A lesson on life expectations from the Christmas Story. Luke 2:1-20
In Jesus Christ, God humbled Himself, became human flesh, lived among us, paid the penalty for our sin, was raised from the dead, and became the way to a now and forever relationship with God the Father. Heaven bore witness to Jesus being the Christ and Savior of all who will trust Him by sending angels to declare God’s Christ to Joseph, Mary, and shepherds. Approximately thirty-three years later His crucifixion and resurrection from the dead would bear witness to His disciples and the world, that what the angels had said, and what Jesus declared through His ministry was all true. It turns out it isn’t all that difficult to get a life transforming promise from God. He loves you! Jesus was the fulfillment of many prophecies or promises from God. His promised help and presence for people like all of us is declared throughout the Bible. My heart bears witness, and I hope yours does as well.
Was God in control of the unfolding of Jesus coming, birth, and life? I believe so. How much control did any of the other people involved have over His coming? I think NONE! The prophets gave their prophetic words but likely didn’t understand the timing or ramifications of their message. For example, Isa 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah didn’t know who, when, or how it would happen. Mary is visited by an angel, that declares God’s favor in calling her to be the mother of His Christ. She becomes pregnant by the Holy Spirit, and Joseph struggles to sort it all out. In a dream the same angel tells Joseph it is all from God. Later, shepherds in Bethlehem’s fields meet angels that declare the Christ is born that day in their little city. They can join God and work with Him, or not.
That’s it! That choice is as much ours today as it was for them then. They were incredibly enriched with cooperation in God’s plan, and would have grossly missed out if they hadn’t joined with Him in the thing He was doing. We are reminded in the Bible that God does not change, and He sincerely desires you and I to join Him in His plan for our lives. Don’t miss your opportunity! He gives us control over very little, our own lives, yet the choice to join Him in life is the most important one you will ever make. We don’t have control over spouses, classmates, friends, or family, although we likely have some real influence there. For example, students in any of our local schools, will have some real influence there, but little or no control. For teachers it is more similar than you may think. They may have a class to run or a job to do, but still have very little control over the outcome of their efforts. This isn’t something to be despised or resented but rather it should be embraced. The clearer any of us are about who we are, where we are, and what our true responsibilities are, the greater our peace in life will be, and the greater our capacity will be to be an influence for God and good. Throughout the Bible’s pages we find followers of God that struggled with God’s timing and plan. They could not get control of God and neither can we. If you are still trying to control God, stop! His great promises to us are His unfailing love, and eternal salvation.
Jesus is God’s Emmanuel, “God with us”. That applies to everyone from every race, at any age, from all social and economic backgrounds, and all over the world. Invite Jesus to be Lord in every area of your life. Most likely that won’t make you rich or famous. It will bring you contentment and joy as you meet Him in everything, and that will create in you the kind of influence that advances God’s Kingdom, and lasts forever. Genuinely submitting your life to Jesus, (your choice), is in your control, will yield a greater capacity for you to be a blessing (good influence), and will yield the wisdom you need to invest your life well. Have a Merry Christmas and blessed new year, as you draw near to Jesus in 2019.