Who is the Christ of Christmas? - Part 3

Acts 7:54-59
The Stoning of Stephen

When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

Have you ever wondered or been asked as a Christian, if Jesus is real, where is he when bad things happen to innocent people? I will admit is isn't an easy question and one I think many people avoid or simply glaze over. Let's look at the scripture for our answer.

Stephen was murdered in the most brutal kind of attack. As bad as anything we see on the news in our day. He was stoned to death. Can you imagine the horror? Can you imagine the pain, the fear? I can't and that is how I feel when I see a news report of someone brutally murdered. A child taken and found in a trash dump. How awful there last moments on this earth must have been? Where was Jesus, why did he not protect them?

Well, take a closer look and you will discover the miracle in the horror....Jesus WAS right there!! He made SURE Stephen could see him. He made SURE Stephen knew he was not alone. He wasn't sitting at the right hand of God. He was standing, not a passive gesture, but a protective posture. The scripture doesn't say it, but knowing my Christ of Christmas, I know He was weeping as well, his heart breaking at the horror befalling Stephen.

You see, Jesus, God, doesn't leave us alone in our darkest hour. He is there, and he let's us know he is there, giving us comfort to withstand the pain, the horror, the fear. He wraps His arms around that child in those most frightening moments, weeping with them and for them. Ready to take them home to His house where there will be no more pain.

God didn't put sin and death into this world. He created us to live with Him in peace and harmony. God doesn't do bad things. God is kind. God is loving. God is merciful. God created a world free of sin and death. However, he gave us the free choice to love. In that free choice, WE brought sin and death into the world and broke God's original design.

Because of our choice to sin, God willing sent his own Son to suffer a horrific death, to suffer the most painful death, so we could have eternal life.So, never forget this gem, God knows the pain of horrible loss just as the parents of the child brutally murdered. He knows what it is like to see His innocent Son suffer and die a tragic death. But he also knew the resurrection would follow and THAT my friend, is the Christ of Christmas.

Those of us who chose to believe, have faith in our Risen Lord, the true Christ of Christmas have been saved from the world of death and sin. So, no matter what horrible things may happen to us, we can take comfort in knowing Jesus will be right there with us, to take us home to His Heavenly Kingdom, where death and suffering live no more.

John 11:32-33
"When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled." (NIV)

John 11:35
"Jesus wept." (NIV)

Dear Lord, it is so hard to understand the horrific events that happen. Thank You for this reminder in Stephen's story. Even though we may never have answers on this side of eternity we can still stand on the truth that You are good even when life isn't. But Lord Jesus, please pour out Your loving comfort and reassurances. Be our Christ of Christmas everyday. In Jesus' Name, Amen.