LOVE OVERCOMES DISTANCE –
THE PHYSICAL DISTANCE
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Matthew 2:1-2 |
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Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.” KJV |
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” NIV |
The distance the wise men came for Him, was no distance when compared with the distance He came for them who had given them the Wisdom and Grace to come. They travelled dusty, dangerous and darkened paths. They knew heat and thirst and weariness. They left the comfort of home and friends and familiar surroundings. They came to where He was, who had first come to where they were.
| · They came from east to west. |
· He came from eternity to time. |
| · Their coming took human effort. |
· His coming was a Divine miracle. |
| · They travelled many miles. |
· He travelled infinite light years. |
| · Their coming was great. |
· His coming was infinite. |
| · They gave their best. |
· He gave His all. |
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· Their giving revealed the overflowing hearts of finite men who loved. |
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· His giving revealed the bursting forth of the infinite heart of God who is Love! |
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From Herod’s palace to Bethlehem’s manger seems a long and humbling path. From the place of honour among men to the place of dishonour among beasts came the Lamb of God. It was here that the shepherds of Bethlehem would find the Shepherd of Israel.
It was here that they who gave the best of their flock for sacrifice came to view God’s Lamb who would be the fulfilment and the end of all sacrifices.
How far did He come, He who is the Creator and Upholder of All Things, when He was made like unto the humblest of His creatures?
How great was the physical distance He came? He who held the universe in His hand was cradled in the arms of a humble virgin. There was no giving up for this One.
- He who came down so low for us that He could lift us up so high.
- He came to give Himself a sacrifice for many not for glory or praise.
- The people He came to rescue rejected Him and nailed Him to a Cross.
- He came to aid the helpless.
- The Mighty to Save, died for the Distant, Dying and Disobedient Sheep.
A.M. Ross