As we enjoy Christmas greetings, occasionally we’ll receive a piece of fine stationery with some type of faint image in the paper, known as a watermark. More recently, copyrighted web photos also have various watermarks that prevent them from being pirated without payment. As we celebrate Jesus’ birth, it’s imperative that we recognize that He is the watermark on every page of Scripture.
We see Jesus in the Genesis Creation for Colossians 1:16-17declares, “…by Jesus all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” John’s Gospel affirms this also and so on the very first page of the Holy Scripture, we find Jesus!
Two chapters later, God promised a Savior for Adam and Eve and all their offspring after they sinned in Eden. Later still, we see Jesus in Noah’s story as an ark that saves all willing to enter. We see Him in God’s promise to Abraham as the One through whom all nations would be blessed and in his son Isaac as he is laid on the altar of sacrifice.
We see Jesus in Joseph, rejected by his brothers, but chosen by God to deliver and save. Jesus is a type of Moses, a divine mediator who interceded and pled with God for the souls of his people. Jesus is the fulfillment and completion of Moses’ Law and the bronze serpent he lifted up to save all who looked upon it. He is the living Tabernacle and the Temple incarnate, only instead of us going into the Holy of Holies, Jesus came to us as Immanuel.
Jesus is the Lord’s Angel who led Joshua’s army boldly against Jericho and He even bears Joshua’s name, for the Hebrew Joshua is the Aramaic Yeshua, and the Greek Jesus. All of them mean “the Lord saves.”
Jesus is Boaz, the kinsman redeemer for Ruth, Naomi, and their land. We see Him in David saving his brothers from Goliath when they were unable to save themselves. We see Him in David’s Psalms as the Good Shepherd who guards and guides His people in paths of righteousness and we see Him in David’s expansion of the kingdom and establishment of Israel as a world power.
We see Jesus in Solomon’s wisdom for no problem is too complex for Him to solve, no test too hard for Him to pass. He is Elijah boldly triumphing over the false prophets of Baal and He is Elisha feeding a multitude, healing a leper and raising a dead child.
He is the rebuilder in Ezra and Nehemiah. He is Esther’s strength and Job’s Redeemer. He is Isaiah’s Suffering Servant and Jeremiah’s comforting hope. He is the Resurrection that gives life to Ezekiel’s dry bones and He is the rock not cut by human hands in the dream Daniel interpreted for Nebuchadnezzar. He is the Anointed One whose future coming Daniel foretold.
He is Hosea, the faithful husband, and Joel’s mighty harvester. He’s Amos’ repairman, Obadiah’s deliverer, and He spent three days and nights in Jonah’s whale.
He is Micah’s rising ruler from Bethlehem, Nahum’s refuge, Habakkuk’s hope, and Zephaniah’s rescuer. He is Haggai’s glory and Zechariah’s story as the king on a donkey who would be stared at as He was pierced. He is Malachi’s reformer who would set all wrongs right.
He is the Apostles’ inspiration and the One John’s Revelation reveals who will unseal the scroll, fulfill its demands, and redeem the universe. Jesus is the watermark on every page of the Bible. Even if He isn’t apparent at first, He is behind each story and each verse.
And Jesus is the One we celebrate at Christmas. He is what makes this day so special. This child is unique. He is holy. He is precious. He is human. He is divine. He is our Savior and we worship Him.
Merry Christmas, George