The story of Jesus is a story about the love of God. It is a story with a magnificent beginning, climactic middle, and fulfilling end. It begins at a stable in a little town called Bethlehem:
“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, o be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”-Luke 2:4-7
As I reflected on this passage, I realized that the story of God’s love for us would not have been complete if Jesus had not occupied the manger. Without Jesus, the manger is nothing but a feeding trough. It has no meaning, no symbolism, and no message. It is like an empty jar, it was created to hold something, but the value and purpose of the vessel is not fully realized until it is occupied.
The story of Christ’s birth is bathed in the love of God. 1 John 4:9 declares: “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” This foundational passage point to God’s ultimate motivation for sending Jesus. His love for us! And that love is why Jesus occupied the manger. Sending Jesus was God’s way of physically demonstrating His love for you and I.
As we reach the climactic middle of the story of God’s love for us, we are faced with a much more ominous image; the cross! However, the story of God’s love for us in not complete unless Jesus occupies the cross. Without Jesus, the cross is nothing more than two beams lashed together. It has no meaning, no message! The cross, however, became a beacon of faith, peace, and hope because Jesus was willing to occupy it. Jesus transformed a Roman instrument of torture and death into a message of hope, redemption, and love demonstrating from John 15:13:
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
God’s love for us is seen in Christ’s willingness to take upon Himself the penalty of our sinful condition. However, the story of God’s love for us does not reach it’s ultimate conclusion until the love of Jesus occupies our heart!
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”-Ephesians 3:17-19
Without Jesus occupying our hearts; our lives lack the meaning and message God intends to communicate to the world. We are the living message of God’s love. Unlike the manger and the cross which have both been long laid empty, Jesus still occupies hearts today! More important than Jesus occupying the manger or the cross, is that you allow Jesus to occupy your heart. You can do that by receiving Him by faith:
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”-Romans 10:9
Let God begin writing a new chapter of your life this Christmas by placing your faith in Jesus and allow the love of God to occupy your heart.
Pastor Scott Burr
Dayspring Community Church
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