In Due Time

Posted on Mon, Dec 15, 2008

The birth of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, was disappointingly, not crafted after the will of man. God personally designed it within His purpose to model to humanity a practical message of humility and to condemn ostentation in all its appearances so the “haves” and the “have-nots” could relate with Him. Thus, all unbridled spray of wealth to celebrate His birth is a disfavor to Him.

Days before the birth of Jesus Christ, king Caesar Augustus had decreed “that all the world should be taxed” Luke 2:1. Thus, it was mandatory for Joseph to leave the city of Nazareth to Bethlehem to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife. Mary was heavy with a child and knew that the child in her womb was special. Based on what the angel had revealed to them about him, Joseph as well, was aware that the child was an unusual baby. But none of them had imagined that he would be born in their trip to Bethlehem, else they might have made plans to handle what appeared to be a disgraceful birth of such an exceptional child.

“While they were there (Bethlehem), the days were accomplished that she should be delivered, and she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn”. Luke 2:7

That was the beginning of the many divinely orchestrated acts to follow this child. Certainly, it was inconceivable for Joseph and Mary that the promised Savior was born in a manger. His manner and place of birth are significant because God, who has timing for all events, had woven them within His control and purpose. Stop and think of the flowchart of events in Joseph family - the espousal of Mary to Joseph, the tax decree, the lack of room in the “inn” and the eventual birth of Jesus in a manger at Bethlehem. These were all divinely arranged circumstances within the plan of God, not only for Joseph and Mary, but for entire humanity. The underlying lesson in the humility of His birth is mind-splitting.

The birth of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, was disappointingly, not crafted after the will of man. God personally designed it within His purpose to model to humanity a practical message of humility and to condemn ostentation in all its appearances so the “haves” and the “have-nots” could relate with Him. Thus, all unbridled spray of wealth to celebrate His birth is a disfavor to Him.

Are you, currently, doing God’s will? Then stay focused on it. He will work out His plans for our lives at His time. He loves us and knows our struggles and what is best for us. We need not be impatient like Mary who later in Cana in Galilee, at the marriage feast, supposed that she could push Jesus to go ahead and please the world at her biding. “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come” John 2:4

Needless to be influenced by the trend of this sin-sick world, we should allow Jesus Christ a room in our hearts to dwell as there is no complicated situation that He cannot unshackle for us. Simply, we must say to Him: “Thy will be done,” and He will make “every thing beautiful for (us) you in his time”: Ecclesiastes 3:11

 If we allow Jesus Christ to have “His hour” with us, He will surprise us with the sweet wine of His blessing. Thereafter, like the governor and others at the Galilean feast, we will be able to contentedly confess, like they did, that He has “kept the good wine until now” John 2:10 for us. With Jesus Christ, our best is yet to come. 

 The following song by Cy­rus S. Nus­baum, so vividly expresses the theme of providential test.

Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good?
Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?
Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?
Let Him have His way with thee.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/i/hiswaywt.htm

 

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