More Than a Babe

It is a stunning event in a book full of stunning events. It begins the narrative of God’s new covenant with His people, and it is a most unusual way for such a narrative to begin. A child is born to a poor Jewish couple; so poor that when they go to offer sacrifice to God, they must buy turtle doves instead of a lamb or a calf. So poor that the child is born in a stable, not the pristine, clean version depicted by most nativity scenes, but a real stable, complete with the filth and smells of ordinary barnyard animals.

That the world has come to worship this beginning is not surprising. After all, the worship of a baby demands little in the way of true, living sacrifice.

But Jesus is so much more than just a babe.

Consider that Matthew spends just two chapters of his gospel on the birth and early life of Jesus, as does Luke. Mark and John spend absolutely no time discussing the birth of Christ. Thus, in the four gospels, only 180 of 3,759 verses (or 4%) concern themselves with the event which so preoccupies the world. What of the rest of the gospels? What of the rest of the New Testament?

Those who wish to worship a baby are, for the most part, not interested in the Jesus of John 6, who rebukes a crowd of people seeking to be fed or to see some sort of miracle, as if Jesus were a circus attraction. That Jesus demands, “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, even God, has set His seal” (Jn. 6:27). That Jesus is so disappointing that most of His followers turn away and forsake Him (Jn. 6:66).

Those preoccupied with the manger are not interested in the demands of the cross, which Peter says causes us to “endure with patience” when we suffer for our faith (1 Pet. 2:18-25). The suffering of Jesus on the cross demands that we respond with a faith willing to persevere in the face of trials and temptations, and even suffering, because we serve the Christ, not a babe.

Those who wish only to worship an infant are not interested in the resurrected Lord, whose ongoing life gives us the hope of eternal life ourselves. The risen Jesus requires that we be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

Those whose “lord” is a tiny child cannot be troubled with a Savior who yet lives and will judge a world which has rejected living like Him. That Jesus demands, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).

As Christmas nears, and your friends and neighbors call on you to worship Christ the babe, plead with them to worship the Christ who is so much more than just a babe. Call on them to serve the Christ who is the Creator and King of all. Call on them to serve the Christ who, because of the great sacrifice of His own life, is worthy of their praise and honor and glory. Call on them to serve the Christ who, by virtue of His resurrection, can save them. Let them come, not to the manger in a stable, but to the cross and the empty tomb. Help them to see the real Jesus and how He directs your life.

Interested in reading more? Download the tract “More Than a Manger.”

Related

Abundant Life: December 2009

• Toward a Better Understanding of Christmas by Mark Roberts
• Why Doesn't Westside Have a Christmas Service? by Mark Roberts