Advent Devotional Day 11: Why Bother?

December 11:

B.C. verse: Luke 1:39-45

A.D. verse: Galatians 3:14; I Peter 3:13

Christmas hymn: “Away in a Manger”

Hymn for today: “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman

I may not understand what Jesus Christ says, but the only thing that will bring him dishonor is not obeying him. . .I know when a proposition comes from God because of its quiet persistence. When I have to weigh the pros and cons, and doubt and debate come in, I am bringing in an element that is not of God, and I come to the conclusion that the suggestion was not a right one. Many of us are loyal to our notions of Jesus Christ, but how many of us are loyal to him? Loyalty to Jesus means that I have to step out where I do not see anything. . .Faith is not an intelligent understanding; faith is deliberate commitment to a Person where I see no way.

Not coincidentally (because I don’t believe in coincidence), my devotional reading from Oswald Chambers’ His Utmost for my Highest correlates with today’s Advent reading concerning Mary’s visit to Elizabeth.  “You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said”(Luke 1:45).

 It’s seems like a simple math equation; belief equals blessing. Just as Joseph obeyed, Mary, too, submitted to God’s Plan. For her obedience, Mary is honored and favored.

The lesson is clear, but here’s the thing: I have a question. It probably seems irrelevant and maybe even disrespectful, but it’s where my mind is going today.

I understand the prophecy. I understand (and am grateful) for God’s decision to come to this earth, to live among mankind, to offer redemption and grace. I understand why he came as an infant.

What I wonder is why He incorporated so many humans into His big entrance. I mean, come on; God is God. He could have entered the world in any way He wanted to in order to save His people. Why Zechariah? Elizabeth? John the Baptist? Mary? Joseph? After all, it was mankind who created the mess in the first place (hence, the reason for the prophecy). Why, in the world, would He even think about infusing mankind into the whole redemption process?

As I mulled this over, I came to a couple of conclusions. I am not claiming any theology other than what I know to be true about God.

1.       In much the same way that a parent loves his/her child, God, our heavenly Father, loves us no matter how badly we screw up, and in the case of mankind, we screwed up big time. Perhaps, God incorporated mankind so that he could part of the solution to the problem. He didn’t NEED mankind’s help, but in order for mankind to have a “buy-in” and really appreciate the sacrifice, it seems like a good idea.

For example, when Nick was little, he liked to drive his electric fire truck up and down our driveway, the sidewalk, and the neighbor’s driveway. Our next door neighbor was very particular about everything – lawn, vehicles, etc. One time, Nick turned a bit too fast and left a black mark on the neighbor’s immaculate driveway. When we discovered what he had done, my husband brought Nick next door where he proceeded to apologize and scrub the black mark off the driveway.

The point is that Nick had made the mistake, so with his dad’s help, Nick was also a part of the solution to the problem. A parent who loves his child disciplines his child without destroying the relationship. Perhaps God intended the same?

2.       Along the same lines, by incorporating mankind, God modeled the concept of grace. Just as God humbled himself to the point of death to fix a problem that man had created, mankind was now challenged to extend the same grace to each other. Perhaps, that was His intent? Since the rest of the New Testament provides lesson after lesson as to how to live in God-like harmony with our brothers and sisters, that might make some sense.

3.       Additionally, the concept of faith in relation to true joy is emphasized with man’s involvement. From Elizabeth to Joseph to Mary, we see one example after another of faithful obedience leading to greater-than-imagined results. Perhaps, in order to train mankind to look to God for guidance and leading, God opted to include mankind as part of the process? Even today, each successful faith step and subsequent blessing leads to an understanding of where true joy can be found – an invaluable and necessary concept, especially as we await Christ’s return.

      At the end of the day, I see four key words that create the link between God and mankind (with reference to both the birth story and today): Love, Grace, Faith, Joy.

Daily Challenge: Donate something (and not junk you want to unload) today. . .a book, blood, clothes, etc.