Emmanuel—God With Us
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John 16:33
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
This is one of my hallmark scripture verses. It is one of the verses that displays in the banner at the top of the page. It may seem odd to be offered for reflection at Christmas, but I think the words speak of joy and celebration. “I have overcome the world.” Wow! That is such a promising, reassuring statement. Christ has overcome the world as we know it. He transcends all modern day philosophy of one-up-manship; he tramples all over the premise of some of the “reality” television shows and forever lays to rest the idea that we may find all we want and need in the things of this world.
Upon reading this verse, and reflecting upon the power of its words, praying upon the implications, the verse becomes a perfectly suitable one for the day after Christmas. A child is born. That birth changed the world forever. His life became our new model. His death created a new paradigm. His resurrection offered us the reassurance that there is more to our existence than our lives upon this earth. No matter how much money you have, no matter how many friends you’ve made, no matter how much power and influence you possess, this gift is unsurpassed on earth! Christ has overcome the world.
Yes, we will labor. Certainly we will have trials and tribulations. Thank you Adam and Eve! But God didn’t lock the gate to paradise forever when they sinned. He merely set an angel at the gate to guard it, waiting until the right time to throw open the gates again and allow mankind to live in Eden for eternity. God didn’t throw up His hands and decide to be done with us all because of our sinfulness and self-centeredness either. He didn’t give up on us in exasperation and disappointment. Nor did He decide we just weren’t the trouble, because there is a whole universe out there that demands his time and attention.
He sent a Savior. That savior came in the form a tiny helpless human child. The child had human parents who loved him very much, but certainly didn’t understand him, or realize his potential or his life’s goal. (Sound familiar?) Jesus the man was rejected by many, especially those in his own community—they knew better than any about his illegitimate birth, and his profession as a carpenter—a lowly workman in the community. Still sounding like this story could be your story? No one really knew him; no one really understood him; he had no one in whom he could confide—except God.
I realized as I prayed over this verse this morning how very much the life of Christ is like mine and, I suspect, just like yours. God came to earth for a while to walk among us, to be clothed in our skin, to have our blood coursing through his veins. I wonder if his humanity ever got in the way of his divinity. I imagine any time he sensed that was the case, he prayed. The theme for Advent this year at our church has been Emmanuel—God With Us. Today is the second day of God’s life upon the earth 2000+ years ago. Today the story continues. Though it is one of poverty, trial and tribulation, it ends in final victory.
My prayer today is that as you reflect upon your Christmas celebrations and merriment, you remember the true reason for the season. And that you thank God for giving us the greatest gift of all.
Mary
