December 25, 2022 -- Proverbs 25:21-22 -- Journey to Christmas through Proverbs and Luke: The LORD's reward

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
    and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 for you will heap burning coals on his head,
    and the LORD will reward you.
Proverbs 25:21-22 ESV

Merry Christmas. What a strange quotation for Christmas morning.

First of all, while we were still enemies of God, sinners rebelling against Him, God sent His Son. Jesus fed the hunger of our souls that we didn’t even realize we had. He is living water to all who thirst. He is the burning coal of purification.

Second, the burning coals. When Isaiah the prophet had a vision of heaven, he saw the LORD on His throne. The sheer holiness of God made Isaiah realize his sinfulness—even a good and committed servant of the LORD like Isaiah realized how sinful he when he when is in the presence of Him Who is perfect and is “holy, holy, holy”!

When he confessed himself to be a man of unclean lips, the LORD commanded and an angel took a coal from the altar of the LORD and placed it on Isaiah’s tongue. The angel then declared Isaiah’s sin had been atoned for (Isaiah 6:1-6 ESV).

Third, whenever we preach the Good News of Jesus Christ, we heap burning coals on the heads of the hearers. This verse from Proverbs is picked up in Romans (12:20). The hearers either repent and turn to Jesus, or they will one day experience the condemnation of God against their sin. So, now is the day of salvation. Now is the day to cry out to Jesus!

With the praising multitudes of angels shout out:
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom He is well pleased.
(Luke 2:14)

The LORD will reward you. The reward of Joy. Knowing your sins are fully burned away because of the righteousness of Jesus.

The LORD will reward you. The reward of Peace. Knowing you have been made right with God through His Son and the Devil can not take that from you.

The LORD will reward you The reward of Hope. It is kept alive in you by the powerful presence of His Spirit.

The LORD will reward you. The reward of Love. Jesus is that Love come down from heaven. Jesus Christ is guarded in and sealed into your hearts by the Holy Spirit. He will continually apply the grace of Jesus Christ to you until the Father’s love has brought you to eternity in His presence.

Holy Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name! Thank You for the extravagant gift of Jesus Christ. Blessed Father in heaven, thank You for the gift of Your Spirit, by Whom the treasures of heaven are opened to us. Triune God, help us all to walk in the reward of knowing You. Glory to God in the highest! Amen.

https://youtu.be/yxDZjg_Igoc

Yo-Yo Ma and Alison Kraus “The Wexford Carol”

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