Where You Wouldn’t Expect Him
Fred Hammond sang and popularised a song called The Living Word which depicted the contrasting aspects of Jesus. See how he is a holy king and a carpenter. Admire how He is an awesome ruler and at the same time a gentle redeemer.
Matthew begins the contrast in the Messiah coming out the Mess in the first chapter, but ramps up the contrasts in the second chapter.
First we have these seriously influential men known as the Magi – they are not a bunch of hobos on a journey, these are serious men and they pop in to Jerusalem to get some directions for the birthplace of the King of the Jews and where do they find him? In the palace, right? In the capital city, right? Where the buzz is, right?
What is interesting as well is that unlike Luke, Matthew ain’t bothered about Jesus being away in a manger with a crib for a bed (or was it no crib? I wasn’t the best when it came to the carols). I was even more intrigued to see that by the time the Magi arrive in Bethlehem looking for the King, Joey and Mary are in a house.
Still, it has to be something when you think about it. Bethlehem – what’s that? A house in the middle of nowhere, with a newly wed couple and their newborn baby and up pops this entourage of seriously wealthy important people, rushing past everyone to pay homage … to a baby. Also ask yourself this – these are foreigners. These are not dudes from the home country – they’ve travelled a distance to give it up … for a foreigner? These serious hombres don’t have a problem getting their worship on in the middle of nowhere and despite the surroundings. A house no less – not that this would ever work again, would it?!
Of course, however, not everyone was so elated by this news and someone high up took umbrage and got rather nervous at the thought of a competitor coming in on his turf. So from the one scene of this baby being the recipient of treatment reserved for royalty then the baby’s parents have to saddle him up quickly to make a dash for … well would you look at that … foreign lands. From the King to a refugee in the space of hours (or was it days … how long did the Magi knock about … notice we’re not told)
The Believer – Suffering and Celebrating
That’s not the whole chapter and as ever there is more than enough to keep meditating for quite some time in the rest of the chapter, but just from this consider this.
From his birth Jesus knew what it was to be persecuted and to suffer as well as what it was to be worshipped and adored. Jesus knew what it was to be to be a refugee and an outcast. Imagine Mary relaying these stories to Him as He grew up and that echoing in with His call as the Son of God.
Consider that for the call of the believers. We are called like Jesus to be the child of royalty. Scripture informs us that there is a crown of life laid up for those that endure to the end. We are given glorious pictures of what awaits those who remain true to the faith. Even in this life it is not as though we are bereft of tastes of glory, there are those moments of favour with man and with God that gives insights into what is in store for us. Yet we are also outcasts – our very character and position in Christ is a threat to the status quo. You don’t have to believe me, but the news about people being victimised for holding onto righteousness is not just about incidents in far off lands. There is no rule under heaven that is innocent of looking to minimise Christian influence. As long as we belong to the King then overtly or covertly the rule in which we live will look to marginalise and minimise impact.
That’s not hocus pocus, that’s reality for Christians who make a stand and are relieved of their employment responsibilities in this country. That’s the reality for those whose livelihoods become impoverished because of ‘equalities’ legislation. And there’s more to come as the challenge to Christians to live up to their identity as people of the Kingdom comes into conflict with the prevailing trends of today.
And yet we are reassured again that the refugee is the king and the time of being an outcast and unpopular would be far outweighed by the crown that awaited Him for all the suffering that would cost.
I wonder if we’re ready to take on all those qualities of being a follower of Christ – the meekness and the majesty.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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