The Humility of God

We just watched the birth of Jesus from The Chosen series a couple of nights ago. If you have not seen any of The Chosen series,

you are missing out on some great artistic work of the life of Jesus and the disciples. I normally am very critical of “Jesus flicks”, but this series is done, in my opinion, in a very real and provocative way.

Back to the birth of Jesus. I was deeply moved in the way they created the scene of Joseph and Mary as they found a place for her to give birth.

First, it was dirty! Second, they were dirty! After traveling and Mary in labor, it was not a pretty scene. No Hollywood make-up or re-creating a scene that was pleasant.

The scene with the shepherds was very interesting and their encounter with heaven was awe inspiring. The joy that they had in finding Jesus in the manger was great.

Overall, the reflection on this birth scene made me sit in awe of the humility of God in coming into the world through His Son.

No palace! No fanfare! Just a humble beginning that would be the seed for the salvation of many. God’s ways are definitely not the way of this world.

It reminds me of the fact that the Kingdom of God is “upside down” from our world. As Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

(Mark 10:45). Many watched the re-opening of the cathedral of Notre Dame in France. It is an amazing structure. Many of the world’s dignitaries were there for the re-opening.

Unfortunately it is more a tourist site now than a place of worship. Welcome to post-Christian Europe. I am more impressed with the manger and that God comes to lift up the poor of this world.

As New Testament believers, we come to the heavenly Jerusalem and as the body of Christ, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. As the world today gazes at the grand cathedral of Notre Dame,

Jesus is gazing at his followers, many who worship underground, and it is this human body that in whom he inhabits.  

Pastor Fred