“And when she saw him (Gabriel), she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this should be.” Luke 1:29
Dear Ones:
There is a short phrase in Scripture, which is used several times to convey the sovereign “timing” of the revealing of God’s works and purposes. It is: “In the fullness of time…” When one considers the long years of prophetical declarations concerning the coming of the Messiah, it is a most amazing thing that God chose, not only the time of Christ’s birth into this world, but also, the manner in which He came. We are apt to forget that God is NOT confined by the dictates of time and culture. It is, as Nebuchadnezzar discovered and declared: “He (God) does according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and NONE can stay His hand, or say to Him, ‘What are You doing?'” (Daniel 4:35) In the “fullness of time,” God deliberately intervened in history, and the realization of Isaiah’s prophesy was fulfilled: “For unto us a child is born; unto us, a Son is given.” As to “how” He did this, He did so in His own wonderful, “original,” and incomprehensible manner. And yet, there is enough about the event that is revealed to us, as to address the deep needs of the heart and soul of man. At last, the Eternal God, has stepped into humanity by becoming a man, perfect man and perfect God, at the same time, to reveal Himself to the “lowliest” of all. We find Him revealing Himself to a simple, young virgin, to her aged cousin bearing John the Baptist, to shepherds, eventually to the sick and sorrowing, and the dying. The great, Original God, did that which, in His time and way, was incomprehensible, often unacceptable by many, but in perfect conformity with His gracious and loving nature. A child, held up by a manger, would one day, be held up by a cross. Who was expecting this, and in this way?
When Jesus’ parents brought Him into the temple to present Him to the Lord, the ancient Simeon was there. We are told that the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and that it had been revealed to him that he would not see death until he had seen “the Lord’s Christ.” It will be by Simeon’s own words that we will discover something of the heart of God. He said to Mary, “This child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel…a sign which shall be spoken against; yes, a sword shall pierce your own soul.” (Luke 2:35) Why did he say this? We might say that he was just referencing the crucifixion of Christ. But then, we need to ask the question: How could God, who chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus, and who knew such “holy” joy as his mother, come face to the face with fact that one day her sorrow would know no bounds because of Him? God would allow her to be present that day at Calvary, when the innocent and good Christ would die unjustly at the hands of evil men. Mary, though certainly not understanding, would in some measure taste the pain and suffering in the heart of God, because of what sin does to men. If it were not that the sinless Lamb of God would be gloriously raised from the dead, securing for us, forgiveness and cleansing from sin, how could anyone bear such sorrow? But this, not only Christ did, but the Father who gave the Son did also, endured the “sword in His soul,”in beholding His Son suffer and die.
Dear Father, You who are incomprehensible in all of your dealings with us, and yet, perfectly sovereign in circumstances to teach us of Thyself, open our eyes to understand and to grasp this love of God in Christ. Let not the sorrows and suffering of this world dissuade us, and turn us aside from the great Hope and expectation that we have in Thy Son. Give to us, in the face of Your original ways, to rejoice and be glad in Thy love, believing Thee to bring about all of Thy perfect purposes, in the “fullness of time,” and in Thy perfect way. We thank Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad