It's Thursday morning, and my munchkins are still sleeping. Its raining outside...the coffee pot is brewing. A warm blanket and some time to myself to read my Bible. I've been reading in the book of John and have come to the Crucifixion. This part is always hard for me to read. Its an account of torture....torture and ultimate death that happened...because of me. Thank the Lord it also includes resurrection because even though death is involved, life prevails.
The last week, my kids have been working through the book of Luke...and Jesus birth. Two opposite ends of the spectrum: Jesus birth and Jesus death. I have been sitting and pondering His life....the beginning and end and was struck by something. I was struck by the humbleness of it all.
Jesus was born in a stable (which by historical account was actually a cave). His parents were poor...His mama had no pre-natal care....no epidural....no mid-wife....and did not hit any sales on baby clothes at The Children's Place.....or even Walmart. Strips of cloth...the only thing available...were the first things to cloth Jesus. He had no Huggies diaper's. Wipees were still a thing of the future. Chances are Jesus didn't smell like cucumber and melons or lavender. There was no micro-fiber baby blanket either.... As His parents were poor they couldn't afford anything. Jesus was swaddled with rags and probably wrapped only in the loving arms of His parents and cloaks. He was loved, however, He was cherished.
God, because He was Jesus Father, saw it fit to place Jesus in the arms of a "single" mother. Now, she wasn't really a single mom....she was married to Joseph. She had a husband, but he was not Jesus biological father. Did Joseph love Jesus like his own? Probably. But, Jesus had a step-dad. And...Jesus father, God, loved Him beyond comprehension...and didn't leave Him. But for earthly purpose, Jesus had an earthly step-dad. Using earthly eyes, Jesus was born into a less than desirable situation (and I am sure many gossiped about Mary, Joseph and Jesus). Mary and her "illegitimate" son. Mary, a teen mom. Joseph...who didn't stone her when given the opportunity...really must have a part in Mary's "sin". People have always thrown stones, and I am sure many were thrown at Jesus' young, small family.
Because I am reading the Crucifixion account my next thoughts fly to Jesus death. Jesus death was also wrought with controversy and gossip. Jesus death was beyond humiliating.....
The torture Jesus endured was beyond comprehension. I can't fathom what it must have been like. Jesus death wasn't by simple injection or a quick gun shot wound to the head. Jesus death was drawn out, painful, bloody, and disgusting. He had a crown made of thorns thrust upon His head. These thorns weren't little either. These thorns, like little knives, were pushed with force, down upon His skull. Jesus was beaten...and not a small beating. He was beaten with his hands tied to a post....his upper garments removed and a whip tied with small bits of sharp bone and rocks. The Jewish law at that time allowed for up to 40 lashes with a scourge (cat of nine tails as it's sometimes called). A wooden cross was made (in which Jesus was forced to carry himself until physically unable)... Golgotha, The Place of the Skull, Jesus was stripped, naked. In pictures depicting the Crucifixion, it prudently shows Jesus wearing a loin cloth. In John 19:23, it states the soldiers took Jesus clothes, including His under garments. He was nailed to a wooden beam, naked. This picture is gruesome and difficult to think about. But, it is eye witness account of what Jesus endured. It is an account of Jesus earthly death. A little less than beautiful....
Jesus life. Humble. By earthly standards, difficult. He's been there. He knows what its like to be hated for something He didn't do. He's been gossiped about...He's been slandered. He's been "without" (by earthly standards). He was considered monetarily poor. He had a step dad. He didn't have the "latest and greatest". He's been humiliated in the worst possible way. He's been betrayed. He's endured. He's been there. He knows and He understands.
Jesus endured so He could wrap His arms around you. He endured so He could walk in the shoes you walk in. He understands everything you will go through in this life. HE'S BEEN THERE. There's nothing you will endure in life that Jesus didn't also endure. And....because he was resurrected, He is now alive to walk through it with you. He provides strength and understanding and a way through every difficulty.
So, why do I sweat the small stuff? My kids don't wear Gap....so what, neither did Jesus. I heard someone gossip my name.....ya, it happened to Jesus too. I live in a little house (which I do in fact like)......but Jesus was born in a cave. It's good knowing my Savior has "been there" and knows exactly what it feels like to be me. He's gone before me....created me.....and he's saved me. What else could I ask for?
Amen and Amen!
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