Luke 2:6-7 MSG While they (Joseph and Mary) were there (in Bethlehem), the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
Observation
Simply, humbly, quietly, the Savior, Messiah, King of Kings becomes human as a helpless child. This is the fulfilled promise: “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.” (Isaiah 9:6b-7) Yet, the fanfare on His arrival was all for the lowly shepherds, those with the least influence and status. Even the kings (aka wise men) that eventually came to honor Him were Gentile, another group not highly regarded by the Jewish authorities.
Why come as a baby? Why didn’t the angels announce His coming to people of influence and power? Why be born into such humble circumstances, in a place redolent with the odor of animals? Why live so under the radar as He grew? Why wait so many years to make Himself known? Why be an itinerant preacher with no permanent home? Why suffer the ignominy of death on a Cross? These are all questions we can ask to try to make sense of why our God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – seems to wait so long while He allows evil to continue to appear to triumph through inflicting disaster, pain and suffering. I don’t believe He will answer these questions with anything but “trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” He has a plan that will not be changed or rushed.
Impact on Me
I have found that Jesus will come to the humblest and most distressed places. I received Jesus as Lord alone in my home. I was listening to a television evangelist who invited me to put my hand on the screen and pray with him. I was a church goer all of my life, but I was never aware of a personal relationship with Christ available to me. I got saved on that day, in front of that television, and my life was changed. My life was not made perfect in that moment, but I did step into God’s plan to work His will and purpose in my life. This is a lifetime pursuit, a journey, one in which I must trust Him enough to surrender and release my rights, my dreams, my control. I am responsible to learn how to respond according to His Word rather than react according to my flesh.
Perhaps this is why Jesus arrived as a baby. He needed 30 years to fully understand our human struggle by living it. He was a child dependent upon and submitted to His parents. He learned to work with His hands. He had friends and relatives. As a human, He learned how to stay out of the way of the full and powerful flow of the Holy Spirit. He showed us what is possible when we do the same. It makes me more aware of how intense and agonizing facing the Cross must have been. I am forever grateful for His sacrifice which began in a trough and ended on the Cross.
Devotion
Lord, You are Savior, Redeemer, King of Kings, Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Because You lived as we do, You understand our tendency to ask questions, to want to know and understand. However, I recognize that I am asked to listen for Your instruction and obey because I trust You. Mary did this at great risk to her reputation and future. I doubt she really understood her part in my road to salvation, restoration and maturity in Christ. I am grateful for her and ask that You would help me to have the same absolute trust regardless of the cost. Make it so, in Jesus’ name.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 