HOW INCONVENIENT

If anyone ever told you that following Jesus would make your life easier – either they were not following Jesus or they were lying or they had an unusual experience of life.

Jesus never promised comfort, but He did promise fulfilment.

At Christmas we remember the circumstances of Jesus’ birth. At the most inconvenient time to his mother, the Romans ordered everyone to return to their hometown for a census.

If God could have planned the baby’s arrival a few months earlier or later, it would have been less unpleasant. As it was Mary had to give birth in a field or a stable rather than in her own home.

The privilege of being the mother of God’s Son included the cost of sharing His suffering. When God came to earth He gave Himself few advantages.

He was born homeless, his early years were spent as an asylum-seeker and he was raised in a peasant family.

This was because Jesus not only wanted to identify with humanity, He wanted to identify with the least and lowest.

Eventually He died a criminal’s death on a cruel cross. In doing this He conquered death, sin and Satan. He made it possible for us to know God. God the creator who made us, who gave us gifts and strengths/weaknesses.

God who has a purpose for each one of us. God who loved us so much that He gave His only Son so that, those who will turn to Him, may be reconciled to Him forever.