Samford University President Beck Taylor said the Christmas season is “Super Bowl” for church leaders since more visitors and family guests attend.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to share the gospel, and I want to encourage you today in your task,” he said.
Taylor, who came to Samford as president in July 2021, was guest speaker at Shelby Baptist Association’s Pastor/Spouse Christmas Luncheon on Dec. 7 at The Church at Chelsea Westover. Pastor Rick Wright served as host.
Taylor said he found Christmas hope not only in Bethlehem, but also in Emmaus.
“Luke 24 tells the story of two men, only one whose name we know, who may have been the first men to see the risen Christ rather than to hear the word from others, ‘He is risen,’” he said. “I think it’s significant that they were living the routine of their lives when Jesus found them and spent time to encourage them.”
Taylor said the original language explains the two were “bewildered” after the death of Jesus. He quoted Jim Edwards, professor emeritus of theology at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, where Taylor served previously who said, “Here were living disciples talking about a dead Jesus.”
“I think we learn that Jesus pursues us in our brokenness, and there’s no bounds and no limit to his compassion,” Taylor said. “Jesus captures us with his love and grace.”
Faith
Taylor said the Emmaus story also demonstrates that the proclamation of the gospel brings us to faith.
“We don’t know how much time Jesus spent with them, and it may have been hours,” he said. “He explained how the entire Old Testament narrative pointed to him. This was rich Bible study, indeed! We must speak the same truth in our pulpits and never hesitate to point others to Jesus since faith in him changes lives.”
Taylor said Emmaus also underscores the work of the Holy Spirit in the process of life change.
“These men felt a ‘burning’ in their hearts, and we know the Holy Spirit worked to make the Word of God real to them,” he said.
“The theme of a recent emphasis at Samford was ‘Walk the Walk,’ and we tried to help 18–22-year-olds move what they learned from their heads to their hearts. Many of them learned the truth in your churches when the Holy Spirit first touched their hearts. Our task is to help them be sensitive to the same Holy Spirit and to continue living in obedience to God and to seek His plan for their lives.”
‘More than a prophet’
Finally, the Emmaus story demonstrates that Jesus is much more than a prophet or a teacher.
“These men believed that He was only a failed leader, and their hope was dead,” Taylor said. “But they learned that the risen Jesus is now the Lord Jesus. This is the belief and commitment we have that leads to obedience to Him in every respect. His lordship in our lives brings radical commitment.”
“Please pray for us at Samford,” he said. “We want to provide clarity for our students that they, unfortunately, may not find in other places.”
Ric Camp is the lead mission strategist for the Shelby Baptist Association.
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