βO come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalmsβ (Psalm 95:1,2).
The final verse of the classic Christmas carol highlights todayβs Scripture.
βThis, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.β
As the shepherds and angels gathered around Baby Jesusβ manger, we can only wonder what immense joy filled their hearts. In that world of oldβplagued by the same basic problems of our modern worldβHe was a Beacon in the dark and a Solace in the misery. They undoubtedly sang right in the midst of all those farm animals! They were so thrilled to see God working in their presence. They were now standing before His baby crib!
Sinners today are greatly encouragedβyea, urgedβto come by faith to Godβs Son, Jesus Christ, right this moment. They are not to come by faith to His crib, for He is no longer a Baby. Rather, they are to come by faith to His cross, where He gave up that life for us! βBut God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for usβ (Romans 5:8). What we need to do is rely exclusively on Jesus Christβs finished crosswork, His shed sinless blood and His resurrection, as sufficient payment for our sins.
As with Jesusβ birth, for those who do not want to see anything, they do not see anything. Those who see are people who want to see. It has nothing to do with God hiding anything from anyone. What did Jesus tell the Jews? βIf any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myselfβ (John 7:17).
Although Jesus Christ is not physically here today, we can still haste to bring Him laud. We can praise Him highly in a public context. First, we can believe on Him and His finished crosswork. Then, we can tell others how they too can be saved through Calvary! source
