December 18, 2020 -- John 18:1-2 -- Suffering and Joy Juxtaposed

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.

John 18:1-2 English Standard Version

Seems a bit jarring, doesn’t it, to juxtapose Jesus’ suffering and betrayal with the festivities of the Christmas season? There are so many lovely nativity scenes on display now. What one easily forgets is that the beginning of Jesus’ life was as filled with suffering as was the end of His life.

Jesus was born in a cave, in an area where animals were kept, because Joseph and Mary’s extended family would not accommodate them. Remember this was the time in Roman history when a census was being taken of the known world. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, because they were descendants of King David’s family.

All the extended cousins and second cousins would be there in Bethlehem. No one gave them room because Mary was pregnant. No doubt every busy-body family member had counted on their fingers when Joseph and Mary had married and calculated how far along Mary was in her pregnancy and realized this baby was conceived before the date of marriage. Scandal attended Jesus’ birth.

The wonder of the Incarnation and the majesty of the life of Jesus Christ is that He willingly left the splendours of heaven and He came as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. He knew His life would be suffering and betrayal—yet His life on earth was filled with the vision of His Father in heaven. Jesus lived as the Suffering Servant, yet His life was marked by obedience to His Father which was filled with the joy set before Him. He was able to despise the shame of suffering and betrayal and scorn the cross, knowing He would sit at the Father’s right hand in victory, bringing many sons and daughters to salvation. What a Saviour!

Prayer-Praise reading comes from Isaiah 59:19-60:3

So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west,
    and his glory from the rising of the sun;
for he will come like a rushing stream,
    which the wind of the Lord drives.

20 “And a Redeemer will come to Zion,
    to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord.

21 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.”

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Isaiah 59:19-21; 60:1-3 English Standard Version

https://youtu.be/0FlbFot-aho

1. Sweetest music, softly stealing
Thro' the silence of the night;
To the shepherds, now revealing,
Christ is born, the Source of light.

[Chorus]
Glory unto God the Father,
Who hath sent His only Son,
That He may all nations gather
Round His feet and make them one.

2. Now in David's ancient city
He is born, the angels say;
God the Father, full of pity,
Sends His Son to you today. [Chorus]

3. Shepherds, to the stable hasten,
There your Saviour Christ is born,
Son of Mary, lowly maiden,
On this first glad Christmas morn! [Chorus]

4. He from highest heav'n descending
Comes on earth your woes to heal,
That your ev'ry want attending,
Love of God He may reveal. [Chorus]

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/christmascarols/s/sweetestmusicsoftlystealinglyrics.html