Here are some things to think about these next couple days. More than anything else, thinking about Jesus, who He is, what He is like, His character, His personality, the events of His life here on earth, what was in His mind every moment we have recorded in Scripture, and even the times we have no record of what He was doing, it changes things.
This season, more than others, people think about Jesus. Here are some things I am thinking about particularly about how He entered this world.
For the longest time I did not realize the drama of how our God entered this world. Most of us know He was born in a stable, in a feeding trough. There are a few things I had not picked up on. One is the announcement in Jerusalem by the 3 Magi. This was a big ordeal, perhaps even a political move that would have headlined CNN for weeks. These Magi purposely made their way through Jerusalem to let Herod know. And what they told King Herod shook things up.
In Scripture it says this, “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” Not only did it trouble the king, but the whole city of Jerusalem (total population of around 700,000). Herod was a mad man. In His life time He killed most of His family and anyone who coughed wrong if He felt His throne was the least bit threatened. Spend 10 minutes on Google reading up on Herod the Great and you will know what I mean by a mad man.
What this little parade through Jerusalem was, was probably a political move by the Magi, telling Herod they came to visit “the King of the Jews.”
So not only did it add to the drama of the manger, but it sent Jesus’ family on the run for two years. They moved from Nazareth, to Bethlehem, to Jerusalem, to Egypt, probably back to Bethlehem only to be warned by an angel to move back to Nazareth, all in the matter of about 2 years.
And once they settled, they settled in the town where “the scandal” started. Nazareth was a small town, and people knew them. By now they had developed a reputation that would follow them for quite some time.
The religious leaders of the day once said to Jesus, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” (John 8)
What were they implying about Jesus? What did they mean when they said they have one father? Were they perhaps implying something about Jesus’ father here? Think about it.
What was it like for Jesus to grow up with his brothers? Envy often happens among brothers. I would be surprised if there was not family drama growing up. In fact we see an instance where Jesus brothers discreetly nudge Jesus towards His public death.
John in chapter 7 writes,
“After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” For not even his brothers believed in him.”
The crowds knew the Jews were seeking to kill Jesus. I am sure His brothers were well aware of the wanted posters. Even His brothers wanted Him dead!
Continue what the Mother of our Lord started when she, “treasured up these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2) Our God is amazing. Jesus, there is none like Him. Think about Him. Treasure Him in your heart, His mistreatment, the pressures of His life, the intentionality of the Father to choose this life for His Son, the meekness of Christ, His powerful life that is like no other. Jesus is like no other. He loves you. He came into this world for you.
Treasure Him today.
