Go Beyond

I am captivated by the beauty of Jesus. There is no one else like him on any page of the annals of history. He stands apart — unique in His mission and claims. The Bible tells us that He existed before time began but that at a specific point in time He put on flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. And because He chose to enter our world, everything changed.

I love the story of Christmas because it is the story of Jesus. We must not forget that in the midst of the gross secularization of this holy day.

Jesus entered our world in the most unexpected of ways. He was born in a stable a short distance from the Herodium, a fortress-palace built by Herod on top of the highest real estate in Bethlehem.

Herod spared no expense to build the biggest and the best on the highest mountain so that the world would know there is a Herod. The Herodium was so imposing that the first rays of the sun painted its shadow across Bethlehem each morning.

Jesus, the king of the universe, was born in an insignificant cave and amidst animals — in the shadow of Herod’s impressive palace. Today, the Herodium and all of Herod’s palaces and fortresses lie in ruins. Herod is remembered as the megalomaniac willing to kill babies (Matt. 2:16-18) in an effort to maintain his power.

Jesus did not leave a legacy of palaces or architectural accomplishments. He left something much more lasting. And, what Herod the Great feared (Matt. 2:3) came to pass. The baby born in Bethlehem beneath the shadow of his palace became a greater king than him and changed the world forever.

Christmas is the story of Jesus moving in our direction in order to do what no other worldview or religious leader could possibly do. He alone was uniquely qualified to be the Savior of the world because He Himself did not need to be saved.

Jesus also set an example unlike any other. He was selfless and moved in the direction of people in need. And because He did so everything changed for those individuals who heard His voice or felt His touch. By the mere power of His voice He sent demons running, knocked the wind out of storms, commanded life to return to the dead, and forgave sin.

Those whom He touched were never the same again. He moved in the direction of lepers and restored them to health. He held babies, opened blind eyes, loosed tongues that had forgotten how to speak, healed every kind of disease, restored withered limbs, and mended broken hearts.

As I contemplate the meaning of Christmas this year, I choose to draw near to Jesus — to daily move in His direction as an expression of my gratitude for Jesus having moved in my direction. I want to move in His direction because the deepest longings of my heart can only be satisfied in His nearness.

I love what Ravi Zacharias, the renowned Christian apologist, wrote about coming to Jesus. He found something in His nearness that he could find in none other than Jesus.

“I came to Him because I did not know which way to turn. I have remained with Him because there is no other way I wish to turn. I came to Him longing for something I did not have. I remain with Him because I have something I will not trade. I came to Him a stranger. I remain with Him in the most intimate of friendships. I came to Him unsure about the future. I remain with Him certain about my destiny.”

So, I choose to draw near and to stay near to Jesus. I am determined, weak and human as I am, to so live like Jesus that those in need will move in my direction. And when they do, I want to be His hands and feet and to compassionately care for them as Jesus would — and to point them in His direction.

I invite you to join me on this journey of discovering the beauty found only in Jesus and in His nearness. Choose to move in His direction.