"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. ~ Malachi 3:1-2 (NIV)
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The Jews were looking for a Messiah that would vindicate their earthly enemies and re-establish them as the elite people of God. But God let them know that their Messiah was much more than a dealer in a governmental card game. He is a refiner of men's souls. A launderer of the heart.
God needed them to be prepared, because Jesus was going to shake up the Hebrew nation and the world, from the religious leaders right on down to the beggar in the street. And, indeed He did, and many were not ready -- not prepared for the depth of this Messiah, who had no intention of overthrowing the Roman government, but had every intention of overthrowing evil in men's hearts.
How prepared are people today for this kind of God? It seems like many want a fluffy, "feel good" kind of God, who makes them feel warm and fuzzy and happy. Conviction of sin? Not so warm and fuzzy. Challenged to give up selfish pride and ambition? Not so "feel good". And so they often make up their own God, who gives them that "feel good" feeling, without the painful process of letting go of sin and self, without the hard work of turning over habits and hangups to God in exchange for healing and wholeness.
Many non-believers can embrace the manger. It's a sweet scene that graces the cover of Christmas cards and tree ornaments. A baby is so cute and cuddly, right? But cute and cuddly gives way to a divider of soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12), and many people shy away, or walk away. What they don't understand is that Jesus loves them too much to allow them to be eternally separated from Him. He has to get at the heart of the matter, so that spiritual healing can take place. He says, Forget about "warm and fuzzies"! If you could only see what your soul looks like without Me, you would flee in horror! You are rotten and dead on the inside, and I came here to rescue you from spiritual death! I want My love to make you feel warm and fuzzy, but getting past self won't feel good. In fact, it will be hard and painful. But your soul is at stake, and I give My life in death for you. That is the essence of the manger.
Do you embrace the Messiah -- the Christ -- for who He really is? Or do you shy away toward a false version of Him, one who doesn't tap into your selfish heart and sinful ways, one who speaks only of love and good cheer and happiness and balloon hearts? Almost gives me a vision of a parade clown. Many church-goers choose a church that makes them feel good. But as soon as the pastor begins to preach the Word where conviction is felt, they are "outta there". They just can't stand the cutting of the sword of the Word of God. Jesus is that Word. He is that sword.
So, are you willing to submit to the Word, to the Christ? It's not for the faint at heart, because your heart and mind will be pushed and pulled, prodded and poked -- getting down to the nitty-gritty of sin and self. But an amazing thing happens when you fully submit to His Messiahship . . . you know experientially the deep spiritual joy of a relationship with God Himself and the peace that comes with obedience to Him.
No pain, no gain. Fluffy gets you nothing but futile. Make your choice.
Love,
Joelene
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