Let earth receive her King!
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. (Rev. 7:9)
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus is not some tribal deity or the God of Israel alone, but he is the God of all nations, tribes, peoples, and languages (see Rev. 7:9, above). Luke also makes this clear when, shortly after the birth of Christ, Simeon said that Jesus is "a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (
Luke 2:32
)
Christmas is a time of joy and hopeful sorrow on the mission field. It is a time of joy because people who know and love Jesus celebrate the birth of their Savior, the King of kings. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified as a penalty for sin, died and was buried, and on the third day rose again to display of the power of God over death. For all who trust in Jesus alone there is forgiveness of sin and eternal life together with him, with complete
and
ever-increasing joy.
But it's also a time of hopeful sorrow for us because of the many Thai people who still don't know Jesus in the way that saves them and glorifies him. While believers await His second coming, many people in Thailand and around the world have not even heard of his first coming. To this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. (
1 Timothy 4:10
)
Oh Come oh Come Emmanuel!
Wishing you and yours a hopeful and joyful Christmas.
