Luke 2
I Am One of You!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Saturday, May 9.
The classic Christmas story begins with a worldly power play, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered” (Luke 2:1).
From the very beginning of the Christmas story is the juxtaposition between God’s way of showing His greatness and how people of the world attempt to show their power.
The world leader, Caesar Augustus, wants everyone to see his greatness so he orders a census of all the people under his control. Caesar, acting as a sovereign over the Roman Empire, disrupts the lives of so many so that he can show himself greater than all under his authority. Essentially, the world’s way is to say, “I am better than you… and I’ll prove it to you…just watch me!”
God, the true Sovereign, demonstrates His greatness in Luke 2 not by setting Himself apart from His people, but by saying, “I am willing to become one of you!” The incarnation is the visible expression of God’s greatness! Jesus meekly left Heaven and came to earth to show us the way back to Father (Philippians 2:5-11). Jesus came not to tear us down, but to elevate us (Ephesians 2:6-7) by saying “I am with you!” and even more radically, “I am one of you!”
While Caesar was busy showing the world how great he was by counting all of his people, God was showing His greatness by becoming one of His people. Emmanuel—God is with us!
Seize the moment and follow the way of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to save people and build them up with His words and actions. Jesus came from Heaven to earth to serve you, how far are you willing to go to help someone else in their needs?
FBC wants to help you in practical ways, so please dial the phone number below if you would like someone to call you today. We are praying for you!