“The Eternal Kingdom of God”

Luke 2

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Kingdoms rise and wane, But there is only one Kingdom that will remain forever. Even the kingdom of the Romans finally came to an end. Hitler thought that his kingdom of the Third Reich will remain for a thousand years, but God demolished it in only a few years.

I once went to a doctor and he asked me if I drank alcohol or cofee or if I smoked. I replied, “no”. He said that is the most important questions to determine one’s health.

It is amazing these days that medical science actually found that up to eight cups of coffee per day is actually beneficial to your health. Well, even medical science is fickle and changeable.

Another factor in one’s physical health is being hygienic, e.g. Washing one’s hands under running water, etc. These were all factors that caused the mortality rate to drop drastically in civilised nations.

We saw yesterday how that Mary and Joseph travelled that long journey to Bethlehem and on arrival there was no room in the Inn. They had to stay in the cattle shed where also the Child was born.

The whole earth belongs to the Lord, God Almighty, yet He was born in a lowly manger in the cattle shed. There was Ceasar’s palace with its pomp and riches, yet the King of kings was born in a manger among the cattle.

Luther once said, “if he should get to heaven and look at the streets of gold and be told that Jesus is not there but in hell, I would make haste to get out of heaven and go to hell, for wherever Jesus is is heaven.”

Imagine that God Almighty is so big, the heavens cannot contain Him and the earth is but His footstool, yet He came into this world in such a lowly manner.

Which of the two amazes us more, His greatness or His lowliness. He Who owns everything we find lying in a manger absolutely poor. The One so Mighty and Great becomes so small and tiny as a baby. This Child is from Heaven, God manifested in the flesh.

He is so holy that no human being can look upon Him and live, yet here He humbled Himself to become a baby, and be nursed by Mary. The Eternal Great and Lofty God, now made Himself so small and lowly.

He did it so that the lowliest of persons, from whatever background, can embrace this Saviour and make Him their own.

A man came to me and said, “preacher, this day I want to confess and turn from my sins. This day I embrace my Saviour and enter into Heaven”. Whence came his assurance. From this lowly Child lying in a manger.

Nothing should be more important to you than this matter of your Saviour who has come into this world to save you from your sins.