Pre-In-Post

Jesus has always existed.  He is God.  He did not make His debut in Bethlehem.  He has always been.  He was not created; He is the Creator!  “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16).  “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:3).

Before I continue, let me define the word “incarnate.”  It simply means “in the flesh.”  Bethlehem’s Baby was God incarnate.

But note, Jesus was also the pre-incarnate Son of God Who made several appearances on earth BEFORE Bethlehem.  Let me recall a popular example.  Do you remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the three Hebrew men who refused to kneel before King Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian idol?  The story is found in Daniel 3. 

These three Jews refused to bow down to a false god, and the king became outraged and commanded them to be thrown into a fiery furnace. “Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath…he commanded certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire” (3:19a-20).

Then something or Someone wonderful happened! “Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, ‘Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?’  They replied to the king, ‘Certainly, O king.’  He said, ‘Look!  I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!’” (verses 24-25).

The book of Daniel was written 600 years before Jesus was born as a babe in Bethlehem.  The story of the three Hebrew children features the pre-incarnate Christ, when Jesus made one of several appearances on the earth. Jesus showed up in Nebuchadnezzar’s incinerator to protect Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. 

This story is probably the most renown regarding the pre-incarnate Christ.  Usually in the Old Testament, the description, “Angel of the Lord” also refers to Jesus. Actually, Gideon, one of Israel’s judges, met Him (pre-incarnate Jesus) face to face.  His story is recorded in Judges 6-8.

So, we understand that Jesus made pre-incarnate appearances and subsequently the incarnate Christ was born of Mary in approximately 29 B.C.  In just a few days, our attention will again focus on the Christmas story, the incarnation, when the cries of the God-Man could be heard in a Bethlehem manger.  “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman…” (Galatians 4:4).  Birthday celebrations will honor Bethlehem’s Baby, but our worship will be directed toward the glorified, risen Christ!

Okay, we’ve discussed two terms:  pre-incarnate and incarnate.  Now, let’s move on to “post-incarnate.”  By post-incarnate, we mean those times when Jesus periodically reveals Himself on earth, either in the form of visions, dreams or even theophanies, which are visible manifestations of God in human form.

Does Jesus make appearances on the earth today? I believe He does.  I understand this discussion requires a subjective viewpoint; however, if He came pre-incarnate, then incarnate, why would He not appear in a post-incarnate fashion?  Just asking!

At any rate, we hear stories of many Muslims in the Middle East coming to Christ after He appears to them in dreams and visions.  The stories are both fascinating and emotionally charged.

My dad, who for the most part hardened his heart toward the Gospel all of his life, experienced a post-incarnate visitation of Jesus just two days before he passed away.  Lori and I were visiting him at the VA Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania.  Dad said, “Rog, guess who visited me last night?”  I of course thought he was referring to one of my siblings.

However, after family roll call dad said, “No, Jesus did.”  Ironically, I asked, “Jesus who?” 

He then told us something that shook us to our core: “Jesus came to me last night.  He stood over in that corner.”  I said, “How did you know it was Jesus?”  To which he answered, “Because He had nail prints right here” (pointing to his wrists).  We were flabbergasted, but overjoyed!

My dad was entirely convinced that it was Jesus in his hospital room, and he came to faith in the nail-scarred Savior!  He was a changed man!  Was it the post-incarnate Jesus?  Dad thought so, and I do too!  It matters not whether it was a dream or a vision.  It worked!  Two days later dad met his night visitor face to face!

I thank God for the pre-incarnate Jesus.  I marvel over His incarnation, which we soon will celebrate joyously.  And I have no problem believing that the risen Christ still shows up on the earth to bring His Kingdom into hard-hearted hearts.  He “the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, Who is and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).    

I hope you have a wonderful, Merry Christmas.  May the Christ of Christmas –the God-Man, the incarnate God – have entrance into your heart like never before.

Santa Claus, My Friend

Santa Claus was always part of our Christmas celebrations during my boyhood.  As a matter of fact, the Ole' Boy was quite good to me then, and continues to delight my holidays!  I choose not to engage in the Santa Claus debate.  Frankly, I think it's a moot point.  Believe me, there are far more important matters to preach about.  I'm just real sure God is not sitting on His universal throne, wringing His hands over whether or not you and I embrace Santa Claus!

Sadly, some pastors place their personal convictions on their congregations and preach them as doctrine.  Jesus warned us about such matters.  Obviously, the Bible does not address the matter of Santa Claus, so that automatically places his involvement in your life in the "non-essential, it-doesn't-matter" category.  If Santa Claus is an unnecessary fabrication in your mind, then don't place his picture on your front door.  If your Christmas would not be the same without the legendary, jolly fat man, then remember to leave him refreshments close to your Christmas tree on Christmas Eve!

In our home, our four kids wrote Santa detailed letters, listing their Christmas "wants."  We then mailed those letters to Lori's dad, and he called the kids on the telephone, talking in his deep "Ho-ho-ho" voice, so as to disguise himself. Our kids got the biggest charge out of this annual gig!  That is, of course, until they were old enough to recognize Papa's voice.  At that point Santa became a fond memory.

You see, there are "essentials" in the Christian life, and there are "non-essentials."  The virgin birth is an example of a non-negotiable essential.  Santa Claus definitely fits in the "non-essential, it-doesn't matter" category.  Naturally, we taught our children the true meaning of Christmas as soon as they were old enough to understand.  As a matter of fact, one of our household traditions was the reading of the Christmas story recorded in Luke 2 before the kids opened their gifts.

I just don't get hung up over such matters.  Who cares?  Santa Claus and Christmas trees are neither evil nor good.  They are neutral expressions of holiday tradition.  And God doesn't care either way.  Christians who use Jeremiah 10:1-5 to support God’s disapproval of Christmas trees forget two things:

1. Israel was literally copy-catting the heathen nations around them. They worshiped false gods, one being ornate trees. Proper biblical interpretation mandates that the reader understands the original intentions of the author.  Christmas trees exist in most every civilized nation of the world, and as far as I know, no one is bowing down to them.

2. Everything in the Old Testament has to be filtered through the cross and dissected from its law-based principles. Jeremiah 10:1-5 does not discuss a command to keep; it warns Israel to live lives separate from idolatrous practices.  Today, both saints and sinners put up Christmas trees! 

If Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, St. Nicholas, Father Christmas or whoever he may be called, have no room in your life or Christmas experience, that’s fine.  But please don’t throw cold water on those of us who appreciate the joy they bring at Christmas time around the world.

  
I can't close without telling this true, delightful story.  Dr. and Mrs. Harry Yates sang and spoke one year during our senior adults Christmas dinner.  Harry, being a prankster, walked into the room wearing a Santa hat.  One of our precious saints, however, did not appreciate Harry's red fur-lined cap.  He said to Pastor Yates, "I don't appreciate you wearing a Santa hat in the church."

I'll never forget what happened next.  Harry looked at the dear man and replied, "What?  You mean after all I've done for your family?  After all those years of climbing down your chimney, risking life and limb to deliver Christmas gifts to your children, and this is the thanks I get?"  The man's countenance changed dramatically.  He was totally bewildered and speechless!  He walked away in a fog!

If Santa Claus is part of your Christmas celebration--fine.  If not, that's fine, too.  Just don't tell the rest of us who enjoy the spirit of giving that because he misrepresents the real meaning of Christmas, we are wrong to acknowledge him.  Leave such matters in the hands of individual believers.

Finally, allow me to end with an easily recognized quote:  "Ho-ho-ho, Merry Christmas!"