Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Matthew 1:18a This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: . . .
FROM HEAVEN ABOVE TO EARTH I COME (9-10)
9. Now cast your eyes about at the place where Jesus was born. All of it speaks to the way this Child has “made Himself nothing.” He who created the heavens and the earth is like any other human child. He sleeps. He eats. He feels the chill of the night, of a cattle stall without electric heat. He tosses and turns. He is in every way just like we are—only without sin. That the Son of God should take up a life like this for us is beyond imagination. None of us would ever choose to live such a life if we could help it. Such majesty and power is there in the manger, but you wouldn’t know it. Jesus is not taking it up and using it just now.
Ah, Lord, who hast created all, How weak art Thou, how poor and small,
That Thou dost choose Thine infant bed Where humble cattle lately fed!
10. Don’t you think He deserves so much more than this? Can’t we get Him into one of the upper rooms at least? There must be something better in town, something a little more fitting. Really this Child is worthy of a palace in Jerusalem, of purple blankets, of silver and gemstones. The best that money can buy—that’s what He ought to have! The best clothes, the best food, the best care, the best of everything! … And then we bow our heads, realizing that even the world’s best could never be a match for His glory. He didn’t come for what the earth had to give Him, did He?
Were earth a thousand times as fair, Beset with gold and jewels rare,
It yet were far too poor to be A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.
