Magnificent Intervention
Nov 29 - Dec 27, 2015
A Christ Child Intervention
December 27, 2015 • Dr Charles Kyker
In obedience to the Mosaic Law, one month after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph go to the Temple for her purification and to dedicate their Son to the Lord (see Leviticus 12:1- 8). While they are there they meet a man named Simeon. Simeon “was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah” (Luke 2:25b-26). Because the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon, he was obe- dient when the Spirit said, “go.” Simeon not only saw the Lord’s Messiah, he held God’s Salvation in his arms!
A Miracle Intervention
December 13, 2015 • Dr Charles Kyker
The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is the story before the story. Zechariah is a priest during the time of Herod and because his wife, Elizabeth, has been unable to conceive, it’s just the two of them. But a miracle is about to happen—a Magnificent Intervention. Their story gives us a glimpse into God’s power, for the birth of their son—born to them in their old age—would later be known as John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ.
A Struggle Intervention
December 6, 2015 • Dr Charles Kyker
It’s scary how many of us want to do that very thing, to keep Christ from coming – coming into our world, our struggle, our situation. We may not openly admit it, but we live it when we don’t want to deal with the hassle, the dysfunction, or the ordeal. We would rather take matters into our own hands. But though we think we have it all figured out, we are not in control. The Grinch in us wants to bypass the problem by controlling the situation and other people. But like the character in Dr. Seuss’ story, it’s a matter of the heart. We too need a Magnificent Intervention.
A Purpose Intervention
November 29, 2015 • Dr Charles Kyker
In 1843 Charles Dickens penned a moving story about a man who had become deep- ly hardened by hurt, selfish choices, and greed. In A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is a hard man, enslaved by the things of this world, and now the darkness of his soul is quickly propelling him towards a bitter, lonely death. On Christmas Eve he is given a chance to see his life from heaven’s eyes. He is visited by three spirits and divinely shown his past, his present, and the reality of his future if his heart remains unchanged. He is given a magnificent intervention. The ghost of Ebenezer’s late business partner, Jacob Marley, is the first to show up and announce the spirits’ visitations. Trembling Scrooge says, “You were always a good friend, Jacob, and a good business man.” To which, Marley shrieks, “Mankind was my business!” But in life when Marley had a chance to do good – he didn’t. For Jacob Marley, whose spirit is doomed to roam the earth in chains, it is now too late. In pain, Jacob declares: “But it’s not too late for you, Ebenezer.” Scrooge is about to see what his purpose has been all along. What will he do with such an intervention?