Saturday, December 8, 2007
Luke 2:1-7 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
PREPARING FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST WITH HUMBLE SUBMISSION:
THE SON OF GOD HIMSELF
This week we have looked at Zacharias, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Mary. We have seen them prepare for the coming Christ through humble submission to God and His Word. However, as they did this they were not accomplishing righteousness for themselves or anyone else. In fact, they were all sinners who prepared themselves for the coming of the Christ because of their great need for Him, their Savior from sin.
Yes, it is the humble submission of Jesus Himself that brings blessings to mankind. He humbled Himself by laying aside the full use of His divine glory.
He did this by God's design. He did this because this was the way that we sinners could be helped. He humbled Himself and the Son of God willingly submitted to His Father's will so that we would not be eternally lost. He lived a perfect human life in place of all people, and eventually He died the death and suffered the punishment of hell that every one of us deserves. This was not a fun or easy task. The work of our salvation was the hardest work of all, and yet the Son of God descended from on high and humbled Himself so that we might be saved.
