“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14
The Newborn King
Sports rivals disagree about many things and often argue about who is the greatest. Though we disagree about many things and sometimes focus too much energy on one-upmanship, the birth of a child is an opportunity to be unified in celebration.
When babies are born, they change everything. The excitement builds higher and higher as we wait for the time of birth. Baby showers are fun times for family and friends. The nesting instinct kicks in as the baby’s room is prepared with a baby bed, changing table and all kinds of nice things. The family prepares for waking up in the middle of the night, changing lots of diapers and loud crying, but also so much happiness. Babies enrich our lives in so many ways.
When Jesus was born, He cried like other babies and needed His diaper changed regularly. He cooed, laughed and learned sounds before He started saying words. Though He had two eyes, two ears, 10 fingers and 10 toes like other children, Jesus was a baby like no other. His mother, Mary, held a little one from the royal tribe of David. The tribe of Judah was part of God’s long-term plan to bring Jesus into the world (Genesis 49:10).
Therefore, David wrote about conversations between God the Father and God the Son before Jesus was born: “The Lord said to my Lord, sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool” (Psalm 110:1). When Jesus grew up and started His ministry, He explained this verse as referring to Him. Jesus existed before He was born in the manger: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2). The Son of God is equal to the Heavenly Father and was there before the world began. So Jesus lived in a human body but he was not created. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
This descendant of David is greater than all. Jesus is the King above all other kings who is worthy of all of our worship and praise. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17). God’s Kingdom is a spiritual kingdom which lasts forever and doesn’t rise and fall like earthly rulers. Jesus is “Lord of lords and King of kings.”
Since Jesus is far greater than any other, we do well when we bow before the Newborn King. Let us worship and adore Him both now and forever.
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Ga.
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