Saturday, December 17

THE DESTINATION IN VIEW

Micah 5:2

As a truck driver, I can fully appreciate the "destination in view." After a long trip, and all the many situations that arise, both good and bad, it’s always good to see your destination. Many times that destination can be seen before you actually arrive. People give me directions that involve a big building or water tower—some things to use as a landmark to help guide me. Sometimes I deliver at construction sites, and I can see a crane from a block away, so I can know that I am close.

Well, the Bible is no different. Long before Christ arrived at the stable, His destination was in view. It was no surprise to these looking for Christ. Certainly that is true for the writers of the Old Testament. The prophet Micah foresaw that destination as being Bethlehem. Bethlehem—the very name speaks of something special. There are many great cities that are known throughout the world—New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, London, etc. All are known for something special, even if it is not so good. Bethlehem is not known for it’s size, wealth, industry, or, as some, it’s party life or crime. No, it is known for one thing, 2000 years ago a baby was born in a stable there. You would think that God would choose some grand location for the birth of His son. But, instead He chose, as Micah said, the "littlest among thousands of Judah." Certainly, it is the last place you would expect to see a king born. His kingship was not based on grandeur, but solely on humility. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, Chapter 2:8, he says, "being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even death on the cross." In order to humble Himself, He was at a different place to start with. Let’s remember where that was. You see, Christ did not start as a baby in a stable. He came down from a place of Lordship in heaven. His life on earth was not to earn a place in heaven; His humility on earth earned Him only one thing: fellowship with His people. It was all for us, and it started in Bethlehem, in true humility.

True humility is pouring out our lives for others, solely for their edification. Many people do "so-called" humble things for others only to get a good feeling or notoriety. I think of many politicians who show up at shelters to help serve food. Of course, there just happens to be lots of cameras around so they can get on the 6 o’clock news. That’s not humility, that’s pride. Nowhere in the Bible are we instructed to be proud of ourselves. On the contrary, James 4:6 says, "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."

The Bible makes clear our destination. It is a place of humility at the Cross of Christ. Just like Christ did not need to borrow glory from the town He was born in, but brought His glory to it, so He doesn’t need any of our glory, either. Luke 14:11 says, "for whosever exalts himself shall be abased and he that humbles himself shall be exalted." Do you see it; there up ahead—it sticks out like a huge building—humility, it is our destination.

~ Jim Frantz