our families, wish for all of you a most joyful and blessed Christmas. And most of all, we pray that you have given Him your hearts; that you have hidden His word in the deepest places of your hearts. "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 (NIV) | What's happening: Dec. 24, 8:45-10:15, Christmas Brunch Pray for our mission team in Fiji. THIS WEEK Friday, Dec. 23 |
