Light Has ComeSample

A King Unlike Any Other

When the Wise Men finally found Jesus, it wasn’t what they expected. They were probably anticipating an elaborate palace, royal fanfare, and servants attending to every need. Instead, they found a child in a simple, humble house with common parents.

This was the surprise: the King of kings was living a common life, in a common house, with common people. Jesus was born into a simple manger full of farm animals. He was given no aristocratic advantage. He wasn’t sheltered from real life, He was born into it.

Philippians 2:6-7 says Jesus, “being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” He emptied Himself of privilege so He could fully relate to us.

Jesus understands hard work. He was a carpenter, swinging a hammer and sweating beneath the blazing sun. He understands rejection, His own hometown tried to throw Him off a cliff. He understands abandonment, His closest friends deserted Him when He needed them most. He was even a refugee before His second birthday, fleeing to Egypt.

The challenge for many of us is thinking we need to clean up before we come to Christ. We think we need to get our act together first. Yet Jesus is reaching out to you in the condition you’re in today. He doesn’t relate to perfect people, He relates to imperfect people.

Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Jesus gets you. He understands your struggles, your temptations, your pain. He’s not standing at a distance saying, “Come see Me when you’re better.” He’s saying, “Come as you are.”

The Wise Men could have been disappointed when they arrived. This wasn’t the King they imagined. Yet they still fell down and worshiped Him. They gave Him their best gifts in gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They recognized that even though things didn’t look as expected, this was still the King worthy of worship.

Jesus may not look like what you expected, but He’s exactly what you need. He’s Immanuel, God with us. He came to where you are so you could experience where He is.

Pray

Jesus, thank You for not staying distant. Thank You for understanding my struggles because You’ve walked through them. I don’t have to be perfect to come to You. Help me see that You’re exactly what I need. I worship You today. Amen.