Читать книгу Miracles Beyond Our Comprehension - A. M. Deigloriam - Страница 8

Jesus the son of God was born not as a king with pomp and circumstances but in poverty and as an outcast of men. He was born in a manger for cattle and was wrapped in swaddling clothes (rags). Jesus would live in poverty for his entire life and would never be rich in material goods. God provided Jesus with his daily needs for shelter, food and clothing. Jesus told his disciples in Luke 9:58, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. We need to remember that Gods’ riches are not material riches.

Jesus was born in the small village of Bethlehem and not in Jerusalem. The wise men first traveled to Jerusalem thinking a king that would restore the kingdom of David would certainly be born in Jerusalem where the temple was located. He came into the world in love and in willing obedience to God. He was born of flesh, like any other man so that he may bore the sin of the flesh and died on the cross.

Jesus was born as an outcast and would remain an outcast his entire life. His life was in danger soon after his birth in the small village of Bethlehem. King Herod after hearing of the prophecy of a new king and the birth sent out soldiers to kill the baby Jesus. Even today people reject Jesus and consider him to be a threat and an outcast.

Jesus was born of Mary a virgin and was God in flesh. Due to the fact that Jesus was the first born he was to be consecrated to God and was to be devoted to the service of God in the temple. However, Jesus was the first born of God and Mary and would be devoted to being the Savior of the world.

God could have allowed Jesus to be born in a mansion with great wealth and many servants befitting a king. Why would God allow his only begotten son not only be born in a shed for cattle but in poverty as well and in danger of being slain by Herod?

The birth of Jesus and the status of his birth are directly related to the requirements needed to fulfill God promises to mankind. God’s example to us is the life of Jesus. A man who’s only purpose in life was to fulfill God’s plan that would provide eternal life for his chosen people that believe him and obey his commandments.

Luke 16:19-24 reads, “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of scores. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angel into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this fame.”

We need to show respect to all men regardless of their wealth or standing in society. We honor them because their souls are of more value than all the wealth in the world. This rich man walked by this beggar at his gate each day and only offered crumbs off his table. This beggar was created in God’s image and was dependent on others for love. John 13: 34-35 reads, A new commandment I give unto you. That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Isaiah 8:13 reads, Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

We fear an all-powerful God that allows us to take each breath and requires us to love one another and obey his commandments.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 reads, Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

With wealth comes great responsibility. Those that have been blessed with wealth must share that wealth generously with the poor. There is a callous attitude among some that wealth is a sign of God’s favor and that the poor have done something to deserve their condition. 1 John 3:17 reads, But whose hath this worlds good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Wealth is not given for the purpose building mansions, purchasing expensive cars or expensive works of art, but for the purpose of serving the poor and providing for those that are in need. God will severely judge those with wealth that do not provide for the poor and do not show his love for their neighbors.

Jesus did not declare wealth a sign of God’s favor or that poverty is God’s punishment for doing something wrong. Jesus saw wealth as a gift that should be used to help the poor and to show God’s love.