From The Manger To The Cross

"FROM THE MANGER TO THE CROSS"

LUKE 2:7

INTRODUCTION: WHILE IT IS NOT ALWAYS TURE, THERE ARE INSTANCES WHERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF YOUR CHILDHOOD SHAPES YOUR DIRECTION. AND THERE ARE INSTANCES WHEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO OTHERS SEEEM TO DICTATE FAILURE OR SUCCESS. WE HAVE HEARD SO MANY TIMES WHERE A CHILD IS BORN OR RAISED GIVES HIM AN ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE. BUT IF GOD CHOOSE THE PLACE WHERE THE BIRTH OCCURS AND IF GOD IS ALLOWED TO DICTATE THE CHILD’S LIFE, AND THE PARENTS ARE OBEDIENT TO THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, EVERYTHING WORKS OUT JUST RIGHT.

AS WE LOOK AT THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST WAS NOT A NORMAL OR DESIRED SITUATION. NO MOTHER WANTS HER CHILD TO BE BORN IN A STABLE, WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES, AND LAID IN A MANGER. WHICH IS A FEEDING TROUGH FOR ANIMALS OR LIVESTOCK. BUT YET THE TEXT TELLS US THAT THIS IS THE SITUATION AND CIRCUMSTANCES THAT GOD CHOSE FOR JESUS TO BEGIN HIS LIFE AND PURPOSE. THIS WAS NO ACCIDENT, BUT GOD’S PLAN. GOD HAD LONG BEFORE LAID THE GROUND WORK FOR THESE EVENTS TO TAKE PLACE.

(1) HIS BIRTH HAD BEEN PROMISED TO ABE, ISAC, AND JACOB.

(2) HIS COMING AND PURPOSE HAD BEEN ENVISIONED BY ISAC. AND OTHER PROPHETS.

(3) HIS ARRIVAL HAD BEEN ANNOUNCED BY AN ANGEL.

(4) THE PLACE OF HIS BIRTH HAD BEEN MARKED BY A GUIDING STAR.

THIS WAS NO ACCIDENT, BUT GOD’S PLAN. AND IT HAD A GREAT MEANING FOR US!

WHAT WAS THE MEANING? LET US LOOK AT SOME OTHERS: AND THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES.

(1) MOSES: BORN IN A PERIOD OF PERSECUTION A FEAR, HIDDEN FROM CERTAIN DEATH, PLACED IN A BASKET AND LEFT TO FLOAT DOWN THE RIVER NILE. HE CAN KEEP US IN HARD AND TROUBLESOME TIMES. HE CAN HIDE US FROM OUR ENEMIES.

(2) SAMUEL: THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS CHILDHOOD, SHOW A LIFE DEDICATED EARLY TO THE SERVICE OF THE LORD.

THE TEXT SAYS JESUS WAS BORN IN A LOWLY CIRCUMSTANCE WHAT COULD BE THE MEANING?

(1)THE MANGER SYMBOLIZED HOMELESSNESS: THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE WITHOUT A HOME. (THANKFUL TO DAY).

"FOXES HAVE HOLES AND BIRDS HAVE NESTS, BUT THE SON OF MAN HATH NO PLACE TO LAY HIS HEAD".

(2) THE MANGER SYMBOLIZED HIS CONCERN FOR THE POOR AND REJECTED: THIS CHILD WOULD BRING GOOD NEWS TO THOSE WHO WERE POOR MATERNALY AND SPIRITUALLY. HE WOULD LATER SAY "HE HAS ANNOITED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL, TO THE POOR, TO SET THE CAPTIVES FREE AND DECLARE THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD".

(3) THIS MANGER SYMBOLIZED HIS CONCERN FOR THE HUNGRY, SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY: HE FEED THOUSANDS PHYSICALLY AND THE WHOLE WORLD IF ACCEPTED SPIRITUALLY

WHAT BEGAN IN A WOODEN MANGER AS A SIGN OF GOD’S LOVE FOR MANKIND ENDED ON A WODDEN CROSS.

BUT BETWEEN THE MANGER AND THE CROSS HE LEFT HIS MARK ON MANKIND. EVERY CHRISTMAS AND EASTER I AM MORE REMINDED WHAT IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE JESUS SO LOVED YOU AND I THAT HE DIED.

THE GREATEST GIFT WAS WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES LAID IN A MANGER BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ROOM OR PLACE FOR THEM IN THE INN.

IS THERE ANY ROOM IN YOUR HEART OR HOME?

HAVE YOU MADE [REPARATION FOR HIM?