THE REALITY OF CHRISTMAS/PSALM 2

            Have you been paying any attention to what the President of Iran has been saying?  Just this past week he predicted that Britain , Israel and the United States would eventually disappear from the world.  It seems that he believes he has a part to play in the bringing to an end our nation, Britain , and Israel . 

            What does this have to do with our celebration of Christmas in 2006?  Here’s the connection: Jesus, born as the Son of God, was also born to be King cf. John 18:37.  It is Jesus alone who decides whether one is “far away from the teachings of God,” not the President of Iran.  Psalm 2 gives us, as true believers, great comfort in the midst of political unrest, saber rattling, and the threat of nuclear destruction.  Psalm 2 helps us understand the whole picture–what’s gone on before, what’s going on now, and what will come to pass.  We can summarize Psalm 2 by stating: We can be encouraged today, in spite of the present disorder and rebellion in our world, because the Anointed One will rule upon the earth.  So, let’s consider this Psalm with this in mind.  This psalm is made up of four equal sections of three verses.  The first sections draws our attention to ...

I) THE RESOLUTION OF THE HEATHEN–VV.1-3

            A) This psalm opens with a rhetorical question in verse 1.  There are those, kings and rulers, who are in an uproar and are taking a stand against the Lord–the Ruler of all, and against His Anointed One–the Messiah (v.2).  This was true in the day that King David wrote this psalm, it has been true throughout history, even into our days.  But why?  Kings, rulers, as do individuals want to be autonomous (v.3).  We want to make our own destiny.  We want God to do our bidding, and we usually call upon Him for our own purposes, as is the President of Iran.  Yet, it is he, or any of us who may be the objects of destruction because we stand against God and His Anointed.  Where do you stand today?

II) THE RESOLUTION OF THE LORD–VV.4-6

            A) First, we find Him laughing at them from His heavenly vantage point, and then He scoffs at them (v.4).  It is as if God is sporting with them to show the stupidity of their attempts to rebel against Him.  It then says that He will speak in anger and fury to terrify the rebels (v.5).  To what end, we may ask?  Some when experiencing such things turn to the Lord in repentance, while others seem to become more hardened in their rebellion.  How are you responding to God’s work in your lives, and in the world in which we live?  Come to repentance, and their find hope in the face of any challenge–personal, national, or global.    God’s second response is to install/place His King upon the throne (v.6).  This is a future event that has a present hope attached to it.  This One that God installed on Zion brings to fulfillment God’s promise to King David c. 1000 BC in 2 Samuel 7:16.  This is none other than Jesus, born to be King, and that eternally.  This is the reality of Christmas: a baby born as the Son of God through miraculous means, who lives and dies, is buried, and is raised again to be the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords.

III ) THE RESOLUTION OF THE ANOINTED–VV.7-9

            A) The Lord’s Anointed is given the task of making the decrees/will of God known.  This rules out the President of Iran’s pontifications, or any other self-proclaimed spokesperson for God cf. Hebrews 1:1-4.  Jesus is given the role of speaking for God because of His relationship with Him–a Father-Son relationship (v.7).  So, we must listen if we do not want to be found rebellious, and be destroyed (v.9) cf. Matthew 17:5. To whom are you listening?  Those in a right relationship with God listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd, because they know His voice (John 10:27 -30). Verse 8 highlights that Jesus, the Son of God, will have all that He desires as an inheritance.  He will take possession of the whole world, and He will have as His own people, people from every nation.  The final point of this psalm is ...

IV) THE EXHORTATION TO ALL –VV.10-12

            A) This is a call to respond appropriately to the Lord’s Anointed One.  Christmas calls for a response from each one of us.  This psalm calls for the kings, rulers, and all peoples of the world to be discerning, and to take warning about this matter (v.10), as it relates to the Lord’s Anointed One–Jesus.  Next, we must respond by serving the Lord with fear/reverence, and rejoicing (v.11).  These highlight a willingness to do so, a willingness that comes from a changed heart and relationship with the Lord.  How willing are you to serve the Lord, the King?  Call out to Him to change your heart, and to make it a willing subject of the King for all He has done for you.  Then the psalm closes with the admonition to “Kiss the Son” (v.12).  This is about having a personal relationship with Jesus, all the while knowing who He is as Lord, King, and Messiah.  Without such a relationship by personal faith in Him, one will find himself the object of His anger and wrath that will bring eternal punishment.  So, if this is you, then what should you do?  Take refuge in Him.  Come to Him by faith, embrace Christ as Lord and Savior.  And, may we who have done so continue in finding our refuge in Him in the midst of saber rattling, global unrest, and possible nuclear annihilation.