“Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shown bright with the glory of the lord.  They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them.  Don’t be afraid, he said.  I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone!  The savior-yes, the messiah, the lord-has been born tonight in Bethlehem!”  Luke 10:9-11 (TLB)

 The Shepherds had just been given the greatest news in the history of mankind.  The change agent of god’s relationship with man, the baby who would restore communion between man and god, had arrived.  The earth, ready or not, was receiving her king.The promise of restoration, of the second Adam cleaning up the mess the first Adam had made, was at hand.

 They did what was natural.  They ran into Jerusalem, telling everyone what they had seen.  They described the appearance of the angel, followed by the armies of heaven, and the way the pasture had been turned from night into day by the glory of the Almighty God Himself!  They Told everyone what the angels had announced, “Glory to god in the highest heaven, and peace on earth for all pleasing him.” The restoration, the repair, of the relationship between god and man, destroyed in the Garden of Eden, would soon be repaired by a baby sleeping in a manger.

 I Plead The Cross

God’s Word warns us that we will have to give an accounting of our life. We know we will enter Jehovah’s throne room, and stand for our final judgment. A record of every thing we have done, said, and experienced will be there for Him to use in rendering this eternal and unalterable judgment. Nothing can be hidden from Him, because our heart, and our mind, is an open book to our Creator.

I have sinned in my life, many, many times. I have been filled with hate, and angry without just cause. Like the Prodigal son, I have walked away from a personal relationship with my Master, and allowed a wall to be built between me and my Lord. I have gotten involved in things that I never should have, and hurt many people who love me. I have let down my family by not being the Spiritual leader in my home. I have cursed the Lord who died so I could live. I have abused the freedom bought with His very life blood.

When I kneel for my judgment, as God looks down from His judicial bench, I will wait for Him to ask my plea. There is only one plea to make. I am too much of a sinner to have any other options. With my body overcome with emotion, sobbing so hard I shake, as I await my eternal destiny, and with tears streaming from my eyes, I will tell Him “Father, I plead the cross.”

I plead the cross, where my Messiah was nailed through His hands and His feet. I plead the cross, where the one with no sin died for mine. I plead the cross, where His precious flow of blood purchased my pardon. Oh, Master, I plead the cross. Please have mercy on me, Father. I am just a sinner, but I plead the cross!

Suddenly, God’s countenance changes. The stern look is replaced by an indescribable look of love. Though we had been alone, I see the glory of my Messiah enter the judgment room. Then I hear the words I have longed for, prayed for, and hoped for all my life. “Timothy,” Jesus says, “well done my good and faithful servant, well done!”