A
Baby, a King and a Kingdom
“But
He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God
to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” Luke 4:43
The air was cold that night and the
group of shepherds huddled together by the fire trying to keep warm. It was an ordinary night in the hills outside
of Bethlehem. They talked about their
families and the fear they held for King Herod.
In Bethlehem, the inn keeper was
still grumbling about all the people he had to deal with. He was happy to have so many staying with
him, but now it was full and he had to turn away several. The young couple stayed on his mind. The woman looked so tired and it was obvious
she was about to deliver a child. Out of
the goodness of his heart, he let them stay in the stable, but what a terrible
place to give birth to a child.
In the stable, Joseph piled clean
straw as far from the animals as he could.
He then took off his cloak and laid it over the mound of straw. Mary quickly lay down and Joseph covered her
with her cloak. He could see the tears
in her eyes; tears of fear. She was
young and inexperienced; wishing her mother could be there. She would know what to do.
This is the way it was that first
Christmas; everything was set in place for the greatest event in history. The angels were gathered together in
anticipation of what was about to take place. One angel was surrounded by a
great light that shone all around them.
Joy was on the face of each angel as they sang praises to the Almighty
One.
Back
in Bethlehem, out of the stillness of the night a baby’s cry rang out. It woke the innkeeper from a restless sleep
who smiled sleepily and fell into a peaceful sleep. Other people in the inn woke up to a bright
light shining in their faces only to look out at the brightest star in the sky
they had ever seen.
We all know the story of the
shepherds coming to worship the new born baby. Then possibly two years later
there were wise men (Magi) who came to the house where Joseph and Mary lived
with their child, Jesus. From there they traveled to Egypt and lived until King
Herod died. Joseph heard in a dream that
they should return to Israel but go into Galilee where it was safe for Jesus
and they turned aside and made their home in Nazareth. Joseph was a carpenter and Jesus also learned
that trade while growing up. Matthew 13:55-56 tells us that Jesus had brothers
and sisters. The brothers were James,
Joses, Simon and Judas, and his sisters were not named. Jesus started his
ministry when he was about 30 years of age.
When Jesus went to his home town of Nazareth and began to teach, they
rejected him because they knew his whole family and couldn’t understand the
wisdom he spoke. He did little works there because of their unbelief. They knew
him and they knew his family, but he was rejected.
Jesus continued on throughout
Israel teaching, preaching and healing. He called on people to “Repent for the
Kingdom of God is at hand.” He taught about repentance and forgiveness; how to
walk in righteousness and truth.
He also
taught about living a life of Love and Peace in a world of darkness. Jesus, a Baby who came to die, a King who
came to Rule and a Kingdom for all eternity.
All people have existence, but all do not have true life, for you can’t
have it without Jesus.
Now
is the time to fall on your knees and worship the one who paid the price for
our sins and gives us eternal life.
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