Out Of The Same Mouth
Tools are intended for specific uses. If we don’t use a tool as its designer intended, the results will probably not be entirely satisfactory. For example, if we use a wrench as a hammer we will probably mar the surface of the thing we are hitting and will likely damage the wrench. Similarly, if we use a hammer instead of a screwdriver to tighten a screw, the screw may not hold as it should and it may be impossible to remove the screw later.
Just as we have designed tools to accomplish specific jobs, God has designed us for a particular purpose. Have you ever thought about why God made us the way He did? Have you wondered about for what tasks God intended the various parts of our body?
For example, why did God give us a voice? For what task did he intend it? Obviously, He meant for us to communicate with our voices. But communicate what? In what ways does God want us to use our voice? The Bible tells us that God made us in His image. It follows that He intended us to use our voices in ways that demonstrate His character. James writes, “…Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” (James 5:13-14 NIV) In another place the Scriptures say, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name.” (Hebrews 13:15 NIV)
There are many other ways in which we can use our voices to display God’s character. We do so when we tell the truth. We do so when we console others and encourage them. We do so when we guide and instruct people in holy living.
Unfortunately, we we also use our voices in ways that God did not intend. Just as the results are not good when we use a tool for an unintended purpose, we cause much harm when we use our voice for the wrong purpose. James explains it this way, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” (James 3:9-12 NIV)
The implication is clear. If we claim to belong to God, we will not use our voice to harm or destroy others. We will not use our mouth for evil. It is totally inconsistent for us to curse others and still say that we follow Christ. What do our words tell us about our spiritual condition? To whom does our voice indicate we belong?
More Than All
We enjoy watching people who are skilled at what they do. We marvel at how an expert craftsman or artist can bring an intricate design to life. We thrill at the performance of an acrobat who can make complex flips and maneuvers look effortless. We applaud the smooth and precise playing of a musician. We lose ourselves in the tale of a favorite author or story teller. The feats of a businessman who can see opportunities where no one else does amaze us.
When we look at such people it is sometimes hard not to feel envy or a sense of wistfulness. “If only I had his talent; if only I had her brains, just think of the things I could do!”
Of course, much of our envy is misplaced. No one who is highly proficient at what they do, got where they are without a great deal of persistence and hard work. While we would like the recognition and acclaim those whom we admire receive, we are unwilling to put in the long, hard hours of practice and effort they did in order to develop the skills and talents they have.
But sometimes we also experience another feeling when we observe those who are more skilled or more advanced than we are. We feel inadequate. We feel that since we can never reach the same level of performance as someone else, our efforts are of no use at all. We have nothing to contribute. We are a failure.
Fortunately, God does not view things as we do. Once when Jesus was at the Temple in Jerusalem, He observed the people as they gave their offerings. Many rich people came and gave fabulous sums of money. There was also a destitute widow who came and gave two, tiny coins. In an objective sense, the widow gave very little. The coins were worth almost nothing. Of what value was her offering in comparison to the vast amount of gold and silver donated by others? Yet Jesus said that the widow gave more than all the others.
Why would Jesus say such a thing? Because the rich people gave a small fraction of their extra money. In contrast, the widow gave everything she had. (You can read the story for yourself in Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4.)
You see, how much we have is not what is important. What is important is what we do with what we have. In comparison to the world’s standards, or in comparison to someone else, we might not be very intelligent, we might not have much talent, we might not be very strong, we might not be very creative, we might not have much money. But God does not ask us to be as talented and accomplished as someone else. What He does ask of us is that we be willing to serve Him with whatever we do have. The Apostle Paul writes, “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” (2 Corinthians 8:12 NIV)
If we are willing to serve God with whatever we have, that is all He requires. We have no need to feel inadequate or inferior to anyone else regardless of how little we have to offer.
Not Against Flesh And Blood
We often have to face opposition of one sort or another. Perhaps it comes from a bully at school. Perhaps it is a rival at work. Perhaps it is a competitor who is trying to take business away from us. Perhaps it comes in the form of family members or neighbors who have a different philosophy of life than we do, or have different political convictions.
Probably the most difficult type of opposition we face is from those who believe differently than we do. This is especially difficult to take when others belittle and mock our morals and lifestyle. However, we should not be surprised that this happens. The Apostle Paul writes, “…everyone who wants to a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” (2 Timothy 3:12 NIV) The Apostle Peter agrees. He writes, “They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.” (1 Peter 3:4 NIV)
Whenever we face opposition, particularly when we suffer because of our faith, it is tempting to lash out at the people who are troubling us. We want to persecute those who persecute us. To do so, however, is against the teaching of Christ. He said, “…Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:44-45 NIV)
Why did Jesus instruct His followers to act this way toward their enemies and persecutors? No doubt there are many reasons, but one of the main ones is that those who persecute us are not the real enemy. Those who oppose our faith are only representatives of something far more powerful and significant. The Apostle Paul writes, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:11-12 NIV)
According to this passage our enemy is not people, but rather the spiritual beings from whom people have learned their ungodly philosophies and false values. Our battle is spiritual, not a physical one. We can never defeat the devil and the forces of evil by physical means. We cannot destroy darkness with more darkness. This is why we must counter hate with love, cursing with blessing. The only way to defeat darkness is to shine a light on it.
How bright is your light?
Fitting and Orderly
We have a saying, “Your actions speak so loud I can’t hear what you say.” What we mean by this is that we will not believe someone unless their words match what they do. If there is a difference in what someone says and what they do, we label them as inconsistent or hypocritical. It is also true that when there is a difference between actions and words, we believe the actions provide a better measure of a person than his words.
This has some unfortunate consequences. All too often, we judge a person by our first impression of him. And, we form that impression by what we see him doing. However, the truth is that none of us is at our best all of the time. We all do things which would give a wrong impression to someone who didn’t know us. We all do things which are easy for those who do not know us to misunderstand. There are probably many people who have formed a wrong opinion about us because of what they saw us do. They are now unwilling to listen to what we might have to say because they have already made up their minds about us. If we are honest with ourselves, we know that sometimes we have also done the same thing to others.
Those of us who follow Christ have an obligation to set a good example to others. Our character and our lives should draw others to Christ. Our telling them about Jesus will have little effect – or even turn people away from Him – unless our actions are in harmony with what we proclaim.
With that in mind, what do people see when they visit our homes? Do they see anger and bickering, or do they witness a family in which the members love and care about each other? Do they witness chaos, confusion and sloppiness, or do they see tidy, clean and well-ordered, yet comfortable living spaces?
We can ask the same question about our churches. The Apostle Paul took the church at Corinth to task because their assemblies were confused and disorderly. The church members were arguing and taking each other to court, rather than displaying love and forbearance toward each other. During their assemblies everyone tried to speak at once instead of listening to each other. They emphasized speaking in languages nobody understood instead of giving instruction which would help people live for Christ. Paul asked them what an unbeliever or someone who did not understand would think if he witnessed their assembly. Would he not conclude that Christ’s followers were crazy (1 Corinthians 14:23)?
Paul wrote that instead of promoting chaos, everything done in the assembly should be for the strengthening of the church (1 Corinthians 14:26). The goal was that everyone would be instructed and encouraged (1 Corinthians 14:31). He pointed out that, “…God is not a God of disorder but of peace…” (1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV) He concluded by saying that, “…everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (1 Corinthians 14:40 NIV)
What about our church assemblies? Does the way we act and conduct ourselves as a church encourage people to listen to what we have to say, or do our actions turn people away from hearing our message about Christ? Are our assemblies orderly? Are people encouraged and instructed when they attend?
The Right Time
Nobody likes to wait. We get frustrated when we go to an office to conclude some business and we have to sit in the waiting room until the person we have come to see is available. If we have a doctor’s appointment we become upset if the doctor is late. When we go to a restaurant, we want our food served immediately. We don’t like to wait even if it postpones disciplinary action. We would rather take our punishment and get it over with. We even get upset with God when He makes us wait. We pray and ask Him to grant us something or to resolve some problem and His response is, “Wait!”
Whether we like it or not, much of life consists of waiting. We do not always get what we want when we want it. Why is this so? Because there is often a right time for things to occur. What we want to happen might be a good thing, but the circumstances are not right. If we always received what we want, when we want it, it would not be for our good.
Jesus’ brothers once urged Him to go to a feast in Jerusalem in a blaze of publicity (John 7:1-5). However, Jesus refused to do so. He told them, “…The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right.” (John 7:6 NIV)
The difference between Jesus and His brothers was that they were thinking in human, earthly terms, while Jesus was following a divine plan. The brothers’ thinking was, “If you want to become famous, this is what you need to do.” However, Jesus’ intention was not to become famous – His intention was to do God’s will. The time would come when He would declare Himself at a feast and confront the religious authorities. But this was not the right time. He would follow God’s timetable rather than that of a marketing consultant.
Because Jesus was willing to wait for the right time, He was able to become our Savior. Scripture says, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6 NIV)
Sometimes we become discouraged because it seems that there is very little result from the work we do for God. Sometimes even the changes we would like to see in our own character and circumstances take far longer than we would like. Often it seems like God is not answering our prayers even though we are trying to do His will. Whenever we start to become discouraged we need to remember that perhaps the right time has not yet come. When the proper time does come, we will understand why it was necessary to wait. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9 NIV)
My Beloved Son (Luke 3:21-38)
There is no record of any prophecy from God for 400 years after the Prophet Malachi. Therefore, the Jewish people were excited when another prophet appeared and began speaking to them. His name was John and he preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As a result of his preaching many people repented of their sins and were baptized by him.
Then, one day, something happened which startled John. In chapter 3, verses 21 through 23 of his inspired Gospel, Luke tells us what happened. “Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.” Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old…”
Jesus’ baptism raises an important question. John urged sinners to repent and be baptized. Jesus was totally without sin. Why, then, did He need to be baptized? The Apostle Matthew records that John thought it was inappropriate for him to baptize Jesus. “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.” (Matthew 3:13-15 NIV)
What role or function did Jesus’ baptism have in fulfilling God’s purpose? Remember that John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. We can think of repentance as dying to our previous lifestyle. No, Jesus had no sins or bad habits to repent of but, from this point on, His life was going to be radically different than it was before. He was turning his back on the building trade and the carpenter shop in Nazareth. From this point on, His entire attention was going to be focused on fulfilling the mission God sent Him to accomplish. In His baptism, He was dying to His old life.
Even more importantly, it was at His baptism that Jesus received His divine commission. As soon as Jesus was baptized, the Spirit came upon Him. In addition to the Spirit, a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:23 NIV) What is the significance? Aside from demonstrating that Jesus had God’s approval, we can say that Jesus received His anointing at His baptism. Jesus implied as much when He read from the prophecy of Isaiah at the synagogue at Nazareth. “The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”” (Luke 4:17-21 NIV)
Later, the Apostle Peter indicated the same thing at the house of Cornelius, “You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached – how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” (Acts 10:37-38 NIV)
The Spirit came on Jesus at His baptism. It was then He was commissioned to do His ministry and it was then that He received the power to do it.
But this raises an objection. Wasn’t Jesus born ‘king of the Jews’? Wasn’t He identified as the Savior, Christ and Lord at His birth? Since this is so, how can we say that He was anointed at His baptism? Perhaps an analogy with a physical kingdom will help clarify the situation. Suppose an heir is born to an earthly king. Though he is royalty; though he will inherit the kingdom; though he is born to be king, he does not actually become the king until he goes through the investiture ceremony. In the same way, though He was born to be the Christ, Jesus did not actually become the Christ until His anointing at His baptism.
After telling us about Jesus’ baptism, Luke recites Jesus’ genealogy. We will not take the time to read the long list of names. Instead, we will merely mention a few important points. The first thing to notice is that this genealogy is very different than the one given by Matthew. How can this be? Matthew records Joseph’s ancestry. Though Joseph was not Jesus’ actual father, legally he was considered Jesus’ father. Luke, on the other hand, provides Jesus’ actual blood-line through His mother, Mary. This is apparent because Luke speaks of Joseph as Jesus’ supposed father. Then he gives Jesus’ actual line of descent. Thus, in Matthew we have Jesus’ legal genealogy, while in Luke we have His actual or blood genealogy. The important thing to note is that both lines go back to King David. Therefore, no matter how one traces the ancestry of Jesus – whether by law or by blood, He is the heir of King David – thus fulfilling the prophecies that the Christ would come from David’s line.
Another name which is prominent in both genealogies is Abraham. Through Jesus, Abraham’s descendant, God would fulfill His promise to Abraham that, “…all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3 NIV)
Luke also emphasizes that Jesus is the Son of God. At Jesus’ baptism a voice from heaven proclaimed Him to be the Son of God. The genealogy Luke provides also traces Jesus’ ancestry back to “…Adam, the son of God.” (Luke 3:38) Like Adam, Jesus had no biological father. “the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7 NIV) In contrast to Adam, Jesus was not created. He was with God from the beginning. However, in order to become and live as a man, Jesus was born to a woman through the power of the Holy Spirit. His mother, Mary was a virgin. Since neither Adam or Jesus had a physical father, it is appropriate to refer to both of them as the ‘son of God.’ This is also a reason why Jesus is sometimes called the ‘second Adam.’
When tempted, the first Adam succumbed and sinned. If you would like to know how the second Adam faced temptation, be sure to listen to our next program.
Preparing The Way (Luke 3:1-20)
When we look at Jesus’ ministry, we are amazed at what He was able to accomplish in just 3-1/2 years. Yet, it is probably fair to say that Jesus could not have done it in that short amount of time if it hadn’t been for John the Baptist.
In his inspired Gospel, Luke describes John’s ministry in chapter 3, verses 1 through 20, “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth. All flesh will see God’s salvation.’” He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones! Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.” The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?” He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.” Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.” As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ, John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire, whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people, but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done, added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.”
Something we learn from this account is that John’s ministry is not a fabricated story, made up to advance someone’s religious agenda. On the contrary, John and what he did are firmly rooted in actual history. The rulers Luke lists are well known to us from both Jewish and Roman historians. It would have been extremely easy for people of that day to verify the truth of what Luke wrote.
We also learn that John’s ministry was the fulfillment of prophecy. Hundreds of years before the Prophet Isaiah predicted that someone would prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. This was one of the main purposes of John’s ministry.
How did John prepare the way for Jesus? One thing he did was awake in people a realization that they were sinners in need of forgiveness. He also taught that true repentance would demonstrate itself in a changed way of living. Instead of only thinking of oneself, people should be generous to each other. Tax collectors should not use their position to defraud. Soldiers should be content with their pay and not threaten or accuse people unjustly.
Because of their acting on John’s teaching, people could accept Jesus’ teaching more readily. For example, in chapter 7, verses 29 through 30 of his account Luke remarks, “All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.” (NIV)
John not only taught a message of repentance, he consistently said that he was not the Messiah. Though he, himself, was not the Messiah, the Messiah’s coming was near. John’s proclamation of the Messiah awoke an expectation among the people and made them more ready to accept Jesus when He came. For example the Apostle John writes, “Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. Here he stayed and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true.” And in that place many believed in Jesus.” (John 10:40-42 NIV)
John also pointed out that there was a difference between his work and that of the coming Messiah. John baptized in water. The One who was coming would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. This is not to say that the Holy Spirit was absent in John’s ministry or that it was not the Spirit which moved people to repent and be baptized by him. However, the full blessing and power of the Holy Spirit would only be granted through the Messiah. Nor should we take John’s statement to mean that the Holy Spirit replaces baptism in water. Christ, Himself, baptized in water and taught His disciples to do so. The difference is that after the coming of Christ, the Holy Spirit is given to His followers at the time of their baptism in water. For example, on the day of Pentecost the Apostle Peter said to those who were listening to him, “…Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 NIV) If we want the Holy Spirit we, too, must repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of our sins. John said the Messiah would also baptize with fire. Fire refines and purifies. Jesus purifies His followers so they can stand in God’s holy presence. However, John also mentioned another kind of fire – the unquenchable, eternal fire which will consume those who reject Christ. Jesus gives us the choice of which fire we will experience – the fire of the Holy Spirit which cleanses and purifies or the fire which destroys.
John was impartial. He not only spoke out against the sins of the common people and called them to repentance, he also spoke out against the sins of the rich and powerful. But integrity can be dangerous. When John rebuked King Herod for his evil deeds, Herod threw him in prison.
If you would like to know what happened when John encountered the Messiah whose coming he predicted, please listen to our next program.
Growing In Wisdom (Luke 2:41-52)
There was a flurry of divine activity around the time of Jesus’ birth. But after the birth, silence descends again. We know almost nothing of Jesus’ childhood and early adult years. Only one incident is mentioned. This incident gives us an interesting insight into Jesus’ awareness of who He was and His mission. In chapter 2, verses 41 through 52 of his inspired Gospel, Luke writes, “His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it, but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.” He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
We don’t know why Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem when His parents left to return to Galilee. The account is unclear as to whether Jesus had been with His parents before on their annual pilgrimages. If He had been, we do not know why this trip was any different in Jesus’ mind than any of the others. On the other hand, if this was Jesus’ first trip to Jerusalem for Passover, Jesus may have assumed that His parents were going to leave Him at the Temple as the prophet Samuel’s mother had left him at the Tabernacle (1 Samuel 1:20-28).
We don’t know at what age Jesus began to understand who He was. It’s clear from what He said to his parents that by age twelve He knew that God was His heavenly Father. “…Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49 NIV) It seems that He also had some idea that He was to have a special role in God’s plan, but He obviously did not fully understand the role or the timing. Another eighteen years had to pass before the time was right for Him to begin His ministry. In the meantime, He had to return to Nazareth and obey His parents. This lesson was to stand Him in good stead later in life. Hebrews chapter 5, verse 8 says, “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered” (NIV). No doubt the lesson in obedience Jesus learned at age twelve helped Him face the much harder tests of obedience later on.
The fact that Jesus had to learn brings up an intriguing question. Luke chapter 2, verse 52 says that Jesus “…grew [or increased] in wisdom…” (NIV) This means that He did not have as much wisdom as a boy as He did as a young adult or as a man. Yet, since Jesus was Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23) how can this be? If Jesus is divine – and Scripture is plain that He is – why would He need to grow in wisdom? Being God, wouldn’t Jesus already possess all wisdom, along with the other attributes of God?
The answer to this dilemma is found in Colossians chapter 2, verse 9, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,” (NIV). The key is the phrase ‘bodily form.’ Yes, Jesus is God in the flesh, but in order for Him to take on a physical body, He had to leave certain aspects or dimensions of divinity behind. He had to accept the limitations inherent in the medium. Only so much of God can fit in the package of a human body. Philippians chapter 2, verse 5 through 7 explains it this way, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (NIV)
According to this verse, in comparison to the nature of God, the nature of a human being is nothing. Not very much of God can fit or be expressed in the form of a human body. Also, the capacity of the human form is much different at various stages of life. So, while Jesus was a baby, He displayed as much of the fullness of God as a baby is capable of containing. As His physical body grew and developed, its capacity to contain more of the fullness of God also increased. The boy was more capable than the baby and the man more capable than the boy.
Hebrews chapter 1, verse 3 expresses the concept with a different metaphor. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…” (NIV) The idea of a representation or an image can help us understand why Jesus had limitations even though He is God in the flesh. Suppose you take a digital picture. The image may be absolutely perfect, yet it is very different than the reality it represents. For example, the object you took a picture of is material – it is composed of physical matter. In contrast, the image has no material existence – it is merely an expression of the object. The object has length, breadth and depth. We can feel it, taste it and hear it. The image lacks many of these attributes. In the same way, though Jesus is the perfect image of God, the medium of the human body cannot fully express who God really is.
Did Jesus have to learn right from wrong? Did He ever make mistakes as a child? Scripture does not answer questions like this directly. However, there are two things we do know for certain: 1) Jesus never sinned. 2) Jesus was tempted in every way that we are (Hebrews 4:15). This means that as a baby Jesus overcame whatever difficulties babies face. As a boy He overcame whatever temptations boys face. The same holds true for when He was a young adult and a man. He faced it all, and always did the right thing. He did not sin.
This doesn’t mean that Jesus already knew everything and how to act. No doubt He had to learn the social graces, just like everybody else. No doubt He had to learn to work and use tools just like every other human. No doubt He had to go to school and learn how to read, just like other boys. Since Scripture says He was tempted in all ways, some things probably did not come easily to Him. Yet, whatever problems and temptations He faced, He overcame them all.
If you would like to learn about the events leading up to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, be sure to listen to our next program.
Consecrated To The Lord (Luke 2:21-40)
Parents often wonder what their children will become when they grow up. Though parents do their best to raise their children properly, how their children turn out is often beyond their control. Two children born to the same parents, raised in the same environment and according to the same principles can have very different characters and values when they become adults.
The angel Gabriel told Mary that the son which would be born to her through the power of the Holy Spirit would be called the ‘Son of the Most High’. God would also give Him the throne of King David and His kingdom would never end. An angel also revealed to some shepherds that this baby was the Savior which the Jewish people had long awaited. Mary pondered all these things in her heart, yet she could not know all the implications of what was said about her son.
Mary’s amazement increased even more by what happened when she and Joseph completed the rituals the Law of Moses required of them at the birth of a first-born son. In chapter 2, verses 21 through 40 of his inspired Gospel, Luke tells us what happened. “When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.” Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem. When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.”
From this passage we see that Joseph and Mary were God-fearing and devout. When Mary’s son was born they gave Him the name Jesus just as the angel Gabriel had instructed. In addition they also did exactly what the Law of Moses required of them. On the eighth day after His birth they circumcised Jesus. Then, at the appropriate time they took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem in order to consecrate Him to God. This ritual pointed back to how God rescued the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. God instructed the Israelites, “…Redeem every firstborn among your sons. In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in Egypt, both man and animal. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.’” (Exodus 13:13-15 NIV) In light of this, the name Jesus is highly significant. The angel told Joseph, “…you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21 NIV) Just as God, through Moses, delivered the Israelites from physical bondage, God was going to deliver all mankind from the slavery of sin through Jesus.
Something else we learn from this incident at the Temple is that Joseph and Mary were poor. The sacrifice they gave during the purification ceremony was only permitted to those who could not afford to offer a lamb. This should give us great encouragement. Many people think that because they are poor they cannot serve God in any significant way. However, God gave this couple one of the most important responsibilities in all history. What matters is not how much money we have but how much we love God.
In one sense Simeon’s message must have been a comfort to Joseph and Mary. He confirmed what the angel told them about Jesus – Jesus would bring salvation to His people. Simeon went on to say that Jesus would not only save the Jewish people, He would also bring light to the Gentiles. This was a confirmation of the message the prophet Isaiah spoke hundreds of years before about God’s Servant who was to come, “…It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6 NIV) It is no wonder that Joseph and Mary marveled at Simeon’s words.
However, Simeon’s next words must have disturbed them. Even though Jesus came to save, many would oppose Him. Mary, too, would be pierced with sorrow.
The amazing day was not over. As Simeon finished speaking a devout widow approached and also began telling others about Jesus. Her words must have been a comfort to Mary and Joseph.
The Apostle Matthew records that not long after this Joseph and Mary were forced to flee for a time to Egypt in order to save Jesus’ life. However, Luke merely tells us that when they had done everything required by the Law of Moses, they returned to Nazareth in Galilee. It is there that Jesus grew up. In addition to physical and intellectual growth, Luke mentions that God’s grace was with Him. We often define grace as God’s favor. However, the Scriptures also say that it is grace which gives us the power to say no to evil and to do what is right. The same grace which enabled Jesus to live a holy and upright life is available to all those who love God. Aside from Luke’s statement that Jesus grew, we know very little about His childhood. If you would like to know about the one incident which is recorded, be sure to listen to our next program.
The Savior Is Born (Luke 2:1-20)
When a life-upsetting event occurs, many of us like to go away to a different place so that we can think about the situation. Perhaps a change of environment will help to see our situation more clearly. When the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to a son through the power of the Holy Spirit, she went to stay for about three months with her relative Elizabeth, who was also expecting a child. However, when the time came for Elizabeth’s child, John, to be born it was also time for Mary to return to her own home.
Though Mary received great comfort and encouragement from her stay with Elizabeth, she returned to an uncertain future. Though Luke does not record this in his inspired Gospel, we know from other Scriptures that Joseph, Mary’s fiancé, decided to divorce her. He thought Mary had broken her vows and been unfaithful to him. It was only after an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and explained the true situation that Joseph was willing to accept Mary into his house. No doubt the village gossips had plenty to say about both Mary and Joseph when he did so.
The unbelief of their friends and the slander of the village gossips was not the only problem the couple had to face. The Roman government also gave them trouble. In chapter 2, verses 1 through 7 of his inspired Gospel, Luke explains, “Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant. While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
The birth of Jesus totally violates our sense of what is appropriate. Remember that the angel told Mary that the son she would bear would be a king and that His kingdom would never end. It is true that both Mary and Joseph were descendants of King David, but it is also true that they were poor, unknown and from an obscure village. On the surface, there was nothing royal about them. Royal couples travel with a huge entourage of servants to take care of their every need. Their vehicles are the best and most comfortable that money can buy. But this couple did not travel in comfort. Joseph and Mary had no one to attend them. Though popular tradition pictures Mary riding a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the Bible does not say she did. It is possible that she had to walk the whole way even though she was pregnant. On the roads she and Joseph probably traveled this was a distance of about 145 kilometers. Royal couples are given the best rooms in the fanciest accommodations. But for this couple there was no room at all. They had to content themselves with staying with the animals. The birth of a royal child is attended by the finest physicians and given the best care. This child was born attended by animals and had to make do with a feeding trough for a bed.
There are some who take offense at the circumstances of Jesus’ birth and say that God would never subject His holy Prophet to such lowly and humiliating circumstances. But they forget the reason Jesus came into the world. Though He was born a King, He came to serve and eventually give His life for all mankind. He taught that greatness is achieved by serving others. Therefore it is entirely appropriate that the One through whom the universe was created would be born into obscure poverty. Starting with His birth His life was a practical illustration of His teaching.
God gave another sign that the Savior was for everyone, not just the rich and powerful. In verses 8 through 20 Luke writes, “There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.” When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.”
The shepherds were terrified when the angel appeared to them and the Lord’s glory shone around them. Almost anyone would be frightened if their normal routine was interrupted by a divine visitation. However, unlike many, the shepherds did not allow their fright to paralyze them. They not only listened to the angel’s message, they believed it. Then, the shepherds acted on their belief. They left their flocks in the fields and hurried to Bethlehem to see the new-born Savior as He lay in the manger. The shepherd’s behavior is in stark contrast to that of the religious leaders in Jerusalem. The Apostle Matthew records that when the leaders were told that the Messiah the Jewish people had been anticipating for hundreds of years had finally been born, they could not be bothered to travel the short distance to Bethlehem to welcome Him. Throughout His time on the earth it was the religious leaders who opposed Christ while the common people heard Him gladly.
The rough and primitive conditions in which they found the Savior did not matter to the shepherds. Instead, they praised and glorified God. Since the shepherds found the new-born baby and His parents just as the angel described them, they knew the angel also spoke the truth about this child being the promised Savior. After seeing Jesus they spread the news about His birth.
What about us? Are we are offended by the circumstances of Jesus birth? Like the innkeeper do we refuse Jesus room? Are we indifferent like the religious leaders, or like the humble shepherds do we rejoice at the coming of our Savior? If you would like to know more about this child born in such lowly conditions, listen to our next program.