The Miracle (Day 9)
The Christmas season is a representation of not just one miracle but of many. To even think that our God came to us in the form of a human baby is still unfathomable. Every part of the life of Jesus was a miracle. His
birth was a miracle, his life and ministry was surrounded by miracles and his death and resurrection was a miracle.I want to focus on a specific miracle that is mentioned in Luke chapter two. Before we dive into that I
want to briefly tell you about a trip that I took to Israel.
While we toured Israel and the surrounding areas, there were many things that stood out to me. The Land, the culture, the history and the people all point to Jesus. It seemed so obvious to me that it was frustrating me that the people who inhabit the land couldn’t see what was right in front of them. When we were on a tour under the western wall in Jerusalem, the religious Jewish guide was explaining how there is an underground aqueduct that flows from Bethlehem to Jerusalem still to this day. She explained that when the temple was in its prime time they used this water (that flowed from Bethlehem) to wash the blood of the sacrificial offerings off of the temple mound. This is just one example, and there is so much more symbolism that all points to Jesus.
In Luke 2:8-12 TPT it says, 8That night, in a field 9Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! 10But the
angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid, for I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere! 11For today in Bethlehem a rescuer was born for
you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah. 12You will recognize him by this miraculous sign: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in the feeding trough!”
I know you have all probably heard or read this passage of scripture before, but I would like to point out a few things. One thing I personally didn’t understand was why seeing Jesus wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough lined with hay was a miraculous sign. Sure it might be miraculous for an angel to tell you something and then you actually see it. It just didn’t click with me until I learned about a few things in Hebrew culture. The passover feast is a huge feast in Jewish culture representing how God spared His people and rescued them out of slavery. They were supposed to put the blood of a 1 year old spotless lamb on their door frame so God would passover their household and spare their first born son (found in Exodus 12). Something interesting that I have learned is that Bethlehem was the place where the lambs were raised and herded. When they chose the passover lamb they would wrap it in strips of cloth and lay it in a feeding trough lined with hay so it wouldn’t damage or bruise itself when attempting to get free. So when the shepherds knowing how the lambs were handled for this Jewish feast saw Jesus laying there in this same way it was absolutely a miracle. They saw the person that was going to save their people.
God is so intentional. He is the most intentional being ever. Sometimes we miss miracles because we are focused on the wrong thing. I heard someone say recently that we can get so caught up in obeying Him in one specific thing He said that we can stop listening or paying attention to Him. When we get caught up in doing stuff for Him we could miss what He is saying or doing right in front of us. Let’s be attentive to all the the Lord is saying and not miss out on witnessing or being a part of the miracles this Christmas season.