December 23, 2018

Dwell

Editor's Note: Today, I'd like to introduce you to a wonderful new writer, Lauren Knuth. Her insights on the season will make you sit up and take notice of the God who loved us so much that He sent His Only Son Jesus to Earth. Enjoy!
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Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests”
                       Luke 2:11-14

What a sight to behold!  Can you imagine?  Standing in a field, like every other night, watching over your sheep and then suddenly an angel appears and begins talking to you?  “Do not be afraid”…. Well, that might be a little late!  And then before you know it, you are standing in front of not only one angel, but a whole host?  That would leave a lasting impression!  And the cause of this heavenly invasion?  God on earth.  God. As in the creator of the earth.  The universe.  He had decided to arrive on earth. And the package God chose to wrap the Savior of the world?  The incarnation of God himself?  A baby.

Crazy, right?  Or at the very least unexpected.  His heavenly harolding seems to have more power, presence and authority than the form of God himself. So why? Why would God choose to make His entrance in such a weak, frail and vulnerable form?

I have wondered and wrestled with this question.  And in the midst of my searching I felt the Lord remind me of another verse that tends to grace the front of many Christmas cards this season.  In John 1:14 it says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory...”  Did you catch it?  He made his dwelling among us.  It does not say that He came and ruled among us.  It does not say that He came and judged among us.  No.  He made His dwelling among us.  This is a New Testament reflection of the tabernacle.  When God is giving directions on building the tabernacle in Exodus 25:8 He says, “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.”  Even in the Old Testament, God’s heart has been to dwell with us.

Have you ever held a newborn?  If you think about those first precious (and exhausting!) months, there isn’t a lot that a baby can do.  Newborn babies can’t sit, they haven’t even learned how to use their hands to reach for something they want. They spend most of their time being held.  They have no choice but to just be.  Babies dwell.  It’s really all they can do. What if part of the point of God sending Jesus in the form of a baby is to show us His heart?  While God rules and judges the world, His top priority- even back in Exodus with the tabernacle- is to dwell with His people. With us.  In this God shows that He is infinitely more patient than we are.  We get impatient in our lane on the highway and decide the next one is worth switching to. But God.  When it came to sending the Savior and the means of salvation to the world, He was content to send a baby and wait for Him to grow.  God decided that out of all the options, He wanted Jesus to grow among us.  To dwell among us.

Look again at the passage from Luke and what the angel says.  Look at what the good news is that the angel is sharing.  It is not merely the birth of a baby. The good news is the birth of a Savior, the Messiah. The heavenly host was praising not the baby form of Jesus, but the mission and purpose of Jesus. The praise was for the Messiah, the Savior of the world. In that moment, Jesus was not yet at the cross.  Jesus had not yet been raised from the dead.  He had only just been born as a baby. But God had the eyes to see who He was meant to be and the mission He was meant to accomplish.  That is what the angels were praising.

The Christmas season can be hard, especially for those that don’t know the hope that is found in Jesus. But while you’re walking through life this Christmas season, I encourage you to dwell.  Dwell with other believers.  Dwell with family.  Even dwell with the family that can be a little difficult.  But don’t forget to dwell with those that don’t know Jesus- yet.  Dwell with those like Jesus dwelled with us.  Be with them.  Pray for God’s eyes to see that person as He sees them. Pray that He shows you who He made them to be and the mission He made for them to accomplish.  And have patience.  Wait for that moment where you can be God’s voice to them, encouraging them in who God made them to be.  God was willing to be patient for us- to send us the Savior of the world as a baby.  Be that for someone else.  Dwell with them as they grow. Dwell with them as they search.  Dwell with them while they struggle.  Dwell with them as they mature. This Christmas, take time to dwell with them as He dwelled with us.

(Copyright Lauren Knuth.)

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