(Part 1 of 2)
“I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”-Luke 2:30-35
Simeon’s prophecy was one of wonder and one of worry. It describes how Jesus would be the light and glory of Israel, but it also describes the tumultuous life Jesus would live causing the rise and fall of many. Moreover, it describes the opposition that He would face and how the final events of Jesus’ life would pierce Mary’s soul.
As I read this passage, I was reminded that there was a cost associated with Jesus’ coming. Of course, we all are well aware of the cost associated with Christmas. I was reading some statistics about what Christmas costs the average family and found out that the average family spends an average of $800 on gifts and 42 hours shopping and attending holiday get togethers. For the most part what Christmas costs us can be categorized into financial expenditures, time and energy.
However, if Christmas looked more like Jesus, what would the cost be? That begs the question, what did it cost Jesus?
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”-Philippians 2:5-8
Coming to earth cost Jesus His comfort and privilege. Jesus gave up His divine privileges in heaven to put on flesh, come to live as a servant, and die a criminal’s death. He, literally, gave up everything that we are striving to attain to come down and take the penalty of our sin upon Himself. Jesus thrust Himself out of His comfort zone, knowing full well what it would cost Him.
Christmas was never designed to be comfortable. Let’s be honest, we attempt to romanticize the events surrounding the nativity to feel as cozy and comfortable as possible. The harsh reality, however, is that His exodus from heaven to earth was not an easy journey. Yet, He chose still to come. I wonder how many of us would continue to celebrate Christmas, if it truly costs us our comfort?
If that wasn’t enough, the cost of His coming to earth would also tax His reputation:
“For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”-Matthew 11:18-19
Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is mocked and opposed, primarily by religious leaders. He is accused of being a glutton and drunkard. He is called a friend of sinners and in Matthew 2:24 is accused of deriving His power to do miracles from Satan.
This type of an attack would cripple many of us. We are so approval driven in our culture that this sort of abasement would have caused us to question our faith or, at the least, back away from it so as not to draw attention to ourselves. What if Christmas cost you your reputation? Would you still celebrate it?
Pastor Scott Burr
Dayspring Community Church
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