Hebrews 2:14-15 (NRSV) 14 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. This was the love of God for the world, for all of human life. This was the most astounding cultural move in history. God was changing his location. He was moving in with us. He was going to experience humanity in a remarkable way. God made himself vulnerable by coming as a baby born in the midst of a scandal. Here is this young woman who was not married who got pregnant with God’s baby. Is that hard to believe?
Jesus is born to poor parents. When they came to present Jesus in the Temple on the eighth day, they brought a pair of turtledoves or pigeons. It was the offering if one could not afford a sheep. I find that interesting. God came to draw close to us in our struggles. He did not come to show us ‘the easy life.’
He also followed through. Yes, he physically suffered. More than that, he knew what it was like to be separated from God, to be lonely, to be afraid that ‘things’ would not turn out alright. I think that it began at his birth, but the cross took that sacrifice to a pointed peak.
And the point of it all? He knows. God knows what your life is like. He knows about loneliness. He understands love and pride and grief and unfairness. He knows about darkness and beauty. He knows temptation. He knows about politics and religion. He knows about being a baby and about dying.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten. I don’t see this as a light-hearted present. This was a deep and profound gift. This was a heart-breaking gift. This was love for you and me. This was a love lesson. Do you love? This is what love really is. Could we learn it? I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. This was the love of God for the world, for all of human life. This was the most astounding cultural move in history. God was changing his location. He was moving in with us. He was going to experience humanity in a remarkable way. God made himself vulnerable by coming as a baby born in the midst of a scandal. Here is this young woman who was not married who got pregnant with God’s baby. Is that hard to believe?
Jesus is born to poor parents. When they came to present Jesus in the Temple on the eighth day, they brought a pair of turtledoves or pigeons. It was the offering if one could not afford a sheep. I find that interesting. God came to draw close to us in our struggles. He did not come to show us ‘the easy life.’
He also followed through. Yes, he physically suffered. More than that, he knew what it was like to be separated from God, to be lonely, to be afraid that ‘things’ would not turn out alright. I think that it began at his birth, but the cross took that sacrifice to a pointed peak.
And the point of it all? He knows. God knows what your life is like. He knows about loneliness. He understands love and pride and grief and unfairness. He knows about darkness and beauty. He knows temptation. He knows about politics and religion. He knows about being a baby and about dying.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten. I don’t see this as a light-hearted present. This was a deep and profound gift. This was a heart-breaking gift. This was love for you and me. This was a love lesson. Do you love? This is what love really is. Could we learn it? I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!
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