Ahhh, December. What a wonderful time of year. And the month started out just right, with a perfect snow that covered all the autumnal decay. Time now to focus our attention on the tiny Babe. The One whose coming changed history and the world. The One who gave His life for unworthy mankind.
Yes, Jesus came to earth to die . . . but He also came to teach us how to live. He modeled the life He wants for us. And everything He did shows us how absolutely backwards we have it.
He ate and drank with sinners, and touched the outcasts of society.
He took time for little children and never turned anyone away.
He patiently ministered to the crowds around him, but found quiet spots in which to pray.
He told us to love as He loved, and forgive as He forgave.
He said to take up our cross daily. To sell all we have and give to the poor.
He taught us to love our enemies. To turn the other cheek. To serve rather than be served.
He said the first shall be last. And that it is better to give than to receive.
He said we must lose our life to save it.
That thinking goes against our human tendencies. It is totally foreign to a 'me first' culture.
I told you: upside down and backwards.
There's an eye-opening verse in Luke that says, "What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight." (16:15)
Just some food for thought as we head into the celebration of our Savior's birth. What better gift can we give our Lord than to begin to act like Him?
No comments:
Post a Comment