12.13.17 // Expecting the Messiah: Humble Beginnings

Luke 2:6-7
“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

As I was thinking about the humble state of Jesus’ birth, the word “majesty” would not leave my mind. Let’s read the definition below along with some verses describing the majesty of God.

Majesty = impressive stateliness, dignity, or beauty; royal power

1 Chronicles 29:11 – “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.”

Psalm 148:13 – “Let them praise the name of the Lord; for His name alone is exalted, His majesty is above earth and heaven.”

All throughout Scripture, and especially within the Old Testament, we find the word “majesty” used to describe the Lord. It refers to His immeasurable and unmatchable beauty, worth, and power. Over and over again, Scripture portrays Him as a God of strength, majesty, and power. Even prophecies about Jesus call Him the “King of Kings,” describing His royal power. Our Lord is majestic! Jesus Christ is the King of Kings, the ruler over all! And yet…when we think of the baby born in Bethlehem…

Let’s consider the humble circumstances of His birth…
-       Born as a helpless infant
-       Delivered in a dirty, smelly stable because his parents couldn’t find a room
-       Was greeted by cows and sheep upon His arrival
-       Rested in a feeding trough for farm animals
-       Visited by lowly shepherds
-       Wrapped in his mother’s clothing

“Majesty” is not the first word that comes to our mind upon reviewing this list! This is a very humble list. A baby born in a stable and laid in a manger does not seem like a powerful, majestic thing! In fact, Scripture goes on to record in Isaiah that while Jesus was on earth, He actually would have “no form or majesty” that we should look upon Him as desirable. Read Isaiah 53:2 below. 

Isaiah 53:2 – “For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.”

Jesus was willing to endure the humble beginnings of His birth on the earth, and in fact, He continued on in this humble servant state for the duration of His life and ministry on earth.

Jesus described His own life and ministry in this way, as He challenged His disciples to follow in His footsteps: “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” We see in the example of Jesus washing His disciples feet that He embraced this humility. From His birth to His death, He was humble. The God of the universe was humbled to the point of the lowliest servant! And it all began the moment Jesus took his first breath on earth! Amazing!

This Christmas season, ponder the humble beginnings of our Savior. Thank Him for being willing to come in the form of a baby to a smelly stable filled with farm animals and shepherds. Praise Him for His example of humility, and ask Him to give you the strength and desire to serve others as He did.

Merry Christmas!


Always, Jacquelyn

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