November 30th, 2025
by Skott Jensen
by Skott Jensen
A Compartmentalized Jesus
Ministering over the years, I have noticed a pattern from people on their perception of Jesus. The pattern is the way they compartmentalize Jesus. Christmas- Baby Jesus; Easter- Suffering/Resurrected Savior; Rapture- Heaven; Return of Jesus- Judgement/Hope. Traditions and teachings often separate each of these which can lead to different views of Jesus being the Son of God. I believe that a growing relationship, over a period of time, with Jesus will allow people to understand intimacy with God. In short, relationship should be our primary focus and not events. Merry Resurrection Return Christmas!
Embracing the Light in a Dark World
There's something powerful about breaking free from tradition. Not the sacred traditions that draw us closer to God, but the comfortable routines that allow us to go through the motions without truly engaging our hearts. When we walk through the doors of worship, we shouldn't be waiting for the perfect musical note or the right atmosphere to connect with God. He desires our hearts, not our voices. He wants all of us, not just the parts we're comfortable offering.
As we enter the Christmas season, it's easy to get caught up in the festivities and forget the revolutionary truth at the center of it all: Jesus didn't come to earth so we could exchange gifts and drink hot cocoa. He came to give us life, and to give it more abundantly. While we should certainly celebrate His birth, we must remember that Jesus isn't in the cradle anymore. He's not even on the cross. He's seated at the right hand of the Father, and that changes everything.
Before the Beginning
To truly understand who Jesus is, we need to go back further than Bethlehem. John 1:1 takes us to a place before time itself: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This isn't just poetic language. This is the foundation of our faith. Jesus existed before creation. He was there at the very beginning because He IS the beginning.
Through Him, all things were made. Everything we see, touch, and experience came into existence through the creative power of Christ. When we create something, we're simply rearranging what God has already made. He is the original Creator, the source of all life.
And here's the mind-blowing part: "In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." The darkness cannot comprehend the light. It cannot consume it or overcome it. No matter how dark the world becomes, the light of Christ continues to shine, and we are called to be reflections of that light.
The Incredible Humility of God
Philippians 2:6-8 reveals something almost incomprehensible about Jesus: "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
Think about what this means. Jesus left His heavenly home to walk on this corrupt, broken earth. He didn't have to do it. He could have remained in the glory and perfection of heaven. But His love for us was so great that He willingly stepped down from His throne to become one of us.
He became a servant. Not just a servant to God the Father, but a servant to humanity. This is our calling too: to serve God and to serve one another in humility and love. Not with our opinions or agendas, but with genuine, sacrificial love that mirrors Christ's own heart.
Jesus put aside His rights and authority. He didn't give them away, but He restrained them. When Satan tempted Him in the wilderness, Jesus had the power to end it all right there. He could have bound the enemy and finished the battle in an instant. But He chose a different path. He chose humility, obedience, and perfect timing.
This teaches us something crucial: sometimes we have the authority and power to act, but we must wait for God's timing. We must ask, "Lord, is it time? Should I do this now?" Waiting requires faith. It requires trust. It requires the same humility that Jesus demonstrated.
The Criminal's Death
Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death, "even death on a cross." This wasn't just any death. Crucifixion was reserved for criminals, for the lowest members of society. The God of the universe, the Creator of all things, died a criminal's death. You cannot get much lower than that.
When darkness covered the land for three hours while Jesus hung on the cross, it was the darkest moment in all of creation. Not because light had been extinguished, but because humanity was in a waiting period. The bridge between God and man was being built through the most profound act of love the world has ever known.
Even at the very point of death, Jesus prayed, "Father, if it is your will, take this cup from me." He was obedient all the way to the end. This is the level of obedience God calls us to: complete surrender, even when the path is painful, even when we don't understand.
Walking in the Light
As we move through this season, let's remember that the greatest gift we can give is Jesus Christ Himself. Not through obligation or tradition, but through genuine love and service to others. We are called to be the light of the world, and that means living differently.
We're not candles meant to be blown out. We're meant to shine continuously, reflecting the eternal light of Christ. This world is dark, and it's getting darker. But the darkness cannot overcome the light. It never has, and it never will.
The same Jesus who existed before creation, who humbled Himself to walk among us, who died a criminal's death, and who now sits at the right hand of the Father is coming back soon. The signs are all around us. And when He returns, may He find us faithful, walking in His light, and sharing His love with a world that desperately needs it.
Embracing the Light in a Dark World
There's something powerful about breaking free from tradition. Not the sacred traditions that draw us closer to God, but the comfortable routines that allow us to go through the motions without truly engaging our hearts. When we walk through the doors of worship, we shouldn't be waiting for the perfect musical note or the right atmosphere to connect with God. He desires our hearts, not our voices. He wants all of us, not just the parts we're comfortable offering.
As we enter the Christmas season, it's easy to get caught up in the festivities and forget the revolutionary truth at the center of it all: Jesus didn't come to earth so we could exchange gifts and drink hot cocoa. He came to give us life, and to give it more abundantly. While we should certainly celebrate His birth, we must remember that Jesus isn't in the cradle anymore. He's not even on the cross. He's seated at the right hand of the Father, and that changes everything.
Before the Beginning
To truly understand who Jesus is, we need to go back further than Bethlehem. John 1:1 takes us to a place before time itself: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This isn't just poetic language. This is the foundation of our faith. Jesus existed before creation. He was there at the very beginning because He IS the beginning.
Through Him, all things were made. Everything we see, touch, and experience came into existence through the creative power of Christ. When we create something, we're simply rearranging what God has already made. He is the original Creator, the source of all life.
And here's the mind-blowing part: "In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." The darkness cannot comprehend the light. It cannot consume it or overcome it. No matter how dark the world becomes, the light of Christ continues to shine, and we are called to be reflections of that light.
The Incredible Humility of God
Philippians 2:6-8 reveals something almost incomprehensible about Jesus: "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
Think about what this means. Jesus left His heavenly home to walk on this corrupt, broken earth. He didn't have to do it. He could have remained in the glory and perfection of heaven. But His love for us was so great that He willingly stepped down from His throne to become one of us.
He became a servant. Not just a servant to God the Father, but a servant to humanity. This is our calling too: to serve God and to serve one another in humility and love. Not with our opinions or agendas, but with genuine, sacrificial love that mirrors Christ's own heart.
Jesus put aside His rights and authority. He didn't give them away, but He restrained them. When Satan tempted Him in the wilderness, Jesus had the power to end it all right there. He could have bound the enemy and finished the battle in an instant. But He chose a different path. He chose humility, obedience, and perfect timing.
This teaches us something crucial: sometimes we have the authority and power to act, but we must wait for God's timing. We must ask, "Lord, is it time? Should I do this now?" Waiting requires faith. It requires trust. It requires the same humility that Jesus demonstrated.
The Criminal's Death
Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death, "even death on a cross." This wasn't just any death. Crucifixion was reserved for criminals, for the lowest members of society. The God of the universe, the Creator of all things, died a criminal's death. You cannot get much lower than that.
When darkness covered the land for three hours while Jesus hung on the cross, it was the darkest moment in all of creation. Not because light had been extinguished, but because humanity was in a waiting period. The bridge between God and man was being built through the most profound act of love the world has ever known.
Even at the very point of death, Jesus prayed, "Father, if it is your will, take this cup from me." He was obedient all the way to the end. This is the level of obedience God calls us to: complete surrender, even when the path is painful, even when we don't understand.
Walking in the Light
As we move through this season, let's remember that the greatest gift we can give is Jesus Christ Himself. Not through obligation or tradition, but through genuine love and service to others. We are called to be the light of the world, and that means living differently.
We're not candles meant to be blown out. We're meant to shine continuously, reflecting the eternal light of Christ. This world is dark, and it's getting darker. But the darkness cannot overcome the light. It never has, and it never will.
The same Jesus who existed before creation, who humbled Himself to walk among us, who died a criminal's death, and who now sits at the right hand of the Father is coming back soon. The signs are all around us. And when He returns, may He find us faithful, walking in His light, and sharing His love with a world that desperately needs it.
No Comments