We may see the baby Jesus lying in a manger. But it would be a mistake to see no more than the baby Jesus. We may see Jesus on the cross, but it would be a mistake to see no more than a suffering Jesus on the cross. We need to see Jesus as He is presented in the Scriptures. "... we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death that He might taste death for everyone" (Hebrews 2:9) The purpose of His coming was to give His life in payment for our sins.
WE SEE HIS EXAMPLE
Jesus did not sin, "... Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His steps: 'Who committed no sin ...'" (1 Peter 2:21-22). This qualified Jesus to give Himself as a complete sacrifice for our sins. See 2 Corinthians 5:21. We look to His example as a pattern for daily living and we see Him as the perfect sacrifice for sin.
WE SEE LOVE
We see the greatest love. "Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends" (John 15:13).
WE SEE HUMILITY
Jesus gave up His position of equality with God. He took the form of a servant and humbled Himself, obediently dying on the cross (Philippians 2:5-8). He did not teach us to make a public display of our faith. He said, "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:6). He did not teach His disciples to wear special garments nor to use religious titles. It is strange that some who claim to follow Him have done exactly what Jesus told us not to do. He said, "And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 23:9). When we see the humility of Jesus, we want to follow in His steps.
WE SEE FORGIVENESS
We see Jesus praying on the cross, "Father forgive them for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34). If we would be forgiven, we must forgive, (Matthew 6:14-15).
WE SEE A SERVANT
The standard of greatness presented by Jesus is that of service. He said, "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant" (Matthew 23:11). On the night of the last supper the disciples of Jesus were concerned about who would be first among them. Jesus girded Himself with a towel and taught a lesson by washing their feet. If we see Jesus as a servant, we will serve others.
WE SEE KINDNESS
Jesus did not return evil for evil. He did not harbor a vengeful spirit. He said, " ... love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you ..." (Matthew 5:44).
WE SEE CONTENTMENT
Jesus said, " ... do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on ... do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:25 & 34).
WE SEE JESUS AS LORD
Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). We must obey Him as Lord, if we want to go to heaven.
WE SEE THE RISEN LORD
Jesus tasted death for you and for me. He came forth from the tomb victorious over sin and death. He made possible our victory over sin and death. ".. but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57). When we are baptized (immersed in water), we are forgiven of sin (Acts 2:38). At the point of baptism we begin a new life. "... we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).
WE SEE A UNIQUE JESUS
The uniqueness of Jesus in human history should cause us to realize the importance of seeing Him as He may be seen in the Scriptures. Are we seeing Him as we should? If we perceive Him as we should, we perceive the value of what He did. We are moved by His love because He loved as did no other. Being without sin, He gave Himself that we who sin might have forgiveness for sin.
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