John 15:22 begins with these words by Jesus, “If I had not come…” Have you ever thought about that? Christmas is just around the corner. The “season” has been in the air since Halloween was over. Every year, we celebrate a holiday centered on the coming of the Christ child. But, what if He had not come? What would be different if there was, in fact, no Christmas? Let me start a list…maybe you can complete it – this certainly can’t be exhaustive:
- There would be no New Testament, the Bible would end with Malachi. Listen to how that book closes…”I will come and strike the land with a curse.” Everything would end with a curse!
- As a result of #1 on the list, there would be no hope. In fact, where Malachi ends, God’s voice quits. Between that verse and the first verse of Matthew, God went silent.
- So…God would be totally and completely through speaking to us…we would never have the opportunity to hear His voice.
- There would be no hope of a glorious resurrection.
- No victory over death and the grave.
- No victory over sin…
- We’d still be butchering animals on an altar of sacrifice. Think how many animals would have to die…we certainly are a sinful lot!
- But then, it wouldn’t matter for us, because there would be no inclusion of Gentiles, so we would remain alienated, doomed to living in darkness.
- We would have no opportunity for a new identity.
- No deliverance.
- No heavenly home.
- There would be no “Joy to the World.”
- No Christmas lights…
- No Christmas music.
- No gifts.
- Oh…and, no churches. We wouldn’t need places of worship, for there would be no one for us to worship.
- So, there would be no need for worship music.
- No need for pastors and youth pastors.
- No need for Bible teachers.
- No need for going on with life…because “I couldn’t” keep going on without “Christ in me the hope of glory” who helps me do “all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
- No need for ___________________________________?
What if Jesus had not come? What then?