Asked to speak to a home group just before Christmas, 2002, I was offered excuse for whatever I would say: Although you are to speak about Christmas, I suppose there is nothing new that may be said about the topic. That idea stuck with me, and I thought that there was so much to say about it that we could not have said it all, and/or that there was so much that we had forgotten – so to say it in a different context might revive intensity of meaning for the most recognized holiday of the year in western nations. On that evening I went from person to person and asked what they would be if they had choice to be born tomorrow, grow up and prepare themselves to become that person in occupational and personal life. One would choose pastoral ministry, another would choose psychology, another would enter business, and so the stories unfolded in the imaginations of us all. I repeated the exercise with my family members a few days later. One person would be a rancher, another a college professor, another to work with animals, another to own a retreat for people to attend for refreshing their lives, and another would be a flight attendant so to travel.
None of us were born with our own personal choice made about what we wanted to be and do. Later, some persons never find the way to gratified life. On this evening my text was: Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born. (Luke 2:11) There followed the idea that Jesus did choose exactly what he would be and do before his birth. He would be the Savior. Some of the verses suggested how important the choice: Beside me there is no Savior (Isa. 43:11); A just God and a Savior: (Isa.45:21); The Savior in time of trouble. (Jer.14:8); The Savior of the World. (John 4:42). The verses roll over in our thoughts even to the benediction of Jude 25: To the only wise God our Savior. Christ Jesus is our Savior. He chose that singular life purpose above all others.
I picked up a hitch-hiker in New York, a rabbinical student. He looked the part garbed in black and wearing a black hat. I launched into conversation about his situation. It was animated conversation for us. I asked his opinion about the Messiah. He said that there will be a Messiah, and told me what he would be like. He would be an intellectual, perhaps recognized as a genius. He would be powerful in that he would have extensive influence over people due to his greatness and integrity. He would be wealthy, not from personal wealth but by the command of his mystique in the lives of wealthy persons who would support his cause. When I asked why Jesus Christ would not do, his answer was that Jesus was not successful. He was crucified. The Messiah will be successful. I asked how his future Messiah would be greater than Jesus in becoming the Savior of needy men and women. He did not answer. I presented the case that greatness in wealth, power and intellect is not what the Messiah is about. The Messiah came to save sinners, and his redemption ultimately will not be to succeed by reforming society, but to make all things new. For a great many persons that purpose has become eternal hope related initially to prophecies of his coming and his birth. Later the open tomb proved his success in purpose. Here is the world’s Messiah. I believe! My guest, admittedly thoughtful, left me at the George Washington Bridge. We had a gracious and respectful exchange. I would not change any part of the serious conversation, except to have assurance that the fellow believed what I had to say. We did not question sincerity. We believed both to be sincere, but we had wisdom enough to know that sincerity is not an answer to the vital questions of our lives. What is truth? It is the truth that shall make us free, not sincerity. I was pleased to say what I had to say, and he was pleased to make his points. Both of us then left it to God for resolution. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020