The world is as full as ever with hedonistic rulers and dictators who live lavish lives of luxury while their people wallow in squalid poverty. The leader of North Korea, despite his stroke, recently tried to add two new yachts to his fleet. Last year thousands of his people died of malnutrition and starvation. We put John Deere tractors on ships heading to third world nations only to have a miracle happen and brand new luxury automobiles arrive at the intended ports. I actually had a young man in Uganda tell me he wanted to be a politician so he could exploit people. By mentioning this I do not mean to infer it doesn’t happen here.
What I do want to point out is Jesus’ birth in a filthy stable, His early life in a humble home, His lack of material goods and His incredible act of becoming a created being destined for the most inhuman sacrifice humans knew how to deliver. The contrast between our Jesus and a good share of the leaders of earth is so astounding it takes away our breath.
There are twelve verses of Scripture we really need to read and reread just in case we might forget them. When we are finished reading Isaiah 53 we need to immediately follow it with Colossians 1:15 – 17. Then finish with a dose of Philippians 2. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond servant, and coming in the likeness of men.” There never was another like Him.
Written by Roger Bothwell on April 28, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwell.org