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Advent
Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the
Lord " (Luke 2:11)
Lou Meier asked about the Advent season, in relation to a talk he would be
giving. I told him what I knew, and this kindly man seemed pleased, as he often
is. He continued by discussing his thought that the center of an Advent service
could be a baby, and we talked about the vulnerability of a human child.
"Advent" is from a Latin word which means "the coming"
and it of course relates to the coming of our Lord Jesus, into this world of sin
and death. It is reasonable that God would visit His creation, and it was the
expectation of many that He would visit us in Judgment. Few ever thought He
would become a human child.
I responded to Lou that speaking of a baby at an Advent service is a fine idea and suggested that he hold in his arms an actual child during his talk. In
fact, it would be a great time for the parents to dedicate that baby to the
Lord, during the service.
Exploring the nature of a human child, it was mentioned how VULNERABLE they
are. A baby is more defenseless than just about any other creature on earth, and
that is what our Lord became for us. I've recognized the vulnerability of our
Lord in death, but I hadn’t considered that aspect of His birth. A baby can
control - nothing!
The little one can't walk, talk or do anything but receive from others. There
is no bowel or bladder control and no understanding of events that relate to
them. It is somewhat easy for us to accept the notion that if there is a God, at
some point the skies will split open and a booming voice will judge us for our
sins. Others might also "allow" Him to appear to us in a dream or in
some other manner - But a baby!
It was, however, entirely consistent with God's intent from the very
beginning - actually from before the onset of time as we know it. In Isaiah
7:14, written hundreds of years before the birth of our Lord in human form,
God's intention was shown about the Messiah that was to come: "Behold,
the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel (God
with us)".
Christ became a vulnerable, human child for you and for me. He who created all
things (John 1:3, 14) would become a part of His creation and show us the way to
find God.
Have you ever wanted to go HOME? Have you ever wanted to go someplace SPECIAL
and BE someone who is accepted by those around you? To find Jesus is just that
special and to receive Him is to find your true home. He came to show us the way
(He is "the way"
- John 14:6) and to trust in Him is to discover the One we have needed all this
time.
Jesus Christ is my Hero (and Lou's, too), but usually we think of a
"hero" as a grown up guy who will deliver us from some kind of
trouble. "Hero" in the last generation brought to mind John Wayne, and
in this, probably Arnold Schwarzenegger - pretend guys; movie actors who seem to
save the girl (or the world) from something or other.
But with Jesus, it’s just as He said: He died on the cross that we might
live. He gave His life in death, and He also gave up everything by becoming a
part of who and what we are. He became vulnerable for all of us,
"good" and "bad" alike.
He lived in eternity as the King of Glory. But as an infant, He was reduced
to not being able to put on His sandals without assistance. He needed help with
His clothing and initially could not speak the language of the people He had
become a part of. His step-father Joseph (Jesus actually was and is the Son of
God), was a carpenter, and since it was traditional for the son to emulate the
father, it is thought He spent years as a carpenter. He who created the world
and all that is in it, had to learn His trade a little at a time from His
earthly step-father.
And He expects we will join Him in God’s amazing vulnerability. He said,
"If anyone desires to come after
Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever
desires to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake
will save it" (Luke 9:23-24). We become His child
when we no longer trust in ourselves, but in Him who raises the dead.
People wear masks to conceal how vulnerable we are, but we are all babies and
utterly helpless in the sight of God. Some accumulate much and others little,
but all clutch at what we have and are. But we need HIM, not our things.
What if Jesus asked you to occupy a wheelchair? What would you do? On the day
after Lou and I had that conversation, he lost his job through a lay-off. He is
handling the loss with grace and dignity, because he understands that our Lord
can bring us through. The "accident" is designed to 1) increase our
faith (2 Corinthians 1:9), and 2) enable us to better comfort others in similar
need (2 Corinthians 1:4).
Jesus is the reason for the season. Amos Wells said about Advent, "Tidings
of glory! All the sky aflame, all heaven humming one imperial Name! Radiant
glimpses of a Throne, a Crown, all splendor focused on one little town! Tidings
of joy, good tidings of great joy! The death of sorrow and the end of pain, the
bliss eternally to reign. News of Salvation! Jesus, Savior, Christ, bearer of
mercy ample…"
The season is celebrated but it isn’t truly about a season - it’s about a
Baby, a Man, the Man Christ Jesus, who became vulnerable and died for you and
me. And He invites us to join Him in His vulnerability, and also in His life. It’s
Advent, it’s our Lord, it’s our need of Him. Receive Him. Trust in Him now
– and forever. Lord, we receive You and trust in You now. Forgive us, dear
God. Thank You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
ron@fridaystudy.org
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