The Story that Never Grows Old
“‘Behold, the days come,’ saith the Lord, ‘that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah; not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them forth out of the land of Egypt. . . . For this is the new covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,’ saith the Lord; ‘I will put my laws into their mind, and on their heart also will I write them; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. . . . For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and their sins will I remember no more’” (Hebrews 8:8-9, 10, 12).
The Old Testament Prophets
“And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow into it. And many peoples shall go and say, ‘Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jackob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more’” (Isaiah 2:2-4).
“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart and the tongue of the dumb shall sin; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. . . . And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for the redeemed; the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err therein” (Isaiah 35:5-6, 8).
“And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah . . . with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; . . . and a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:1-2, 4, 6).
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us” (Matthew 1:23).
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end . . .” (Isaiah 9:6-7).
Jesus is Born
The birth of Jesus Christ happened like this. When Mary was engaged to Joseph, just before their marriage, she was discovered to be pregnant—by the Holy Spirit. Whereupon Joseph, her future husband, who was a good man and did not want to see her disgraced, planned to break off the engagement quietly. But while he was turning the matter over in his mind an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife! What she has conceived is conceived through the Holy Spirit, and she will give birth to a son, whom you will call Jesus (“the Savior”) for it is he who will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:18-21).
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enroll himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people; for there is born to you this day in the City of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord; And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.’ And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heave, the shepherds said one to another, ‘Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.’ And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger” (Luke 2:4-20).
“Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him.’ And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Child should be born. And they said unto him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judaea; for thus it is written through the prophet. . . .’ Then Herod privily called the wise men, and learned f them exactly what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, ‘Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him.’ And they, having heard the king, went their way; and Lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. And when they saw the start, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh” (Matthew 2:1-3, 7-12).
“And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52).
Jesus’ Life and Teachings
“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John would have hindered him, saying, ‘I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?’ But Jesus answering said unto him, ‘Suffer it now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he suffereth him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water; and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and coming upon him; and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:13-17).
“His disciples came unto him; and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. . . . Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth. . . . Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. . . . Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you. . . . Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. . . . Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; for where they treasure is, there will thy heart be also. . . . Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. . . . Seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. . . . Ask, and it shall be given you; see, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; . . . All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them. . . . Enter ye in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straightened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it. . . . Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. . . .’” (Selected from Matthew 5, 6, 7).
“Jesus said unto them, ‘I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst’” (John 6:35).
“I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture. . . . I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep” (John 10:9, 11).
“Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. . . .” (Selected from Jon 14).
“And . . . Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: and he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light. And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him. And Peter answered, and said unto Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if thou wilt, I will make here three tabernacles; one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him’” (Matthew 17:1-5).
“He asked his disciples, saying, ‘Who do men say that the Son of man is? . . .‘ And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘Thou are the Christ, the son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered . . . ‘upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. . . .’ From that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem; and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up” (Matthew 16:13, 16, 17, 18, 21).
The Death and Resurrection of Jesus
“All the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death; and they bound him, and let him away, and delivered him up to Pilate the governor. . . . Pilate saith unto them, ‘What then shall I do unto Jesus who is called Christ?’ They all say, ‘Let him be crucified. . . .’ And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, the place of a skull . . . they crucified him. . . .” (Matthew 27:1, 2, 22, 33, 35).
“And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’” (Luke 23:34).
“He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath bore our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, as he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:2-9).
“And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun was risen. And they were saying among themselves, ‘Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb?’ and looking up, they see that the stone is rolled back. . . . And entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side. . . . And he saith unto them, ‘Be not amazed; ye seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who hath been crucified; he is risen; he is not here; behold, the place where they laid him!’” (Mark 16:2-7).
“Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest, not to all the people, but unto witnesses . . . even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead” (Acts 10:40-41),
"The eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. . . . And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, ’'All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world’” (Matthew 28, 16, 18-20).
“So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them . . .” (Mark 16:19-20).
What This Means to Us
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received; that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth . . .” (Romans 1:16).
Without faith it is impossible to please him. The man who approaches God must have faith in two things, first that God exists and secondly that it is worth a man’s while to try to find God (Hebrews 11:6).
“Believe on the Lord Jesus, and though shalt be saved . . .” (Acts 16:31).
“Except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish” (Luke 13:3).
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).
“Be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins . . .” (Acts 2:38).
“We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death; that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
“And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved. . . . And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:47, 42).
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. . . . Ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
“With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good . . .” (Romans 12:1-2).
“this is the end of the matter; all hath been heart; Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
“We must throw off every encumbrance, every sin to which we cling, and run with resolution, the race for which we are entered, our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom faith depends from start to finish . . .” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
“And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek, and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
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[Special acknowledgment to Abilene Christian University Library for graciously providing the above content from ACU Archives. A religious tract published by the late Batsell Barrett Baxter (1916-1982) under the same title, “The Story that Never Grows Old,” is recalled by some as preceding the Upreach magazine article. As often was the case with Baxter’s tracts, it is remembered as a sermon he delivered at Hillsboro Church of Christ, Nashville, TN, perhaps in the 1960s or early 70s, and also broadcast at that time on WLAC radio station, Nashville. Efforts to locate a copy of the Baxter tract have been unsuccessful. It is believed that the formatting of the Scriptures set forth in this unique piece was done by Baxter who was closely associated with Upreach magazine, a print publication of Herald of Truth. Batsell Barrett Baxter served with distinction as Herald of Truth radio and television speaker.]
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