It’s been quite a turbulent year, hasn’t it? Many have said this has been an election like no other that we’ve seen. I’ve been comparing the recent turmoil with the social climate at the time Jesus Christ’s earthly life: emotions running high, polarized perspectives, hoping against hope, fears for the future…our recent times are reminiscent of that long-ago event.
Consider some of the twists and turns in that story:
- An unconventional arrival: God became man–and not just man, but a helpless baby, birthed by a virgin. Royal lineage, yet delivered in a barn. Welcomed by shepherds (probably among the lowest in society). When presented for a customary ritual, the priest foretold: “This child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed…” Sounds like some political upheaval for that society, too.
- A radical life: Much debate over who Jesus really was, where he came from, whether or not he was the promised deliverer of his people; emotions ran high and ran the gamut… For a person of influence, he was known to hang out with the wrong crowds (tax collectors, fishermen, and worse), and he bucked man-made traditions, unafraid to step on powerful toes. Some took offense even when he did such good as healing people.
- A surprise ending: Convicted as a criminal on false charges, sold out by a close friend, abandoned by others; horribly abused even as he was being led to his death… To those convinced he was the long-awaited Savior, this looked like the death of hope.
But the story wasn’t over yet…
What looked like the end was just the turn of a chapter; the story continues today. Those who crucified Jesus had no clue. That’s because the wisdom of God is foolishness to man. If they had understood God’s wisdom, they never would have put Jesus to death. How could that death represent wisdom? Well, many don’t believe this, but we have all sinned, offending the perfectly holy God. Our wrong-ness has separated us from God. Man’s wisdom says, “I’m a good person”, but this thinking comes from comparisons we make to those around us, rather than comparing ourselves to God and his rules. Man’s wisdom says, “Okay, maybe I’ve done some bad things, but I can make up for that.” And then we try all kinds of ways to do that: doing good, being good, trying harder next time. I used to believe that the key was knowledge—if I know it, I’ll just do everything “right”. Human wisdom; foolishness to God! Jesus understands our weakness, that even if we could start today and never make another mistake, we still cannot erase our past sins. Instead of hoping that we’ll get it together someday, God stepped in, sending his son. That’s the real reason Jesus died on the cross. Not because of the conspiracy against him, not because of any wrong that he had done—he was the only human in all of history to never sin. In the wisdom of God, Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for our sin. In dying as a substitute, he gives his righteousness in substitution for our best efforts—efforts that in reality amount to a pile of filthy rags. That’s God’s wisdom.
And that’s why this years’ ornament is an owl—a symbol of wisdom. By accepting God’s wisdom, the gift of Jesus’s death as a sacrifice for us, we obtain peace with God that prevails over the storms of this life (and there are probably plenty to come in 2017 and beyond!), and a guarantee of our future with him in the life to come.
I hope for you and your family to experience the gift of God’s peace in the New Year!