By Connie S. Arnold
By now, I would guess that everyone is aware of Dr. David Jeremiah’s new docudrama entitled, “Why The Nativity?” Whether we viewed it as one continual presentation or saw it in three parts, all of our questions have been answered.
Now we can discuss its impact on us. What part did you find most inspiring? The scenes looked authentic for the time period in history; costumes seemed to be on target as far as we know. And we can all agree that the child the Magi saw as a toddler was totally adorable, but what will we remember when July rolls around.
I will remember the man hanging on the cross. He was not an old, worn-out man, but a man that looked capable of remaining on this earth to extend the work God had assigned him to do. When He looked out at the crowd from His cross, did He long for more time to reach more people?
The natural desire to avoid the suffering to come pictured His humanity. In the Garden of Gethsemane when He fell on His face and prayed, “Father if you are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not my will, but yours be done,” (Luke 22:42, NIV), could He have wanted just a little more time with His disciples. One more attempt at Judas; time again to bolster Peter’s courage? But it was time, and He surrendered His will to the Father’s will. Anything we might be asked to surrender pales into wispy nothingness in comparison.
In giving up His earthly existence He was placing complete trust in the One who sent Him. Though His heart may have been heavy to leave His earthly companions, He took His hands off in surrender. He knew if He didn’t go away the Comforter wouldn’t come. His earthly body was limited, but there was One who could come and abide within each individual and never have to leave. His promise to his followers before He left was, “And I will pray to the Father, and he shall give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-” (John 14:16, NKJV).
The closest we can compare in understanding is the letting go of our own children. There comes a time when we must release them to our Father. Our hands-on time of teaching them on earth must stop for them to become dependent on their Creator. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it,” (Proverbs 22:6, NKJV).
Jesus settled the question of total obedience to God the Father in the Garden. His body was sacrificed while He was strong and able bodied. He was the Perfect Lamb of God without spot or blemish.
Why The Nativity? It was to prepare the One perfect enough to offer to God for the sins of the world. It was for our redemption.
CSA__________
Riches of Heaven 