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HOME / PROCLAMATION! MAGAZINE / 2011 / OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER / ASK THE PASTOR

October November December 2011
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4

iStock000006403572withTEN1 D E P A R T M E N T S

Ask the PASTOR

The cross with Christmas
Dale Ratzlaff

Why do evangelical Christians mix the glory of Christmas with the agony of the cross?

We recently rented a U-Haul utility trailer to haul some mulch for our garden. I noticed, going down the road, that in my rear view mirror I could read, "55 MPH" written on the fender of the trailer. However, when standing by the fender, the writing was flipped and made no sense. It was specifically painted in a backwards position to be a constant reminder to the driver every time he glanced in the rear view mirror. Such are many of the Old Testament rituals, symbols, and events; they can only be perceived correctly when seen in the rear view mirror and lined up with the silhouette of the cross.

This shadow/fulfillment motif is evident in the New Testament as well. Focusing on the events of the birth and death of Jesus we discover that these two events have been merged together.

When Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms he said, "My eyes have seen your salvation."1 The writer of Hebrews links the Author of our salvation to the suffering of the cross.2

Simeon continued, "behold the child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel."3 We can almost hear the dreadful words, "His blood be on us and on our children!"4 But not all would reject this Child. "And as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God."5

Addressing Mary, Simeon said, "A sword will pierce even your own soul." I cannot image the horror, the agony, and pain that pierced the heart of Mary gazing at her Son, nailed to the cross.

When seeing the baby Jesus, aged Anna gave thanks to God for the coming redemption. But it was not until the cross that the redemption price was paid in full.6

Perhaps we can perceive some similarity between the swaddling clothes,7 the seamless tunic woven in one piece,8 and the linen cloths worn by the high priest on the Day of Atonement who, after the atonement had been made by the scapegoat,9 left those linen garments in the Holy Place.10 Now that the curtain has been torn from top to bottom,11 the work of our High Priest is done. Could it be that the "linen wrappings" lying in the empty tomb12 are to be a sign to us that the atonement for sin has been finished once for all, completed by our Lord, our High Priest who bore our sins away by suffering outside the gate?13

Yes, looking in the rear view mirror at the birth of Jesus and His death upon the cross, we see that these two events have been woven together into one seamless garment of divine purpose. He was born to die—for you and me! It is done! Listen, hear the angels singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."14 †

Endnotes

Lk. 2:30.
Heb. 2:10.
Lk. 2:34.
Mat. 27:25.
Jn. 1:12.
Rom. 3:24-26.
Lk. 2:12 KJV.
Jn. 19:23.
Lev. 16:10.
Lev. 16:22, 23.
Mt. 27:51; Mk. 15:38; Lk. 23:45.
Jn. 20:5-7.
Heb. 13:12.
Lk. 2:14 KJV.

Dale and Carolyn Ratzlaff have authored five books concerning Adventism: Sabbath in Christ—a volume that explains new covenant Sabbath rest, Cultic Doctrine of Seventh-day Adventism—explores the unique doctrine of a pre-advent judgment that decides eternal destinies, Truth About Adventist "Truth"—a little book that's perfect to give to Christians that need to understand Adventism, Truth Led Me Out—in which Dale Ratzlaff tells his own story of following Jesus, no matter the cost, and My Cup Overflows—Carolyn's autobiography. Each of these books is available at www.LifeAssuranceMinistries.com or by phoning 800-355-7073.

Dale Ratzlaff, the founder of Life Assurance Ministries and Proclamation! magazine, has a new blog at LifeAssuranceMinistries.blogspot.com.