The Christian Under Human Government (12) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9

The Christian Under Human Government (12)
With the above beautiful words, Paul summarized the unfathomable mystery of who Jesus is, God blessed over all. The expression He was rich—literally, "He, being rich"—indicates that He did not stop being rich, being God, when He made Himself poor, coming in flesh at His incarnation (; 1 Tim. 3:16). This amazing event fulfilled many prophecies about Messiah's coming, including God's words to Eve about the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15) and predictions in Moses' writings, the Psalms, and the Prophets (Lk. 24:44).

When He came, He was not recognized or honored, except by poor shepherds in Bethlehem's field and later in the temple by Simeon and Anna (2:16-38). God's Word records many details about the first coming of the King for our study and meditation, including how He grew up in a despised part of the country. Jesus lived in Nazareth, a town not held in honor, where He was known as the son of the carpenter (vv. 39-52; Mk. 6:3; Jn. 1:46, 7:52).

Around the time that Jesus was 30 years old (Lk. 3:23), God sent "a witness," John the Baptist (Jn. 1:6-8). Brought up in the priestly family of Zacharias, by the time he was about 30 years old, John would have started his service in the temple. Instead, God led him to the wilderness to proclaim a special message as His prophet. This took place about 400 years after the last Old Testament prophet, Malachi (Mal. 3:1).

John was called the greatest born of women (Mt. 11:11; Lk. 7:26-28), privileged to introduce the Messiah to His people. Many believers are under a government opposed to Him and to His followers. But as disciples of Him who is now exalted in heaven, we may all serve Him who became poor for us.

Alfred E. Bouter