Of Low Estate

Are you on a journey today my friend? Well, once a long, long time ago, a lot of folks were on a journey as well. Many were coming from throughout Israel to come to Bethlehem to pay their taxes (Lk. 2:1-5). It so happens that Joseph and Mary were coming from Nazareth to Bethlehem to pay their taxes as well. But they were also coming to Bethlehem for another reason appointed by God, and seeing that Mary was at the point of giving birth, their journey had to be slow (Lk. 2:6). So when they arrived in Bethlehem, all of the inns were already occupied by many who were able to make the journey faster than them (Lk. 2:7). No place was left for them to stay other than in a stable where animals were abiding, and I can tell you that it was no coincidence for it to be so. And so Mary gave birth to the Son of God that night in Bethlehem, there in the stable, fulfilling many prophecies of his coming (Isa. 9:6; Mic. 5:2; etc.). And who knew about such a great and glorious event that had been foretold of such a long time? Just a few common shepherds whom God chose to make these glad tidings known to, that’s who (Lk. 2:8-14). And these few common men, upon hearing these glorious tidings from the angel of the Lord, rushed to where the child was, to worship him and to glorify God (Lk. 2:15-18). They were thrilled to have this blessed privilege, never giving a thought to the lowly estate that he was born into. Not to mention that Joseph and Mary were basically poor, insignificant people themselves as well (Lk. 1:48; Lk. 2:24; Lev. 14:21,22). But how many others in Bethlehem that night, let alone all of Israel, glorified God for this greatest and most wonderful of all gifts to mankind? And how many would have been too religiously minded to have even BELIEVED that God would send the promised Messiah to be born in such state, to such people as these; making it known to only a few common shepherds? Most would have believed that God would have sent him by means of THEIR SECT AND ORDER.

Do you really believe that anything has changed, my friend? I can tell you that it certainly has not, even as the wisdom of God declared through Solomon: “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us” (Eccl. 1:9,10). Many are on a journey today, maybe preparing for paying taxes, maybe buying goods, maybe marrying a wife, maybe finding a husband or wife, maybe having children, maybe finding a job, maybe trying to improve their lot in this life. And nothing need necessarily be wrong with any of the above unless those are our priorities (Lk. 14:16-27; Mat. 6:24-34). Just remember that there is a journey to find the child that was born in the stable that night, and a journey to follow him faithfully in holiness till the end as well (Mat. 24:13; Heb. 12:14; Rev. 14:4). If we do not complete THAT journey, all other journeys will have been in vain (Mat. 16:26). I will tell you today friend, that if you truly find Jesus, it will still be in the stable; and if you truly manage to follow him faithfully till the end, that journey will CONTINUE in the stable: “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence” (I Cor. 1:25-29). And only those who would have it no other way will be accounted worthy to be led by the Son in that journey. May God bless your holiday season with and abundance of grace, and may you allow him to do so. Amen.