When God Says …
“And so it was, that, while they were there, 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 2:6-7 KJV).
Parents, specially first-time parents, wait in anticipation for the birth of a child in their families. They/we excitedly wait for the time to come, unsure when that time will arrive. The sages and medical experts may speculate on the arrival date, but the exact time is elusive. Doctors and nurses talk about subtle body signals, bursting water, effacement and dilation measures but they can't be certain either. Young awaiting siblings will drive everyone crazy by asking every day for months if this is the day.
One can Imagine the excitement among the angels of heaven at this birth of the Lord Jesus. It wasn't just Joseph and Mary who were waiting. The hosts of heaven awaited the Lord’s birth. So at just the right time, the "time came for her baby to be born." Like any good mother, Mary welcomed her child, and God began his gracious and sacrificial journey through humanity, swaddled at his birth like every other new baby, but with his bed made in a manger — a humble beginning for a humble life. The question you and I face is whether we will give God a room in the most important place, a place in our hearts.
Yes, the Lord Jesus was born poor and made poor for our sakes so in Him we are made rich. The event was so humiliating a way to be born but full of symbolic significance for our well-being. He was born of all places brought about by the affairs of the time to be in Bethlehem at the right time. Bethlehem in Hebrew means House of Bread, affirming that Jesus the bread of life is in the house being delivered. He was born in a manger or feeding trough. Foretelling that He is destined to die the passage emphasized Him being wrapped with swaddling clothes or strips of burial clothes. At His birth He was marked to die for a special reason - you and I.
Scriptures, reveal these truth to us all who believes and rest in the Lord’s finished work on the cross by grace. It is written: “Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:32-35 NIV). And…
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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