The Rice of Life
Merry Christmas! We traveled today from the snow and cold of Colorado to the unseasonably warm weather in Atlanta. We left Denver at 6:45 a.m. which meant a short night. But the trip went well and Nathan and Mckenzie were waiting for us as we walked out of the airport doors.
When we arrived at Stephanie’s home, the grandchildren held a few gifts to open until we arrived. It was certainly an exciting Christmas filled with a variety of gifts for all to enjoy. We trust that this Christmas day was a special time for you with family and in contemplating the “advent of our Savior.”
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have the baby. She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped him up well and laid him in a box where cattle are fed.” Luke 2:6,7 ERV
The pictures and movies that depict the shepherds visiting the new born baby Jesus, show Mary holding her infant son. Yet we see that the shepherds at least initially found the baby as the angels said, “lying in a manger.” I recall while visiting Israel, our guide pointing out a stone hewn “feeding trough” and saying that contrary to modern pictures and conception of a wooden feeding trough, that was undoubtedly more the type of “manger” that was used as Jesus’ first bed.
We see many aspects of the miraculous in Jesus’ birth from angel visitations to dreams and wise men following stars. We see many aspects of Jesus birth that are pointed out as metaphors for the life He would live or His sacrificial death. We see it often referred to in the gifts of the wise men. It is pointed out that the “strips of cloth” used to swaddle the new born are also used to wrap a body prepared for burial.
As I was concluding the chapel service at a local assisted living facility a two weeks ago, one of the 93 year-old residents followed my Christmas message with observing that a “manger” as a feeding trough, reminded us of Jesus as our source of life.
The connection between food and life is inescapable. In the Philippines that saying is, “no rice, no life.” We are consistently reminded of the plight and devastation that is created by those who live in need of an adequate daily food supply. All of these find a parallel to the spiritual realm.
After Jesus fed the 5,000 from the few loaves and fish available the crowds followed Him wanting to make Him King and to receive from him what they wanted for their “daily bread.” But Jesus told them He had something greater.
“…my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world….Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:32-34 ESV)
In John 15, Jesus referred to Himself as the “vine” and His disciples as “the branches.” In doing so, He let them know that He was their life source. John in his first letter puts it clearly when he says, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.“ (1 John 5:12 NLT) (No Jesus, no life) John in his gospel records the words of Jesus, “I have come that you might have life, life to the full…” (John 10:10 NLT)
The compelling pictures of malnourished children with bloated stomachs and adults experiencing the effects of starvation, should remind us of the spiritual condition of those without the life Jesus alone can give.
It is important to remember that Jesus is not an “enhancement to our life” – He is our life! When it comes to spiritual health and vitality, He is not vitamins that supplement or give us a boost, He is the “rice of life.” When you consider Jesus the babe in the manger, worship and adore, but allow that to remind you that Jesus is the bread of life, the savior, who died in our place. Partake by faith of the life source that is found in Him alone…and live!