Dog...check it out...(sorry, I just finished watching American Idol.)Seriously, wasn't that crazy when the group of American Idols sang "Shout To The Lord???" I love it when God shows up in unexpected places! Last night they edited out the name of Jesus, but not tonight. They did a great job with it, too.
Speaking of Jesus showing up in strange places...check out this church sign I saw today in Boardman, OH. The "Infant Jesus of Prague" church...what a name! Funny...I don't remember reading about Jesus ever hanging out in Prague...especially as an infant! Seriously, it reminds me of the scene I saw once from Talladega Nights, where they were arguing over which Jesus they'd rather pray to. (Now, understand that I do not approve of this movie...I honestly do not know what's in the rest of the scene, but I saw this edited version on YouTube.)
Seriously, though, which Jesus do you pray to? Last week in Sunday's message, Pastor Martin was speaking from Revelation 19 where Jesus is returning to earth. Not as Baby Jesus...not as a skinny shepherd holding a sheep...not even as a crucified saviour; but as a warrior! Jesus will return with the armies of heaven to make war with Satan and the armies of earth! What a picture Revelation 19 gives us of the nature of our God that we are yet to see.
Here's what I know: I love the vulnerability I see in the fact that Jesus came as a baby, but I also embrace the fact that one day, we will see him in a new way...as a victorious King and warrior! For now, though, I am glad for the mercy and compassion that we are extended by the God who sent His Son to give His life to pay for all of the sins you and I have committed. That mercy is extended to us because He loves us! God is not an angry God who is looking to punish us, but a God who hates the thought of ANYONE not choosing to be with Him! I love how 2 Peter 3:9 puts it in the Message Bible:
2 Peter 3:9 (MSG) - God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.
And John 3:17...
John 3:17 (NLT) - God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
It's God's desire that all of us would come to accept Jesus' gift of forgiveness, that we would all see him one day as that victorious King and warrior, with us right behind Him. I can totally give my life to a God like that (and I have!) He's a God who loves me enough to look past my faults, instead of condemning me.
I don't know about you, but I pray to a great, powerful, patient, and MERCIFUL God...not a baby.
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