Advent: December 11th
Yesterday we ended with this question, “What does it mean that God is WITH us?”
God is eternal, that is to say, He has no beginning or end, has existed for eternity past and will exist for eternity future. Jesus is God’s son. He is one of the GodHead; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This means that Jesus also is eternal, and has always existed.
In fact Colossians 1:15-17 says, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Jesus went through nine months of putting on his fleshly robes but not just for a season. He came and lived a perfect life so that he might drink God’s wrath for our sins and die on the cross. This was not some quick and terminating stop in the plan of salvation, it was woven in. How do we know Jesus’ sacrifice was accepted and complete? On the third day, Jesus was raised from the dead(Easter), and he will live in that resurrected body for eternity future. God made an eternal choice to be ever present with us.
“And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” Colossians 1:18-22
What does it mean for someone so infinite to do something seemingly so finite? To take on such limitations? How has the reality that Jesus is in a physical body changed our relationship to him? Maybe you have never thought about it before.
We serve a God who loves us so much he would become flesh and blood like us so that he could save us. How is it comforting to have a Savior we can physically see and touch, walk with, and relate to? How is it sobering that he is also God?
Jesus taking on human form does not make him less powerful but it does show him to be intimate. God did not wind up the clock of time and let man’s days play out before him- uninvested. He took an active part in sending His son to bring men and women to himself.
God is with us in the Christmas story as Jesus, but the world did not recognize him.
I think it is to Joseph’s credit that when he wakes, he immediately does as was commanded of him by the angel and takes Mary as his wife. He had to have known that others would not believe their story. It’s too spectacular! He has to know that in taking Mary as his wife, there might be a measure of public shame or disgrace they will both bear. For as we know how some count back the months from the time of a baby’s birth to the time of their parents wedding, so I’m sure this holy couple had contemporaries who would do the same. In part, time was of the essence. Not only would it bring more respectability to the quick birth of their first baby but it would also help Joseph to begin to more fully provide for Mary’s needs.
Something scripture is clear about, however, is that while Joseph was obedient in taking Mary as his wife the couple did not consummate the marriage until after the birth of Jesus.
