Christ's World of Nature
Jesus' reception in nature reflects His role as Creator and Lord, and deepening our Christian commitment can lead to harmony with the natural world.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that Jesus Christ entered our world at the perfect time, and while His own people rejected Him, nature welcomed Him. He illustrates how the star guided the wise men and how the animals in Bethlehem were unbothered by His presence, suggesting that all of creation recognized its Creator. Tozer references Dr. G. Campbell Morgan's belief that Jesus was safe among the wild beasts during His temptation, highlighting that Jesus was in complete harmony with nature. The sermon concludes with the idea that a deeper commitment to Christ leads to a greater connection with the natural world.
Text
Jesus Christ came into our world in the fullness of time, and His own world, the world of nature, received Him, even though His own people received Him not! It is my own feeling that when Jesus came, all of nature went out to greet Him. The star led the wise men from the East. The cattle in the stable stall in Bethlehem did not bother Him. His own things in created nature received Him. Dr. G. Campbell Morgan believed that when Jesus went into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, He was there with the wild beasts for 40 days and nights. Dr. Morgan held that there had been a wrong conception, as if Jesus needed angelic protection from the animals. Jesus was perfectly safe there.
He was nature's Creator and Lord.
Jesus was in total harmony with nature and I am of the opinion that the deeper our Christian commitment becomes, the more likely we will find ourselves in tune and in harmony with the natural world around us!
Sermon Outline
- Jesus' Reception in Nature
- Nature's Greeting
- The Star and the Wise Men
- The Cattle in the Stable
Key Quotes
“Jesus was perfectly safe there. He was nature's Creator and Lord.” — A.W. Tozer
“I am of the opinion that the deeper our Christian commitment becomes, the more likely we will find ourselves in tune and in harmony with the natural world around us!” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- As we deepen our Christian commitment, we can expect to find ourselves in greater harmony with the natural world around us.
- Jesus' relationship with nature demonstrates His role as Creator and Lord, and we can learn from this example.