Yesterday was the second Sunday of Advent. During this time, we remember the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the second Sunday, we have a reading of the prophecy of Micah which foretold of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. The second reading is from Luke 2 which tells us that story. There are some interesting truths regarding Jesus’ entrance into our world that I believe help us appreciate this season of the year even more.
Jesus did not enter into a comfortable world or an easy situation. The time of His birth was during the rule of the Roman Empire in Palestine. He could have chosen to be born in freedom but instead chose occupation. Second, although He is a king and comes from a kingly lineage, a couple from Nazareth with no royal privilege would raise Him. There was no comfort of a palace, no servants to tend to His needs, and no wealth to speak of. He was the humble son of a carpenter family. Third, even at His birth, He is found in a stable sleeping in a feeding trough.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 3 that although Jesus existed in the form of God, He did not count equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, He emptied Himself taking the form of a servant submitting Himself to His Father even to the point of death on a cross. Here is the point. Jesus entered our suffering willingly to accomplish the will of the Father to secure redemption for His people for all time.
This should teach us a valuable lesson as believers especially this time of year. Many times our lives get messy. In a fallen world inhabited by sinful people, we do not live pristine lives. We fail, our health fails, marriages fail, businesses fail, churches fail, pastors fail, and the list goes on and on. And when we find ourselves in the midst of sin and failure, we might begin to believe that somehow Jesus wants no part of that or even anything to do with us. Maybe in your mind you might even begin to believe that Jesus will simply wait in the background while you straighten everything out, get your life together, and at least assume some semblance of order in your life. These are simply the thoughts of a fallen person. Deep down we are all legalists who believe we have to work our way to God.
What the Advent/Christmas season should teach us instead is that God has come to mankind in order to help us. But we believe deep down that we even have to help God help us. One of the great realizations that any person can have is to realize first that God needs nothing which would include our help. And second, that we have no power whatsoever to effect the needed transformation that salvation in Christ brings. In the Old Testament, the Lord told the people to give themselves a new heart. They could not do that and neither can you. The only one who can give someone a new heart is God who created us. The lesson the people of God needed was to recognize their spiritual helplessness. We need that same lesson today.
Yet it is in that spiritual helplessness that we find our Savior Jesus Christ. He is glorified to enter into our messiness, our difficulties, our suffering in order to save and help us. Sadly, I have talked to many people who believe that they cannot call out to Jesus until they get their lives together. Don’t wait. When you are faced with the sufferings of this life, run to Jesus. You will find rest for your souls. He is pleased to enter into your sufferings.
Joe Tolin
Kingman Presbyterian Church
