Don’t Leave Jesus in the Manger

Jesus was born of a virgin in a manger in Bethlehem. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the King. It was indeed a miraculous event as Jesus entered our world as one of us. With one exception – he was God’s son and came that we might be redeemed from our sins. But too often we leave Jesus in Bethlehem. To me, that’s like going to a theatrical presentation and leaving after the first act. But there is more.

Act I – Jesus Was Born and Lived Among Us

Jesus’ birth is well-documented in the Gospels.  The star appeared, Angels visited the shepherds in the fields, the wise men followed the star to find Jesus.  On the eighth day, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple for purification. While there, Simeon and Anna appeared and testified of the fulfillment of prophecy in the birth of Jesus. This, we are told, amazed Mary and Joseph. But I think it likely confirmed or reminded them of who Jesus was.

We know that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus later fled to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod, who was intent on killing the “imposter” to his throne. In order to accomplish this, several miracles occurred. The wise men were warned in a dream, and went back another way, rather than reporting to Herod. Joseph had a dream where an angel appeared and warned him to “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” (Matthew 2:13 NASB)

We are told that, upon returning to Nazareth, Jesus continued to grow and became strong, increasing in wisdom. Jesus was known as a carpenter, so it is likely that he worked with Joseph in the shop. God’s favor on Him was said to be evident. 

At the age of 12, Jesus went to the Feast of the Passover with his earthly parents. Mary And Joseph lost him and finally found Him in the Temple, listening to the teachers and asking them questions. Mary scolded him, but He replied “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” (Luke 2:50 NASB). He was aware of who He was and of His mission on earth.

Beyond that, we know little of Jesus’ first 30 years on earth.  I think there are a couple of reasons for this. First, priests officially entered service at age 30  (Numbers 4:3). So, he was keeping with tradition. Secondly, I think Jesus used this time to “be one of us,” to experience life as a human being, having human feelings and emotions.

To leave Jesus in His youth, we are missing the rest of the play. If we don’t stay for the ending, we are not receiving the fullness of Jesus and will celebrate only His birth. 

Act II Jesus’ Ministry and Crucifixion 

Jesus’ ministry was controversial to say the least. While He healed the sick and performed other signs and wonders, this was not His primary purpose. He came to preach the Truth. Jesus is the Truth. As we read in John 8:32 (NASB) “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Healing and other miracles were good things, but if these recipients rejected the gospel, they were not done any ultimate good. One might think that He did these as attention getters. “See, I am the Son of God and I can do great things.” But that is not the case. He frequently told those who were healed to tell no one about it. I think this was because the news would spread of his ability to perform miracles and hinder His gospel ministry, the primary reason for coming to earth. The focus was the healing ministry of salvation. Obviously, word spread about these miracles, and his compassion compelled Him to help people.

Jesus’ focus on earth was the teaching of the disciples, so that His message would live on. In John 17 where Jesus prayed His high priestly prayer, he prayed, “Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word (vv. 17-20 NASB). Shortly thereafter, He was crucified. But three days later, he arose again, an event we celebrate each year. 

But if you leave Jesus here, you will miss the grand finale of our play.

Act III – The Ascension and Exaltation

After His resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days on earth, making appearances to a number of His followers. He was using this time to encourage those who were already “His,” not an attempt to convert more to the truth of the gospel. At the end of 40 days, he visibly ascended into heaven. After He ascended, the disciples were “gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, and they said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’” (Acts 1:10-11 NASB). 

Jesus’ ministry did not end with his ascension. The disciples returned to Jerusalem, probably a little bewildered. They, along with others, retreated to the upper room, devoting themselves to prayer. 

Suddenly, something Jesus told His followers would happen came to fruition – the helper Jesus promised came to them in the form of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had ascended into Heaven, and took His place at the right hand of God. As Paul records in Phillippians 2:5-11 “Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus will return again as an exalted, conquering hero – Lord of the earth.”

That is the grand finale of our play. We could say there is an encore that is still in progress. You can join Jesus Christ in Heaven for all eternity. Are you ready to welcome the Lord at His return in all His glory?