Saturday, October 21, 2017

October 21, 2017


Wrapped in a Manger


“…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn.”  Lk. 2:7

So much of the gospel message appears to be upside-down from what we would think.  The same is true of the gospel’s messenger, Jesus.  His arrival, life, ministry, crucifixion and resurrection leave us with lots of questions.  We have the benefit of the Bible to serve as a backdrop against which we gain a better understanding. 

This passage in Luke exemplifies this kind of inside-out, paradox-filled gospel.  Mary gives birth to Jesus, wraps Him up with some cloths and places Him in a manger, as there was no place for the family inside the inn.  Later, in Lk. 2:12, we read that this was in fact a sign to the shepherds – they would find the Messiah when they found a baby wrapped up in cloths and in a manger.

It is significant that a manger was a feeding trough.  It was used to feed the animals in a stable and was typically made of stone, straw, clay and mud.  It is nothing like the mangers we see in Christmas decorations.  That is the paradox: the One who was to occupy the throne of David was first placed in a feeding trough for animals.  It was a royalty in humility (or humiliation) type of Kingdom inauguration.  We are thankful it didn’t stop the shepherds from finding the baby and praising God for the arrival of the Messiah.  What He was placed in upon His arrival apparently didn’t matter. 

The paradox of Jesus did not stop with His birthplace.  It continued through His life and death and yes, His resurrection.  Great and grand themes like weakness and strength were forged from the feeding trough.  Jesus was crucified in weakness; the enemy thought he had won.  People didn’t know what to make of the death of Jesus.  Out of all that weakness came tremendous strength, including the strength of His resurrection.  May we recognize the paradox and praise God for what He has done for us.

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