Special Study Outline

DON'T LEAVE HIM THERE
For many people the Christmas season means they are thinking about the birth of Christ. And the Bible clearly teaches us that Jesus was born! Isaiah predicted His birth centuries before the event. “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (7:14). Matthew records for us that an angel appeared to Joseph and told him not to be afraid to make Mary his wife because “what is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins” (1:20-21). And Mary did indeed give birth to the Son of God: “And she brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in in the inn” (Luke 2:7). The birth of Jesus is a beautiful story and one we should ever be thankful for - but let’s be sure that when we envision the Lord wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger, that we don’t leave Him there. Luke tell us that Jesus “grew and became strong in Spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him” (2:40). Jesus grew into a grown man and began what we call his personal ministry. He was baptized by John the Baptist. He began preaching and teaching, healing and comforting. Peter tells us what kind of life our Savior lived: “...Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in his mouth…” (1 Peter 2:21-22). Jesus fulfilled the demands of God (Hebrews 10:1-10) by living a perfect life in a human body...but don’t leave him there. The virgin born Son of God grew to live a sinless, spotless life here on earth. But when Pilate asked, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ? They all said to him, ‘Let Him be crucified!’” (Matthew 27:22). And so it was, Jesus went to “the place of the skull”, Golgotha, Calvary to be crucified. For six hours our Lord hung on a cross and there died for the sins of the world...but don’t leave Him there. Jesus died on a Friday. On Sunday (three days later) He rose from the dead. Two of Jesus followers went to the tomb on that Sunday morning only to find it empty. There fears were eased when an angel appeared and said, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said” (Matthew 28:5-6). Jesus is now alive and in heaven with the Father (Acts 1:11)...but don’t leave Him there. Jesus was born in manger, walked on earth with God, was hung on a tree, was buried in a tomb, went back to the Father...but he doesn’t want you to leave Him there: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me” ( Revelation 3:20). Think about it: Jesus is standing at your door, knocking, ready to come into your life...please, don’t leave Him there! Richard O’Connor

For many people the Christmas season means they are thinking about the birth of Christ. And the Bible clearly teaches us that Jesus was born! Isaiah predicted His birth centuries before the event. “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (7:14). Matthew records for us that an angel appeared to Joseph and told him not to be afraid to make Mary his wife because “what is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins” (1:20-21). And Mary did indeed give birth to the Son of God: “And she brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in in the inn” (Luke 2:7). The birth of Jesus is a beautiful story and one we should ever be thankful for - but let’s be sure that when we envision the Lord wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger, that we don’t leave Him there.

Luke tell us that Jesus “grew and became strong in Spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him” (2:40). Jesus grew into a grown man and began what we call his personal ministry. He was baptized by John the Baptist. He began preaching and teaching, healing and comforting. Peter tells us what kind of life our Savior lived: “...Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in his mouth…” (1 Peter 2:21-22). Jesus fulfilled the demands of God (Hebrews 10:1-10) by living a perfect life in a human body...but don’t leave him there.

The virgin born Son of God grew to live a sinless, spotless life here on earth. But when Pilate asked, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ? They all said to him, ‘Let Him be crucified!’” (Matthew 27:22). And so it was, Jesus went to “the place of the skull”, Golgotha, Calvary to be crucified. For six hours our Lord hung on a cross and there died for the sins of the world...but don’t leave Him there.

Jesus died on a Friday. On Sunday (three days later) He rose from the dead. Two of Jesus followers went to the tomb on that Sunday morning only to find it empty. There fears were eased when an angel appeared and said, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said” (Matthew 28:5-6). Jesus is now alive and in heaven with the Father (Acts 1:11)...but don’t leave Him there.

Jesus was born in manger, walked on earth with God, was hung on a tree, was buried in a tomb, went back to the Father...but he doesn’t want you to leave Him there: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me” ( Revelation 3:20). Think about it: Jesus is standing at your door, knocking, ready to come into your life...please, don’t leave Him there!

Richard O’Connor