As I think about the birth of Jesus Christ (The Incarnation), I begin to ask some questions. I would love to sit down and converse with Mary and Joseph. I have hundreds of questions that I would ask. I just want to spend some time asking these questions—ones that I cannot ever know the answer to, but still questions that bounce around in my head. Somebody already beat me to the punch in writing these down so I will just repost what has already been asked to Mary about Jesus.
“What was it like watching him pray? How did he respond when he saw other kids giggling during the service at the synagogue? When he saw a rainbow, did he ever mention a flood? Did you ever feel awkward teaching him how he created the world? When he saw a lamb being led to the slaughter, did he act differently? Did you ever see him with a distant look on his face as if he were listening to someone you could hear? How did he act at funerals? Did the thought ever occur to you that God to whom you were praying was asleep under your own roof? Did you ever try to count the stars with him…and succeed? How did he act when he got his first haircut? Did he ever come home with a black eye? Did he have any friends by the name of Judas? Did he do well in school? Did you ever scold him? Did he ever have to ask a question about Scripture? What do you think he thought when he saw a prostitute offering to the highest bidder the body that he made? Did he ever get angry when someone was dishonest with him? Did you ever catch him pensively looking at the flesh on his own are while holding a clod of dirt? Did he ever wake up afraid? Who was his best friend? When someone referred to Satan, how did he act? Did you ever accidentally call him Father? What did he and his cousin John talk about when they were kids? Did his other brothers and sisters understand what was happening? Did you ever think, That’s God eating my soup?” (God Came Near, Max Lucado).
These may sound strange, yet how profound! God became a baby! He grew up as a toddler, then a child. He had two parents—one that died when He was younger. He went to school, He got tired, He caught colds and the flu, He probably had a bad dream or two. He was 100% human, yet 100% God. Wrap your head around that one, church! How amazing! How incredible! How fantastic this is! Our God loves us—not just in a lame sense of the word—loves you and me so much that He left His glory on the throne of Heaven to come to find out just what you go through on a day-to-day basis.
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:14-16, NIV).
Remember the promise of God to His people through the prophet Isaiah? That a day was coming when God would “be with us?” (Is 7:14), or that
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this” (Is. 9:6-7).
My challenge to you this week is this: Nothing you are going through is too small, too trivial for our Great God! He has come down and lived life as it really is. He is completely able to sympathize and empathize with you. He’s been there! This week, ponder the greatness of the birth of Jesus Christ and just how powerful that truly is! Let your mind wander and your heart leap for joy because God is among us. Immanuel has come! Praise the Lord! Just something to think about. – Scott
Scott C Johnson 