Fooled by Appearances

Everyone knows appearances can be deceiving, yet we have all, at one time or another, been fooled. And it happened even in the Bible. Take for instance David, the shepherd boy. Who would ever think that an uneducated, insignificant shepherd would become the great king of Israel? And then there’s Daniel, the Jewish teenager, who was dragged to Babylon as a captive, only to become advisor to the most powerful rulers of the then known world. And Rahab, the harlot, who became part of the lineage of Jesus.

But the best example is God Himself who came down to earth as Emanuel in the form of a helpless baby, born in a smelly stable, and who lived the life of a humble carpenter before beginning the greatest ministry of all times, that of reconciling man to God; and changed the world forever. Many were fooled then, too, and couldn’t believe that such a thing was possible. Even Nathanael, one of the twelve apostles, when first hearing of Jesus said, “”Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46).  And people are still being fooled today.

As Christians decorate their trees, buy presents, and display nativity scenes to celebrate the birth of Jesus, many others still can’t comprehend that this so called “good man” was in reality the Creator of all, the God of the Universe, the Commander of the Hosts, the One who brought everything into existence with just His spoken word. His having been clothed in the body of a baby fools them. So does the humble way He worked as a carpenter. And they still don’t understand that the reason Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice of forfeiting His life was so that we could have a hope and a future, not only in the present but for all eternity.

As we prepare the room of the inn of our hearts to receive Him, once again, this season, and throughout the New Year, let’s remember and pray for those we know who have yet to receive the King of Glory into their own hearts. Who have yet to receive the God who loves them more than they could ever imagine.

Until next time,

Sylvia