When Jesus came into our world, he was not merely a baby that is sweet to the eyes, but he was hope that is sweet to the soul. He didn't just bring hope - like a bag of toys for good girls and boys. No, he was hope.
Hope for salvation - but not salvation from physical persecution. He brought hope for salvation from spiritual persecution. Yet so many, many people missed it. In Bethlehem, most people were busy. Legitimately busy. They had jobs and tasks on their to-do lists. They had school and apprenticeships. Their kids had activities, and didn't they deserve the opportunity to be involved in a variety of activities? They had family to take care of and a pie to bake for a friend. They had been required to travel to Bethlehem for the census, so why not turn it into a family trip and stop by all the local eateries? Everyone in Bethlehem was busy. Busy doing good things. But they missed Jesus. Not intentionally. They would have dropped off a gift if they had known . . . And seriously, why did they miss it? Isn't this what they wanted? They had been waiting so very long. Over 2,000 years. The prophets had predicted a messiah who would bring salvation. Who would bring hope. Hope for what? The Jews were hoping for political freedom. They had fought for hundreds of years against the oppression of other nations and the evil leaders of those nations. Surely this is what God wanted for them - to reduce their suffering and give them hope. What else would a Messiah be good for? We look back at the people in Bethlehem and throughout Israel and wonder . . . how could they miss that? How were they so busy that they didn't know Jesus, God's son, was born? And once they did eventually hear that Jesus was to be a Savior, how could they possibly have thought that he was on earth to give military leadership or political peace? Hindsight is 20/20, isn't it? I hate to break it to you, but we do the same thing. First, we miss him. We are just so busy - legitimately busy - that we miss him. We might catch a glimpse here or there - maybe even at church - but we lose out on the opportunity to really be with Jesus. Second, we expect him to resolve our struggles the way we see best. We want freedom from whatever we think is holding us down. We want relief for our suffering - whatever legitimate suffering - we are in the midst of. But Jesus wasn't born for that. Jesus didn't come to earth to make life here easier. He came to recover the brokenness of sin - not for a temporary time - but for all eternity. Jesus brought hope. Hope that does not disappoint. Hope that is bigger than my comfort or health or happiness. Hope that is forever. For that reason, I can still find joy in the midst of my suffering because I know that suffering produces perseverance and perseverance produces character and character produces hope. And that hope will not disappoint me. Therefore, as I arise early this Christmas morning, I rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2-4). Merry Christmas!
1 Comment
Joe and Jackie Sweeley
12/25/2018 08:06:42 am
Beautifully written. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas as we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas...our Savior and our Lord!
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