The Real Christmas Tree

1 Peter 2:21-25

John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

1. His birth =

Myrrh is anointing oil. I wonder if the Magi didn’t just hand Mary and Joseph the gifts in little boxes, but perhaps anointed the child themselves, symbolizing his kindship. (David would have also anointed with myrrh by Samuel; assuming Samuel was using the mixture prescribed by Exodus 30:23)

He was buried with 75 pounds of myrrh. (John 19:39)

2. His Baptism =

Luke 12:50: I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!

The three Baptisms of Jesus: 1. His water baptism. 2. Baptized with the spirit. 3. The Cross.

3. Temptation =

The temptation was so intense, angels came to him afterward to care for him. (Matthew 4:11)

4. Great confession:

Matt 16:21: Jesus plainly tells the disciples exactly what is ahead of them. Peter objects, and Jesus says Peter is doing the work of Satan to try to keep him from the cross.

5. Transfiguration: They

Luke 9:31 says they were discussing his “departure” or literally “exodus.” That would be his death on the cross and resurrection.

6. Jesus was totally focused on =

Luke 9:51: “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” (stay-rid’-zo: Lit: to turn resolutely in certain direction)

John 12:27-28: “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

7. Gethsemane = Asked

–Gethsemane = Heb: Oil Press. God’s spirit pressed.

Luke 22:42-43: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”

Medical doctors have documented a phenomenon in which people under enough stress bleed. The tissue in their body breaks down and blood comes through the pours of the skin.

8. At the cross =

1 Peter 2:24 (He himself, “Hos autos” emphatic personalization.)

Isa 53:6: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Historical Note: In the third century Arian taught that God created Jesus and Jesus then created the world. This heresy is still taught in some cults today. However, God did not assign out the redemption of the world. He personally (he himself) came down and rescued us. What kind of a God says, “I love you so much, I’ll send this other guy I created to die for you?” The Gospel is, God says, “I love you so much, I will myself come down and take your iniquity on myself.”

Because of the cross:

• Forgiveness.
• Set Free.
• New creation.