Don't Hang onto Pictures, Grab the Real Thing: Matthew 1:1-25

Don't Hang onto Pictures, Grab the Real Thing
Matthew 1:1-25

Introduction
1. During any war, husbands are often separated from their pregnant wives and see their new child only after coming home following the close of the war. One such "mother tried to bridge the problem of this separation by practicing a little ritual each night as she put her child to bed. Each evening after putting on his pajamas, the little boy would kneel at his bed to say his prayer than run over to a picture of his father, kiss the picture and then tumble into bed. This went on for almost three years. Then one day the father returned and at night the mother said, "Now you can kiss your father good-night." So the little boy kissed his father's picture and tumbled into bed, leaving his father standing with open, empty arms"
2. Each year without needing any prompting people keep the usual traditions or "kiss the picture" so to speak, receiving Jesus only as a presence in the world but not as the savior in their lives, Jn. 1:12-13. To most, once a year Jesus becomes only the symbol of hope in the world but not the hope. Though Jesus stands ready with open arms to welcome all, the majority see only the picture.
3. Though born over two thousand years ago Jesus is alive still. Many people are born, live and die. Jesus was born, lived, died, was resurrected back to life and lives here today. The great news is not that he was born or that he symbolizes hope but that through death for our sins and his resurrection back to life again, he is our living hope here with us every day.
From Where did Jesus Come? 1:1-19; Lk. 3:23-38.
1. Though the list of names in this genealogy are impressive, to anyone who does not know their significance, Jesus appears as just one more person who lived on this earth, breathed and died.
2. In a comic strip, Calvin, a little boy and Hobbes his stuffed toy tiger were having a conversation. Calvin asked Hobbes "Do you know where babies come from?" Hobbes checked the back of Calvin's shirt and informed him, "You came from Taiwan."
3. "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." 1:18-20; Joh 1:1-4; 14; cp. Ro 1:1-4.
The Significance of Jesus' Coming, 1:20-23.
1. "He ... will save His people from their sins."
  1. Knowing Jesus' mission adds still more significance to his coming.
  2. The famous scientist, Niels Bohr visited Kronborg Castle and commented, "Isn't it strange how this castle changes as soon as one imagines that Hamlet lived here? ... Suddenly the walls and ramparts speak a quite different language ... And once we know that, Krongborg becomes quite a different castle for us."
  3. Knowing Jesus, amid millions of other planets, stars and galaxies not only came into this world but died for our sins, should change our view of this world or life, Ps 24:1-10..
    1. Still many see only a picture of hope once a year while the very hope stands before us with his arms opened to welcome us.
    2. Many people use traditions like a wooden leg to help them hobble along through a season, and like the little boy with the picture, year after year strap them on again never becoming part of the real thing.
    3. In one of the famous Peanuts comic strips, a little girl declares that traditions are a time for kindness and good will; a time when we accept others into our homes and lives. When Charlie Brown asked why everyday can't be that way she asked, "What are you, some kind of religious fanatic?"
    4. Jesus doesn't come once or even twice a year but is here today, everyday, always and our presence with him depends on throwing the pictures away.
2. We have looked briefly at where Jesus came from, the significance of his coming but we have yet to stress he came and accomplished his mission.
The Past Fact of Jesus' Coming, 1:24-25
1. "a virgin until she gave birth ... to Jesus," presupposes that she gave birth to Jesus.
  1. George Whitefield (an 18th century preacher of the Wesleyan movement) was asked why he spent so much time preaching on, "You must be born again," Jn. 3:3. He replied it was because, "You must be born again!"
  2. Jesus too had to be born but he doesn't need rebirth every year. If we want to celebrate something let's celebrate his resurrection into heaven and become a part in the great meaning behind it.
2. The U.S. News and World Report once did a survey in which it asked people between 18 and 24 to name someone they admire and would imitate. The list of favorites included Clint Eastwood, Sally Fields, Tina Turner and Stephen Spielberg. No one mentioned Jesus. Is it no wonder in a world still looking at pictures.
  1. A local television weatherman was in the habit of concluding each nightly news report with photographs of sunsets submitted by viewers. One week in three successive evenings he showed pictures of one particular sunset taken at the same time by three photographers from slightly different locations. It was amazing how dissimilar were the three views.
  2. Different standpoints produce different views.
    1. Sometimes it is all in how we look at something that determines our response to it.
    2. To emphasize Jesus as a baby leaves the world still waiting for a savior.
    3. To emphasize Jesus on the cross leaves no hope.
    4. If we could teach people to emphasis the resurrected Jesus in their lives than perhaps they would be ready to give their life in obedience and service to God.
3. One might point out Jesus will come again but even then it will not be as a new born baby but to receive those of us who are reborn.
  1. Jesus is here now and always but to take part in his coming we must be buried into his death and continue in the new lives he has given us.
  2. Let's discard the pictures and hang on to the real hope - Jesus, reflecting our part with him.