John 19:5-19, Merry Christmas

Let us take this special day to consider the “Male Child” of Israel, who (is) to rule all nations with a rod of iron (Rev. 12:5).  The Revelation refers to Christ in this way to remind us that the One on whose shoulders the government of Israel shall rest (Isa. 9:6-7) is Immanuel, the Son of the virgin (Isa. 7:14).  

Perhaps nothing looks kingly than the Baby in the manger.  How weak, helpless, humble!  I say perhaps.  Perhaps the image of the Savior, bloodied from the thorny crown, humiliatingly paraded before the mob in the purple robe, just might exceed the manger in terms of the lack of kingly majesty.  

And yet there He stands.  And Pilate brings to their minds and hearts, for one last time, the truth of the manger and the truth of His earthly life and ministry:

Behold the Man!

Behold your King!

Remember the words of Gabriel to Mary:

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.  (Luke 2:31)  BEHOLD THE MAN!

He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.  (Luke 2:33)  BEHOLD YOUR KING!

Hard to believe?  Perhaps.  But at the beginning those around the Baby are filled with hope.  We are always optimistic that our infant will someday make a difference.  He will be admired, thought to be special.  But to live into adulthood only to be presented as the epitome of a pathetic loser is sad to the few that might still love Him.  We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel (Luke 24:21).  And yet, as our Lord Himself said, Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’?  But for this purpose I came to this hour.  (John 12:27)  Many in this world stumble over the Messiah who came to die.  But for Christians there is no hope unless the Messiah confronts death at the cross and then defeats it in His resurrection.  

May the merriment of your Christmas be meaningful!  In it all,

BEHOLD THE MAN!                           BEHOLD YOUR KING!

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”