WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:11.919 --> 00:00:16.940 Amen. If you missed it Thursday night, we had the Behold the Lamb concert here. 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:20.940 If you missed it, that was every bit as good. 00:00:21.640 --> 00:00:22.640 Aren't they awesome? 00:00:24.199 --> 00:00:25.240 Thank you guys. 00:00:26.760 --> 00:00:28.519 It was a wonderful night. 00:00:28.519 --> 00:00:31.739 I got to have a lot of people from our community here. 00:00:31.960 --> 00:00:33.479 There were several good things. 00:00:33.640 --> 00:00:39.140 One of them is that we have delayed our plans for installing the fog machines for use on Sunday mornings. 00:00:40.560 --> 00:00:42.659 If you weren't here, we had a fire alarm. 00:00:43.379 --> 00:00:45.939 So that won't be happening anytime soon. 00:00:45.980 --> 00:00:47.079 I think that's a plus. 00:00:48.560 --> 00:00:53.140 But more importantly, it's this beautiful story that is sung. 00:00:53.179 --> 00:00:57.000 It's the same one that we talk about and read about in God's Word. 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:02.920 And one of the sweet things about hearing it sung, it engages our hearts in a different way, doesn't it? 00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:07.219 To hear the music, the poetry, the stories told that way. 00:01:07.500 --> 00:01:12.879 I want to encourage you as we come to God's Word, our hearts need to be engaged. 00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:18.459 This is not going to be an exercise in giving you new information largely this morning. 00:01:18.599 --> 00:01:19.979 And I know that's not unusual. 00:01:21.280 --> 00:01:23.099 But you know the Christmas story. 00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:27.679 We're praying and asking that God would use it in our hearts. 00:01:27.840 --> 00:01:30.939 That He would change us in the deepest parts of who we are. 00:01:31.039 --> 00:01:32.359 That we would love Him more. 00:01:33.079 --> 00:01:35.419 That's our prayer as we come to His Word. 00:01:35.420 --> 00:01:38.640 We've been focusing on this same story they were just singing about. 00:01:38.780 --> 00:01:39.620 The King who's coming. 00:01:39.719 --> 00:01:40.439 The incarnation. 00:01:41.460 --> 00:01:43.599 The Word made flesh. 00:01:43.980 --> 00:01:48.240 The definition we've been using for the incarnation this Christmas season. 00:01:48.240 --> 00:01:55.620 The intentional entrance of the divine Son of God into our fallen world in human flesh 00:01:55.620 --> 00:02:02.939 to secure our redemption at the cost of His life because of His great love. 00:02:03.320 --> 00:02:06.260 That's the Word become flesh. 00:02:07.320 --> 00:02:13.819 In John's Gospel where he talks about this, he started by highlighting our need for the incarnation. 00:02:13.819 --> 00:02:19.960 The darkness of our hearts and of this world that required the light to break into it. 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:25.760 And then we saw last week the sacrifice of the incarnation. 00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:27.340 What Jesus left. 00:02:27.480 --> 00:02:31.400 What He set aside in order to become man. 00:02:32.040 --> 00:02:35.740 This week we're actually going to talk about the other side of that coin. 00:02:35.740 --> 00:02:40.719 Not so much what Jesus left, but what He entered into. 00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:44.020 The pain of the incarnation. 00:02:44.300 --> 00:02:47.260 The Christmas story is a beautiful one for sure. 00:02:47.259 --> 00:02:54.159 But it's not just about carols and candy and angels and a really sweet little baby. 00:02:54.340 --> 00:02:56.299 Although those things are true. 00:02:57.639 --> 00:03:01.359 When the Word became flesh, He was entering into pain. 00:03:02.620 --> 00:03:04.099 John shows us some of that. 00:03:04.180 --> 00:03:08.319 We're going to look at some other passages that will highlight that reality 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:10.599 as we consider the price Jesus paid. 00:03:10.699 --> 00:03:13.539 The pain that He endured for us. 00:03:13.539 --> 00:03:17.219 Let's start by reading the beginning of John 1. 00:03:17.319 --> 00:03:20.159 We're going to focus on verses 9 through 11 this morning. 00:03:20.459 --> 00:03:23.419 But let's read beginning at verse 1. 00:03:23.939 --> 00:03:25.579 God's holy word. 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:28.719 In the beginning was the Word. 00:03:29.139 --> 00:03:30.680 And the Word was with God. 00:03:30.859 --> 00:03:32.539 And the Word was God. 00:03:33.299 --> 00:03:35.259 He was in the beginning with God. 00:03:35.819 --> 00:03:37.519 All things were made through Him. 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:40.759 And without Him was not anything made that was made. 00:03:40.759 --> 00:03:42.780 In Him was life. 00:03:43.379 --> 00:03:45.060 And the life was the light of men. 00:03:45.359 --> 00:03:46.959 The light shines in the darkness. 00:03:47.079 --> 00:03:48.679 And the darkness has not overcome it. 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:53.359 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 00:03:54.159 --> 00:03:57.699 He came as a witness to bear witness about that light 00:03:57.699 --> 00:04:00.019 that all might believe through Him. 00:04:00.500 --> 00:04:05.159 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 00:04:05.159 --> 00:04:09.840 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:12.579 He was in the world. 00:04:13.079 --> 00:04:17.000 And the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. 00:04:17.899 --> 00:04:19.180 He came to His own. 00:04:19.779 --> 00:04:22.939 And His own people did not receive Him. 00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:25.560 It gets better. 00:04:26.339 --> 00:04:27.939 And we'll talk more about that next Sunday. 00:04:28.120 --> 00:04:31.759 But let's pray and ask for God's help as we look to His Word. 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:36.519 Father, we thank You for Your Spirit. 00:04:38.039 --> 00:04:40.579 We call Him our teacher at times like this. 00:04:40.680 --> 00:04:42.439 But Father, we need more than a teacher. 00:04:43.039 --> 00:04:49.439 We need one who will grab our hearts and transform us from the inside out. 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:55.659 And so we pray that You would speak, that You would even sing into our hearts 00:04:55.660 --> 00:05:01.640 the truth of Christmas, that it might not just be something we can celebrate 00:05:01.640 --> 00:05:05.660 at a particular time of year, but that it might be life-changing. 00:05:06.580 --> 00:05:08.420 So would You do that by Your Spirit? 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:10.680 We know You can and we know You love to. 00:05:11.420 --> 00:05:13.520 So we ask for it in Jesus' name. 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:14.480 Amen. 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:14.620 Amen. 00:05:14.620 --> 00:05:15.620 Amen. 00:05:15.620 --> 00:05:16.620 Amen. 00:05:16.620 --> 00:05:26.000 Even 16 years later now, most of us remember where we were on 9-11, when all of a sudden 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:28.220 destruction hit. 00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:35.980 We remember watching those horrific events unfold, seeing scenes of devastation around the 00:05:35.980 --> 00:05:44.360 Twin Towers, flames billowing out of the building, smoke, debris all over the place. 00:05:44.620 --> 00:05:51.879 Both skyscrapers crashing down just in the matter of a couple of hours, perhaps some 00:05:51.879 --> 00:05:55.920 of the most traumatic events most of us have ever witnessed. 00:05:56.920 --> 00:06:03.519 And perhaps as we saw those images that morning, the most heartbreaking may be the crowds of people 00:06:03.519 --> 00:06:12.100 fleeing away from, in every direction they could, away from that death and destruction that 00:06:12.100 --> 00:06:17.160 was going on, running as fast as they could covered in the debris. 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:23.960 But even in the beginning, and certainly we heard a lot more stories come out in the weeks 00:06:23.960 --> 00:06:28.280 later, there were those who we saw running in the other direction. 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:38.140 First responders, firefighters, NYPD officers, others who were there, emergency personnel, who 00:06:38.139 --> 00:06:41.199 were running in the opposite direction of the crowds. 00:06:41.319 --> 00:06:47.919 They were running toward the pain, towards that devastation and destruction that was happening. 00:06:48.039 --> 00:06:49.159 They dove into the rubble. 00:06:49.300 --> 00:06:53.459 They came out covered in dust and blood and sweat. 00:06:54.740 --> 00:06:58.620 Time and again, they went back in to rescue anyone they could, right? 00:06:58.620 --> 00:07:07.139 You know that many of those first responders died that day in their efforts to save others. 00:07:07.579 --> 00:07:16.360 Of the nearly 3,000 people who died there that day, over 400 were rescue workers who had run 00:07:16.360 --> 00:07:18.899 towards the towers from their place of safety. 00:07:19.019 --> 00:07:22.199 They'd run into danger to help. 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:27.639 There were many more than that who had their lives turned upside down, never the same having 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:30.979 walked through that, even though they survived. 00:07:31.500 --> 00:07:34.819 And we hail these people as heroes, don't we? 00:07:35.699 --> 00:07:37.579 We talk about them often. 00:07:37.740 --> 00:07:39.899 We remember them and what they've done. 00:07:39.979 --> 00:07:41.579 Because what was heroic? 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:47.279 It was that it was so easy and obvious to see where the danger was. 00:07:47.860 --> 00:07:51.279 The danger, the pain, the devastation, it was clearly there. 00:07:51.599 --> 00:07:56.539 And rather than running in the other direction, as many understandably were doing, 00:07:56.540 --> 00:08:01.260 they chose to run into the pain. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:09.800 They purposefully ran toward pain to help others, even if they were hurt themselves. 00:08:11.400 --> 00:08:16.480 That's just one picture of what Jesus is doing in the incarnation. 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:24.400 When he becomes flesh, fully aware of the danger and destruction that are before him, 00:08:24.740 --> 00:08:28.180 Jesus runs toward the pain. 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:36.300 I think that's an interesting reality for us to contemplate because I tend, by nature and 00:08:36.300 --> 00:08:40.800 by choice, to avoid pain and suffering at all costs. 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:48.399 It's not just because I'm a wimp to the point that I don't even like getting flu shots, which 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:49.079 is true. 00:08:50.099 --> 00:08:56.139 But I also design my whole life around avoiding pain and suffering. 00:08:56.939 --> 00:08:59.939 I want to be comfortable and predictable. 00:09:00.819 --> 00:09:03.579 I want to be away from all the mess and the chaos around me. 00:09:03.599 --> 00:09:07.699 I want life to go the way it's supposed to, which is the way that I plan it. 00:09:07.700 --> 00:09:17.660 Don't we design our schedules, our neighborhoods, our finances, even our parenting around avoiding 00:09:17.660 --> 00:09:19.080 pain and suffering? 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:27.800 Maybe like me, you only take on projects you're good at so that you can avoid the pain of failure. 00:09:28.820 --> 00:09:33.180 I used to avoid roller skating rinks as a kid because I was terrible. 00:09:33.379 --> 00:09:37.540 And now as an adult, I avoid house projects for the same reason. 00:09:37.980 --> 00:09:39.340 I'm not good at it. 00:09:39.400 --> 00:09:40.480 I don't want to fail. 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:41.920 So let's stay away. 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:46.440 Maybe that's why I only let my kids do the same thing. 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:48.420 Only the places you're going to succeed. 00:09:50.420 --> 00:09:56.759 Maybe you only enter into relationships or situations that seem controllable or predictable. 00:09:56.759 --> 00:10:10.000 So you can avoid the pain of just mess, of draining conversations and time-consuming people that you just don't want to get involved with. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:19.120 Maybe you try to make enough money to avoid any pain that does come along by buying the best treatment to take care of it. 00:10:19.879 --> 00:10:22.860 There are lots of ways to avoid pain and suffering. 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:30.940 Many of us tend to do it by activity, by getting so busy with things we think we can control or have success in, 00:10:30.940 --> 00:10:35.940 that we'll just busy ourselves so we don't have to acknowledge the difficulty. 00:10:36.840 --> 00:10:39.400 You can also do it by inactivity, can't you? 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:50.160 Just checking out on Netflix or on the computer and ignoring the difficult conversation across the room or across town. 00:10:51.160 --> 00:10:52.780 I'm just going to check out. 00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:56.399 I don't want to deal with the pain, the suffering of the world around me. 00:10:56.799 --> 00:11:04.079 I hold on so tightly to comfort and plan to steer clear of any pain every chance I get. 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:10.240 See, when John tells us that the Word became flesh, 00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:17.120 it's not merely that Jesus sacrificed the glories and the riches and the status of heaven, 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:22.419 although what an incredible sacrifice that he gave those things up. 00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:31.820 But even more, he left those comforts to run into enemy territory, as it were, 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:37.820 knowing that there would be great cost, great pain on a number of levels. 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:42.779 We're going to do this the same way we did last week as we considered his sacrifice. 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:47.220 First, considering how Jesus did this in his incarnation. 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:51.539 Then we'll ask what that means for us. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:58.919 And finally, return to the uniqueness of his incarnation that wins our hearts. 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:05.379 So what was the pain that Jesus ran toward in the incarnation? 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:07.399 Can we define it a little bit? 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:13.100 First, John tells us that Jesus enters the world. 00:12:13.699 --> 00:12:19.079 A world, in fact, that he was in, but the world did not know him. 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:20.179 Verse 10. 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:26.100 Yes, it's the world that he made, but now it's not that perfect world anymore. 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:29.199 It's not the way he originally made it. 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:34.120 It's a fallen world that doesn't even recognize its creator anymore. 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:37.159 It's broken in many ways. 00:12:37.659 --> 00:12:41.200 Suffering is everywhere around us. 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:46.919 When John uses the word world, it often has a negative connotation. 00:12:47.159 --> 00:12:51.799 It's broken and in rebellion against the creator king. 00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:55.759 It's a place that didn't know him, that didn't love him. 00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:59.799 That's the world into which Jesus comes. 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:10.459 And that in itself is part of the pain, the humiliation, the lowering of Jesus from creator of all to tiny baby. 00:13:12.099 --> 00:13:19.599 But as a result of the world's rebellion, this baby is entering a world now full of suffering. 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:29.800 Isaiah 53 is a great prophecy of the coming Christ where he's depicted as a suffering servant. 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:32.240 Verse 3 says it this way. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:42.500 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, familiar with suffering. 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:45.080 Some versions translate. 00:13:45.080 --> 00:14:00.680 A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, familiar with suffering, weeping, thirsting, hungering, hurting. 00:14:01.180 --> 00:14:05.540 These things were not a part of his existence in heaven. 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:13.240 But they become everyday realities for the son of man who has no place to lay his head. 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:16.740 He will experience all sorts of things. 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:18.039 Unjust leaders. 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:21.639 Betrayal by friends. 00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:24.779 The death of loved ones. 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:30.720 Things that were not meant to be a part of his good creation. 00:14:31.820 --> 00:14:42.139 And Jesus sees that billowing cloud of smoke and he runs toward the pain of humiliation and suffering that he knows is there. 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:45.560 But there's another pain. 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:47.860 Jesus knows he's running into. 00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:50.180 The pain of rejection. 00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:52.759 Look at John 1.11. 00:14:53.399 --> 00:15:00.460 He came to his own and his own people did not receive him. 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:03.259 Yes, the world hated him. 00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:05.899 Stood in rebellion against him. 00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:09.480 But now he comes to the people who are supposed to be God's friends. 00:15:10.079 --> 00:15:13.279 Who have been praying and longing for his coming. 00:15:13.559 --> 00:15:16.659 And by and large they reject him too. 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:20.659 Isaiah says it as well. 00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:22.840 He was despised. 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:25.019 Rejected by men. 00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:26.819 He was despised. 00:15:27.199 --> 00:15:30.860 And we esteemed him not. 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:33.019 despised. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:34.080 Rejected. 00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:38.279 I think we all know the pain of those things, don't we? 00:15:38.800 --> 00:15:41.340 We've experienced those in different ways. 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:44.180 But add to that the disappointment. 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:49.340 That these were the ones who should have welcomed him and celebrated him. 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:50.500 His own people. 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:54.159 It's one thing not to get picked. 00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:56.480 Not to get invited to something. 00:15:56.480 --> 00:16:03.039 It's another thing altogether for your supposed friends to be the ones running you off. 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:05.920 Jesus should have been invited to a party. 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:09.620 To celebrate the long awaited king is here. 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:14.600 But one leader after another is looking to kill him. 00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:16.860 He was rejected. 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:18.659 Despised. 00:16:19.180 --> 00:16:21.440 We esteemed him not. 00:16:23.060 --> 00:16:25.779 Certainly the rejection that hurt the worst. 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:30.980 It's the one Jesus must have dreaded from an early age. 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:35.159 The one that caused him to sweat drops of blood. 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:39.200 It was the rejection of his father. 00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:45.159 His father turning his face away from Jesus. 00:16:45.320 --> 00:16:47.840 As Jesus became sin for us, 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:53.300 he experienced the wrath and rejection of a holy God towards sin and rebellion. 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:55.360 And he cries out what? 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:59.500 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:06.880 So as we've been considering this morning, 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:09.700 Jesus was born not merely to live, 00:17:09.860 --> 00:17:12.380 but quite purposefully to die. 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:18.279 The pain of death itself as a result of the rejection of the people 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:19.860 was certainly daunting. 00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:26.119 It wasn't for Jesus merely a possibility when he entered the world, 00:17:26.159 --> 00:17:30.679 as it would have been for those first responders who were risking their lives 00:17:30.679 --> 00:17:32.559 to go in after others. 00:17:32.719 --> 00:17:36.199 For Jesus, it was an absolute certainty. 00:17:36.699 --> 00:17:38.799 He came to die. 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:43.119 We've seen him in Luke as we've been studying over the last few months. 00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:48.159 Set his face to Jerusalem and a cross and tell his disciples, 00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:49.639 I must go there. 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:51.519 This is why I've come. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:53.079 He's not unclear, is he? 00:17:53.899 --> 00:17:58.879 He came to live, but he's headed to a cross because he came to die. 00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:01.940 Let's read more of Isaiah 53. 00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:09.540 Isaiah describes this king is coming for a reason that we just heard James sing about. 00:18:10.100 --> 00:18:13.220 He comes to be pierced for our transgressions. 00:18:13.540 --> 00:18:15.240 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:18:15.780 --> 00:18:18.820 Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:21.800 and with his wounds we are healed. 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:24.220 All we like sheep have gone astray. 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:26.759 We have turned everyone to his own way, 00:18:26.899 --> 00:18:30.299 and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:33.480 He was oppressed and he was afflicted, 00:18:33.879 --> 00:18:35.619 yet he opened not his mouth. 00:18:36.399 --> 00:18:38.559 Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:41.299 and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, 00:18:41.879 --> 00:18:43.740 so he opened not his mouth. 00:18:44.919 --> 00:18:47.680 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:49.559 And as for his generation, 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:52.740 who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:55.539 stricken for the transgression of my people, 00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:57.980 and they made his grave with the wicked, 00:18:58.200 --> 00:19:01.419 and with a rich man in his death. 00:19:03.179 --> 00:19:05.899 Jesus knew this prophecy. 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:09.539 It may not sound like a Christmas one to you, 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:15.919 but there are words here that can note physical agony, 00:19:16.599 --> 00:19:19.259 the painful death of the cross. 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:22.839 There are words here that remind us again of the emotional agony 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:24.339 we were just talking about, 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:27.159 the cursed death of the cross, 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:29.579 receiving the curse of his father. 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:35.740 And Jesus, just imagine him as he's sitting in heaven 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:38.139 with the glories of heaven around him, 00:19:38.419 --> 00:19:42.740 in this perfect, intimate relationship with his father, 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:46.720 the riches of all the world at his fingertips, 00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:49.620 and he reads this prophecy. 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.779 He's told, 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:55.480 this is what the Messiah will endure. 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.440 And he says, 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:59.960 I'll go. 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:03.920 I'll rescue them. 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:07.160 I'll walk into that. 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:13.279 And Jesus runs toward our pain, 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:17.340 fully aware of what it would cost. 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:21.000 If we look back at our definition for the incarnation, 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:28.180 we see that he intentionally chooses to take human flesh, 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:33.180 to enter into this world that he knows is fallen. 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:38.819 He chooses even to pay the price of his own life. 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.259 Why? 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:41.839 In order to redeem us, 00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:43.799 to rescue us, 00:20:43.900 --> 00:20:45.500 to do us good. 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:49.700 Now I'm going to say for the third week in a row, 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:54.539 that the incarnation of Jesus is unique, 00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:56.480 and we can't replicate it. 00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:58.900 We're already human. 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:01.960 We're already living in a fallen world, 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:05.539 so we can't become human or enter a fallen world. 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.299 That's where we are. 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:07.519 That's who we are. 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:12.640 It's not something that we can do as he has done, 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:17.960 but also the primary purpose of the incarnation is to redeem, 00:21:18.840 --> 00:21:21.020 which is not our job, ultimately. 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:24.040 That's the primary purpose, 00:21:24.120 --> 00:21:25.740 not merely to exemplify, 00:21:26.860 --> 00:21:29.060 but here again, 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:31.100 we're going to see in some of these passages, 00:21:31.340 --> 00:21:33.900 God has called us to similar paths 00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:36.600 as what Jesus walked in his incarnation. 00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:38.240 We are, after all, 00:21:38.300 --> 00:21:40.840 to follow in the footsteps of our Savior, right? 00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:47.459 And while my footsteps often set a course away from pain and suffering, 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:50.740 Christmas reminds us 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:54.679 that's not the path that our Savior chose. 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:56.519 He didn't head that direction. 00:21:57.159 --> 00:21:58.959 The footprints of the incarnation 00:21:58.959 --> 00:22:05.839 travel a long way toward pain and suffering. 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:10.559 If we are to love others as Jesus has loved us, 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:11.559 and we are. 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:16.439 If we are called to follow in his footsteps, 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:18.159 and we are, 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:22.839 then our footsteps will carry us toward pain, 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.579 toward brokenness, 00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:26.299 toward suffering, 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:29.000 because we're following his. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:32.059 We've already said this is unnatural 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:34.099 and difficult. 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.940 So let's just make sure 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:39.000 that God's Word tells us this, 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.500 not will. 00:22:41.399 --> 00:22:43.639 That's a very, very important thing. 00:22:43.879 --> 00:22:45.859 Does God's Word tell us this? 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:48.639 Of course, the Bible talks in many places 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:50.440 about our enduring suffering, 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:51.720 and trials, 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:54.200 and tribulations as followers of Christ. 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.720 It even says that we will fill up 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:58.099 his sufferings for the sake of his church. 00:22:58.099 --> 00:23:01.859 But look at John 17 specifically. 00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:03.519 It's a passage where Jesus, 00:23:03.719 --> 00:23:04.419 before his death, 00:23:04.459 --> 00:23:05.899 is praying for us, 00:23:06.139 --> 00:23:07.159 for his followers, 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:09.259 those who will believe in him. 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:11.179 And he prays to his Father, 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:13.359 I have given them your word, 00:23:13.699 --> 00:23:16.339 and the world has hated them, 00:23:17.159 --> 00:23:18.599 because they are not of the world, 00:23:18.679 --> 00:23:20.399 just as I am not of the world. 00:23:21.199 --> 00:23:23.719 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:25.759 but that you keep them from the evil one. 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:27.559 They are not of the world, 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:28.980 just as I am not of the world. 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:30.759 Sanctify them in the truth. 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:32.220 Your word is truth. 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:34.759 As you sent me into the world, 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:39.299 so I have sent them into the world. 00:23:40.879 --> 00:23:44.460 They'll be hated by all for my name's sake, 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:46.480 Jesus will say elsewhere. 00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:49.559 If we are following Jesus, 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:52.059 we can expect to encounter 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:54.779 the rejection that he received 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:56.259 from the world. 00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:57.879 He knows it. 00:23:58.420 --> 00:23:59.599 He prays, 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:01.639 Father, they're going to be hated 00:24:01.639 --> 00:24:03.599 as they go into the world, 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.599 and yet he does what? 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:07.359 Sends them 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:09.240 into the world. 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:11.339 And he prays for us 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:12.559 as we go 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:14.180 into the world. 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.599 Certainly, though, 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:17.740 we're only going to have to face 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.379 the suffering 00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:20.119 and the rejection part, right? 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.420 The dying, 00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:23.420 that's not really for us. 00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:25.240 That was just for Jesus. 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:28.019 I mean, there is that one place 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.539 where he says, 00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:29.720 husbands are to love their wives 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.800 as Christ loved the church 00:24:30.800 --> 00:24:32.360 and gave himself up for them. 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:34.480 So, I mean, that could be, 00:24:34.820 --> 00:24:35.980 oh, but then even the women 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:37.080 aren't off the hook 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:40.600 because John chapter 15, 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:41.380 the same guy, 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.580 the same John, 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:44.560 writes in John chapter 15, 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.859 this is my commandment, 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:47.299 that you love one another 00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:48.599 as I have loved you. 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:50.059 Greater love has no one 00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:50.639 than this, 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:53.440 that someone lay down his life 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:54.839 for his friends. 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.319 And he says it again 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:57.960 in 1 John, 00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:59.779 by this we know love, 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:01.399 that Jesus laid down 00:25:01.399 --> 00:25:02.779 his life for us 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:04.980 and we ought 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:06.899 to lay down our lives 00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:08.419 for the brothers. 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:12.039 all the way 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.840 to the point 00:25:12.840 --> 00:25:14.640 of laying down 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.600 our lives 00:25:15.600 --> 00:25:18.240 parallel to what Jesus did. 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:21.080 We're called to follow Jesus 00:25:21.080 --> 00:25:22.200 into the pain 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:24.220 like a firefighter 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:26.200 rushing into a burning building 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:27.580 while others are rushing 00:25:27.580 --> 00:25:28.779 to get out. 00:25:29.340 --> 00:25:30.539 Jesus calls us 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:32.360 to enter into the mess 00:25:32.360 --> 00:25:33.759 of others' lives 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.420 even at potentially 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:36.500 great cost 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.680 to ourselves. 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:40.640 So let's ask the question 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.160 this morning, 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:42.079 what could following 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:43.680 in our Savior's footsteps 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:45.559 look like for us? 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:48.500 Maybe start with 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:50.259 the suffering part, 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:51.559 especially if you're like me 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:53.660 and running toward pain 00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:54.460 and suffering 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.839 would require 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:56.920 a course correction 00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:58.019 for you. 00:25:58.680 --> 00:26:00.420 Just consider Jesus 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:02.400 who became familiar 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.559 with suffering. 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:05.180 A man of sorrows 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:07.400 familiar with suffering. 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:08.580 Ask yourself, 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:10.580 whose suffering 00:26:10.580 --> 00:26:12.460 are you familiar with? 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.860 Whom are you walking 00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:16.960 with long enough 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:18.039 to understand 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:20.080 and even feel 00:26:20.080 --> 00:26:21.799 their pain? 00:26:23.180 --> 00:26:24.940 We have mission partners 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.700 around the world 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.440 running toward 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:28.240 all sorts of pain. 00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:30.279 One that we're praying 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.080 for together 00:26:31.080 --> 00:26:32.019 this month 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:33.400 in our prayer guide 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:35.379 is Ursula Spooner 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:37.460 in Vienna, Austria 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:39.059 working with 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:40.460 trafficked women. 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:43.440 And you can read here 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:44.559 requests for a 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.940 Chinese girl, 00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:48.799 a Nigerian woman, 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:51.700 a Romanian woman 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:54.480 that she's working with. 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.639 People who know 00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:57.619 deep pain. 00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.940 Aren't you glad? 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:01.259 Someone with the heart 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.779 of Jesus 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:03.000 is there 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.640 for them 00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:05.500 in their pain? 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.740 Isn't that where 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:08.460 the church must be? 00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:10.259 In those places 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.900 with people hurting 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:13.039 like that? 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:16.920 What about you here? 00:27:18.340 --> 00:27:19.140 You know you don't have 00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:20.100 to go around the world 00:27:20.100 --> 00:27:21.059 to find pain 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:22.340 and suffering. 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.740 What about us? 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.500 Are we willing 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.600 to enter into it 00:27:26.600 --> 00:27:27.539 here in Huntsville? 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.539 Whose suffering 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:30.519 are you familiar with? 00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:33.819 Some of you here 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.740 have jumped into 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:36.259 the pain of children 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:37.460 who need parents 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.399 to love them 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:39.839 and care for them. 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.359 And you've begun 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:42.420 fostering 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:44.379 and adopting 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:46.619 and showing 00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:48.139 the love of God 00:27:48.139 --> 00:27:48.559 there. 00:27:48.920 --> 00:27:49.819 Entering into 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.879 that pain 00:27:50.879 --> 00:27:52.079 as I've watched 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:53.099 several of you. 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:54.940 Long term pain. 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:56.120 even when you 00:27:56.120 --> 00:27:57.259 can't fix it 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.440 and it grieves 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:58.980 your heart. 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:00.860 You've entered 00:28:00.860 --> 00:28:01.299 in there. 00:28:02.120 --> 00:28:02.400 And there are 00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:02.700 mothers 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.960 and parents 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:05.320 of those dear ones 00:28:05.320 --> 00:28:05.960 who need to know 00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:06.559 that love 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.700 as well. 00:28:09.340 --> 00:28:10.059 Many of you 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.740 have helped run 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.640 toward the pain 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:12.799 of joblessness 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:14.240 and generational 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:15.000 poverty 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.960 through our 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.980 Jobs for Life 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.559 ministry. 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:18.779 Developing 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.620 relationships 00:28:19.620 --> 00:28:20.400 where the light 00:28:20.400 --> 00:28:20.880 of Jesus 00:28:20.880 --> 00:28:22.080 can shine 00:28:22.080 --> 00:28:22.940 in to both 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:23.440 of us. 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:24.840 It could be 00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:25.279 the pain 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.080 of homelessness 00:28:26.080 --> 00:28:28.299 of racism 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.940 the effects 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:31.000 of predatory 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:32.140 payday lending 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:33.440 and all these 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:34.039 places 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:35.039 where we can 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:36.000 enter in 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.880 to feel 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.700 the pain 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:39.140 first with them 00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:40.680 and then to fight 00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:42.180 to help those 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:42.840 who are hurting. 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.500 God calls us 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.500 to be familiar 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:47.500 with their sufferings. 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:48.960 Too often 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.519 we're not. 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:52.680 maybe you're 00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:53.619 uniquely familiar 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.539 already with 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.839 the sufferings 00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:56.379 of the guy 00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:57.480 next door to you 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:59.400 or in the office 00:28:59.400 --> 00:29:00.940 next door to you. 00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:03.379 Maybe parenting 00:29:03.379 --> 00:29:04.480 anxiety. 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:07.240 The long hours 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.079 at the office 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:09.099 straining 00:29:09.099 --> 00:29:10.019 your marriage. 00:29:11.079 --> 00:29:12.400 The emptiness 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:13.879 of chasing 00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:15.299 after fulfillment 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:16.299 in the things 00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:17.559 of this world 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:19.359 and longing 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.200 to be fulfilled 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:20.659 and not 00:29:20.659 --> 00:29:21.639 finding it. 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:24.019 Run toward 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:25.119 those relationships. 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:26.899 They don't have 00:29:26.899 --> 00:29:27.259 to be around 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:27.539 the world. 00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:27.940 They may be 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.679 next door 00:29:28.679 --> 00:29:29.700 and they may 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.259 be just as 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:31.179 frightening to you. 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.220 Perhaps 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:34.839 following in our 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:35.679 Savior's footsteps 00:29:35.679 --> 00:29:36.419 will look like 00:29:36.419 --> 00:29:37.619 having hard 00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:38.359 conversations 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.079 with a brother 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.700 or sister 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.460 in Christ 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:41.019 about their 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:41.659 relationships. 00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:45.000 When you 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.839 encourage a brother 00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:46.399 or sister 00:29:46.399 --> 00:29:47.319 to forgive, 00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:48.480 in their 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.039 marriage 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:50.740 or in their 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.200 friendship, 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.460 you may expect 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:53.519 to be received 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:55.359 and yet find 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:56.079 your counsel 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:57.019 and even your 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.539 friendship 00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:58.839 to be rejected. 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.259 But God 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:02.059 calls us 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:02.899 graciously 00:30:02.899 --> 00:30:04.740 and patiently 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:06.019 to follow 00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:07.019 Jesus into 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.779 those painful 00:30:07.779 --> 00:30:08.539 situations, 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:09.720 into those 00:30:09.720 --> 00:30:11.179 hard conversations, 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.419 to carry 00:30:12.419 --> 00:30:13.139 each other's 00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:13.559 burdens 00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.779 and call each 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:15.279 other to 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.679 follow Jesus. 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.799 whatever the 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:18.220 sin, 00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:20.060 whatever the 00:30:20.060 --> 00:30:20.560 struggle, 00:30:20.840 --> 00:30:21.680 I'm here 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:23.000 with you 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.420 and Jesus 00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:24.460 is worth it. 00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:27.440 What's the 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.240 situation where 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:28.840 you can already 00:30:28.840 --> 00:30:29.420 see on the 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:29.920 front end 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:31.240 it's really 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:31.840 going to cost 00:30:31.840 --> 00:30:33.060 you to get 00:30:33.060 --> 00:30:33.560 involved? 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:35.080 Who's the 00:30:35.080 --> 00:30:35.440 neighbor, 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.860 co-worker, 00:30:37.340 --> 00:30:38.380 the friend 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:39.980 whose chaos 00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:41.220 could cost you 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:41.799 months, 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.779 even years 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:44.359 perhaps, 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.579 of peace, 00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:46.899 of sanity 00:30:46.899 --> 00:30:47.920 on some 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.319 days? 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:49.039 You won't 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.639 think you 00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:50.599 have the 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.279 time that 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:51.819 you need 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:54.399 if you get 00:30:54.399 --> 00:30:55.119 involved there. 00:30:56.399 --> 00:30:57.220 I've got to 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:57.960 tell you again 00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.859 this morning 00:30:58.859 --> 00:31:00.220 what we said 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:00.920 last week. 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.240 When Jesus 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:03.480 leaves the 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.359 comforts of 00:31:04.359 --> 00:31:05.599 heaven and 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.859 enters into 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.879 this world to 00:31:07.879 --> 00:31:08.619 live and die 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:09.359 for us, 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:11.039 his great goal 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:12.059 is not our 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:13.539 temporal comfort 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:15.379 but rather 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:16.319 that we might 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:17.039 move into 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:17.759 uncomfortable 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:19.500 places with 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.420 uncomfortable 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:21.920 people to 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:23.259 share his 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:25.279 comfort there. 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:28.859 Jesus calls 00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:30.259 us to enter 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:30.920 into the pain 00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:31.599 of this world 00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:33.039 even to the 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:33.799 point of laying 00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:34.680 down our lives 00:31:34.680 --> 00:31:35.599 if we must. 00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:37.059 He certainly 00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:38.099 did so. 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:38.920 He's not 00:31:38.920 --> 00:31:39.819 calling us to 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.420 go anywhere we 00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:40.980 can't already 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.560 see his 00:31:41.560 --> 00:31:42.259 footprints. 00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.440 The ones that 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:43.840 are running 00:31:43.840 --> 00:31:44.460 toward the 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:44.920 pain we 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.600 see them. 00:31:48.860 --> 00:31:49.560 But it's 00:31:49.560 --> 00:31:50.180 also true 00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:51.840 there's a 00:31:51.840 --> 00:31:52.680 difference between 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:53.440 his death 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:54.800 and ours. 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.240 He said our 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.120 death is not 00:31:57.120 --> 00:31:57.860 ultimately 00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:58.779 redemptive. 00:31:59.200 --> 00:31:59.880 We are to 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:00.840 sacrifice in 00:32:00.840 --> 00:32:01.560 others lives 00:32:01.560 --> 00:32:02.120 for their 00:32:02.120 --> 00:32:02.980 good but 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:03.920 only his 00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:04.720 death pays 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:05.200 for their 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:05.880 sins and 00:32:05.880 --> 00:32:07.000 restores their 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:08.340 relationship with 00:32:08.340 --> 00:32:08.820 their heavenly 00:32:08.820 --> 00:32:09.340 father. 00:32:09.339 --> 00:32:10.339 God 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:11.019 is doing 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:11.959 different work 00:32:11.959 --> 00:32:12.759 the pain 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.119 that he 00:32:13.119 --> 00:32:14.039 endures is 00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:14.740 in many ways 00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:15.259 of a different 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:16.439 order than 00:32:16.439 --> 00:32:17.419 that which we 00:32:17.419 --> 00:32:18.119 will face. 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:19.579 And this is 00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:20.539 really good news. 00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:22.119 This is good 00:32:22.119 --> 00:32:23.839 news of gospel 00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:24.899 hope for us 00:32:24.899 --> 00:32:26.839 because no 00:32:26.839 --> 00:32:27.599 matter how hard 00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:28.679 we try we 00:32:28.679 --> 00:32:29.740 can't avoid the 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.279 pain and the 00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:31.279 suffering entirely 00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:31.859 can we? 00:32:31.859 --> 00:32:34.240 I cannot go to 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:35.079 the doctor for 00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:37.599 years trying to 00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:38.919 avoid it and 00:32:38.919 --> 00:32:40.000 I'm still going 00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:40.619 to get sick 00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:41.119 eventually. 00:32:42.679 --> 00:32:43.779 We can try to 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.459 ignore the 00:32:44.459 --> 00:32:45.339 realities around 00:32:45.339 --> 00:32:45.939 us but they 00:32:45.939 --> 00:32:47.219 don't go away. 00:32:47.419 --> 00:32:48.059 We can try to 00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:49.079 pick really safe 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:50.039 relationships with 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:50.619 people who are 00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:51.740 just like me and 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:53.039 then find out that 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:54.079 many of those 00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:54.779 become really 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.979 messy and 00:32:55.979 --> 00:32:57.039 difficult and 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:58.579 complicated too. 00:32:58.579 --> 00:33:01.480 the true hope 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.679 is not that we 00:33:02.679 --> 00:33:03.679 can avoid pain 00:33:03.679 --> 00:33:05.939 but rather that 00:33:05.939 --> 00:33:06.539 we have a 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:07.439 savior who 00:33:07.439 --> 00:33:08.339 enters into 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.439 the pain to 00:33:09.439 --> 00:33:10.359 rescue us. 00:33:10.639 --> 00:33:11.240 So we don't 00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:12.039 have to obsess 00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:13.099 over keeping 00:33:13.099 --> 00:33:13.919 ourselves and 00:33:13.919 --> 00:33:14.659 our kids from 00:33:14.659 --> 00:33:15.659 suffering anymore. 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:17.259 We can obsess 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.419 as it were over 00:33:18.419 --> 00:33:18.879 the one who 00:33:18.879 --> 00:33:20.019 enters into 00:33:20.019 --> 00:33:20.980 suffering and 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.579 loves to 00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:22.960 rescue those 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:23.839 who hurt. 00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:26.720 Think of the 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.799 aspects of pain 00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:28.740 Jesus endured 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:30.000 so we would 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:31.240 never have to. 00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:32.119 Not only did 00:33:32.119 --> 00:33:32.839 he suffer 00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:34.440 humiliation in 00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:35.419 this world so 00:33:35.419 --> 00:33:36.159 that we might be 00:33:36.159 --> 00:33:37.119 honored forever 00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:39.139 but also he was 00:33:39.139 --> 00:33:40.440 rejected by his 00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:41.899 father that we 00:33:41.899 --> 00:33:43.180 might be welcomed 00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:44.500 by our father 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.279 forever. 00:33:45.639 --> 00:33:46.919 Never knowing a 00:33:46.919 --> 00:33:48.039 moment in this 00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:48.839 life or the 00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:49.819 life to come 00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:51.180 where he turns 00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:52.159 his face away 00:33:52.159 --> 00:33:53.000 from us. 00:33:54.159 --> 00:33:54.779 Our father 00:33:54.779 --> 00:33:56.259 always turned 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:57.319 towards us in 00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:57.759 love. 00:33:59.679 --> 00:34:00.419 Not only did 00:34:00.419 --> 00:34:02.019 Jesus die so 00:34:02.019 --> 00:34:02.539 that we might 00:34:02.539 --> 00:34:03.379 live forever 00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:04.919 but also he 00:34:04.919 --> 00:34:05.659 endured the 00:34:05.659 --> 00:34:06.819 pains of hell 00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:08.199 that we might 00:34:08.199 --> 00:34:09.259 know the 00:34:09.259 --> 00:34:10.199 glories of 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:11.420 heaven and we 00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:12.400 never deserved 00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:13.299 and know them 00:34:13.299 --> 00:34:13.779 forever. 00:34:14.779 --> 00:34:15.799 What an amazing 00:34:15.799 --> 00:34:16.259 savior. 00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:18.159 He is the 00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:19.420 great hero of 00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:19.960 this story. 00:34:20.319 --> 00:34:21.219 He is our 00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:22.319 rescuer. 00:34:22.779 --> 00:34:23.440 The one who 00:34:23.440 --> 00:34:25.139 has come to 00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:26.000 save us. 00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:27.920 God, I 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:28.280 want to leave 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:28.880 you with this 00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:30.360 image in your 00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:30.960 minds this 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.300 morning. 00:34:32.619 --> 00:34:33.460 Imagine that 00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:34.039 you've been 00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:36.099 trapped under 00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:37.820 tons of 00:34:37.820 --> 00:34:38.519 rubble. 00:34:40.139 --> 00:34:41.139 Death and 00:34:41.139 --> 00:34:43.280 destruction all 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:44.159 around you and 00:34:44.159 --> 00:34:45.579 your friend is 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:47.000 stuck there next 00:34:47.000 --> 00:34:47.460 to you. 00:34:48.739 --> 00:34:49.440 You're both 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:50.559 completely helpless. 00:34:50.880 --> 00:34:51.860 You're buried so 00:34:51.860 --> 00:34:53.460 deeply under this. 00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:54.440 You're not able 00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:55.460 to get free. 00:34:56.539 --> 00:34:57.139 And a first 00:34:57.139 --> 00:34:58.380 responder rushes 00:34:58.380 --> 00:34:59.199 into the smoke 00:34:59.199 --> 00:35:01.220 and pulls you 00:35:01.220 --> 00:35:02.639 out and rushes 00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:03.280 you out of the 00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:04.079 building to 00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:04.599 safety. 00:35:06.300 --> 00:35:07.240 And then you 00:35:07.240 --> 00:35:08.260 look around and 00:35:08.260 --> 00:35:10.619 imagine following 00:35:10.619 --> 00:35:11.820 his footprints 00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:13.900 the way he just 00:35:13.900 --> 00:35:14.820 walked to come 00:35:14.820 --> 00:35:15.280 after you. 00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:16.220 Imagine following 00:35:16.220 --> 00:35:17.099 those footprints 00:35:17.099 --> 00:35:18.220 right back into 00:35:18.220 --> 00:35:19.860 the pain all the 00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:20.800 way back to your 00:35:20.800 --> 00:35:23.340 friend and 00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:23.880 taking him by 00:35:23.880 --> 00:35:24.720 the hand and 00:35:24.720 --> 00:35:26.580 saying, hey, I'm 00:35:26.580 --> 00:35:26.920 here. 00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:29.440 I know how it 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:30.760 feels to be 00:35:30.760 --> 00:35:31.420 stuck here. 00:35:32.120 --> 00:35:33.140 It's awful. 00:35:34.220 --> 00:35:35.560 It hurts. 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:38.100 And I'm here 00:35:38.100 --> 00:35:38.600 with you. 00:35:39.440 --> 00:35:40.460 And I'm not 00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:41.460 strong enough to 00:35:41.460 --> 00:35:42.620 pull you out. 00:35:42.619 --> 00:35:44.960 but I've got 00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:45.619 good news. 00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:47.759 There's someone 00:35:47.759 --> 00:35:48.519 who is. 00:35:49.299 --> 00:35:50.059 There's a 00:35:50.059 --> 00:35:51.039 rescuer who's 00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:52.000 strong enough 00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:52.980 to pull you 00:35:52.980 --> 00:35:53.900 out and he's 00:35:53.900 --> 00:35:55.179 coming for you. 00:35:56.139 --> 00:35:56.619 I'm going to be 00:35:56.619 --> 00:35:57.259 here with you. 00:35:58.139 --> 00:35:58.679 I want you to 00:35:58.679 --> 00:35:59.059 know him. 00:36:00.359 --> 00:36:01.059 What a great 00:36:01.059 --> 00:36:02.659 privilege that we 00:36:02.659 --> 00:36:03.719 know the rescuer 00:36:03.719 --> 00:36:05.440 who's strong 00:36:05.440 --> 00:36:06.799 enough and 00:36:06.799 --> 00:36:07.920 passionate enough 00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:09.420 to relieve the 00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:10.980 pain of everyone 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:12.199 around us who's 00:36:12.199 --> 00:36:12.480 hurting. 00:36:12.619 --> 00:36:13.719 who comes to 00:36:13.719 --> 00:36:14.519 rescue them. 00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:16.759 To bring him 00:36:16.759 --> 00:36:17.900 to them. 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:19.699 What a great 00:36:19.699 --> 00:36:19.980 joy. 00:36:20.099 --> 00:36:20.519 Let's pray. 00:36:27.500 --> 00:36:28.559 Jesus, we 00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:29.420 worship you and 00:36:29.420 --> 00:36:30.219 we thank you. 00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:33.000 You are cast 00:36:33.000 --> 00:36:34.380 off as an 00:36:34.380 --> 00:36:37.179 enemy that we 00:36:37.179 --> 00:36:37.960 might be welcomed 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:39.039 in as God's 00:36:39.039 --> 00:36:39.460 friend. 00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:41.699 you endured 00:36:41.699 --> 00:36:42.400 torment. 00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:45.240 We might know 00:36:45.240 --> 00:36:46.619 eternal comfort 00:36:46.619 --> 00:36:48.199 and peace. 00:36:48.940 --> 00:36:49.599 You ran 00:36:49.599 --> 00:36:50.800 toward the 00:36:50.800 --> 00:36:52.099 pain so that 00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:52.699 we could be 00:36:52.699 --> 00:36:54.480 rescued from 00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:54.760 it. 00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:56.760 We could 00:36:56.760 --> 00:36:57.659 never thank you 00:36:57.659 --> 00:36:58.079 enough. 00:37:00.139 --> 00:37:00.820 Overwhelm our 00:37:00.820 --> 00:37:01.320 hearts 00:37:01.320 --> 00:37:04.059 with what you 00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:04.760 have done for 00:37:04.760 --> 00:37:05.220 us. 00:37:05.559 --> 00:37:06.280 May our feet 00:37:06.280 --> 00:37:08.519 be eager to 00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:09.080 follow after 00:37:09.080 --> 00:37:09.560 yours. 00:37:11.100 --> 00:37:11.920 We ask it in 00:37:11.920 --> 00:37:12.300 your name. 00:37:13.180 --> 00:37:13.440 Amen. 00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:13.560 Amen. 00:37:17.560 --> 00:37:18.019 For more 00:37:18.019 --> 00:37:18.540 information, 00:37:18.920 --> 00:37:19.840 visit us online 00:37:19.840 --> 00:37:20.240 at 00:37:20.239 --> 00:37:21.119 southwood.org. 00:37:21.119 --> 00:37:22.059 Thank you. 00:37:22.059 --> 00:37:22.239 Thank you.