This week, our CEO of Sports Chaplaincy UK, Warren Evans is offering the morning Thought of the Day on Premier Christian Radio and Premier Praise.

Below is the text and audio to the third thought:

Do we need a grown up image of Jesus, so he is more than just the baby in the manger?

 

Good morning. 

I hope you’re having a great  week, I hope that during our time together you are being challenging a fresh the reality of the Christmas message, both in terms of our personal walk with God and then in the final two days around how that is lived out.

Yesterday, we continued our three part series about the gifts the Wise Men brought to Jesus; gold and Frankincense.

Today, I want to explore the third gift which the Wise Men brought as recorded in Matthew 2, Myrrh was given to someone who was about to suffer and die.

You might well be thinking; suffer and die? That’s an uplifting message as we enter a New Year? But the reality and revelation is that it is the great message of hope and love.

Are we too happy to keep Jesus as the soft and cuddly baby in the manger or are we prepared to use these days to walk through discovering the life of Jesus, the man who grew up and showed us what God in human form was like. 

As followers of Jesus, we need to take time to study his life. I love the image of the roller-coaster that describes how we might approach looking at the life of Jesus. 

As we look at the scriptures, we see a life full of highs and low, ups and downs. 

I love the verse in Luke 4 where it says ‘He grew in favour with God and Men’. However, we also know that Jesus fell out of favour with religious Men which is what caused Him to be handed over to be crucified.

What is your image of Jesus? Do you need to ask God to help you? John 16:33 says “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

And Ephesians 2:10 says” For we are God’s handiwork (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.?”

When we have a fresh revelation of who Jesus is Son is, we may approach life differently and say what has God got for me to do today.

I’m Warren Evans, CEO of Sports Chaplaincy UK. Have a blessed day.