The Birth of Jesus – A New Era of Righteousness
Jesus came in the world and was laid in a trough used for barn animals. He left the world hung on a cross for criminals. Who would have thought he would have been the one to save the world?
Mostly every American knows how Jesus was born because even if they have never picked up a Bible, they have come across a nativity scene at least once in their life showing Jesus laying in a manger surrounded by Mary and Joseph, barn animals, and of course, the three wise men. But what most don’t understand is how the situation of Jesus’ birth was significant.
Many could think a beginning like his could never see the light of day for a glorious end. In those days, the Jews believed only those born within the community of faith could be declared righteous given that the males were circumcised. But Gentiles, or people not coming from the lineage of Abraham could be considered merely logs for the Day of Judgment, not withstanding a blink of hope for salvation.
However, Jesus came to bring a new righteousness, not one based on just blood lineage or by merits but by faith in Jesus Christ.
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Apostle Paul explains it clearly in Romans 3:21-24:
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes from faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Throughout Jesus’ life, he didn’t have much to boast about. His birth was pitiable, not to mention tragic in a sense. None of the chosen people who were chosen by God for the very purpose of receiving him were present to greet him. There were three wise men who came searching for him but where was everyone else? He was born being chased by the possibility of death since King Herod had heard of his birth and had intentions of killing him. And things didn’t change that much when he got older. For his occupation, he was simply a carpenter, not any prominent position or a candidate to become one of the Pharisees.
Yet today, many knees have bowed at the sound of his name and even those who have not yet accepted him know about him.
How did that happen?
It wasn’t what Jesus had in terms of outward appearances that elevated him to that position. But all his authority came from the Word of God spoken through him. He was bringing a new righteousness, allowing someone who wasn’t born a Jew, someone who wasn’t circumcised, someone who did not have that coveted lineage to still be welcomed in God’s embrace. Although there was the law taught in the Old Testament, Jesus was bringing a greater law, the law of love.
Jesus knew what it felt like to be marginalized and on the low end even from his birth. Even though he was in “very nature God” as Apostle Paul described in Philippians, he was “made in human likeness” as he “took the very nature of a servant.” His birth reflected the humility in his life. Jesus served us from his heart, pouring all the love from God to us. He gave us all he had and through the same humility with which he came into the world, he was able to be “obedient” even to “death on a cross.”
So, while it may seem both his beginning and end was a whisper in worldly standards, it is a celebration among his followers.
The cross was once was a symbol of curse and shame but became a pride to Christians since Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is what saved us from our sinful fate. And while his birth may not have been a glorious beginning for the Savior of the world, it was an end to an era of law and the beginning to the era of the Gospel and love.
Let us rejoice this Christmas and give thanks to God for sending us His precious Son, through whom we have gained access into the holy place.
