Have you seen the television show, “Undercover Boss?” Honestly, I haven’t . . . but I am familiar with the concept. On the show, a CEO of a big-time company leaves the boardroom and perks behind to become a common worker in his/her organization. The ensuing drama inevitably leads to some dynamic shift in perspective as the CEO ultimately sees how their executive decisions are effecting front-line employees.
Jesus birth in Bethlehem was not an accident and was not by chance — God had planned it all along, and had been making preparations for Christ’s arrival from the very beginning.
It is a misnomer to think that Jesus came into existence at Bethlehem. The Bible is actually quite clear that from the time that was the beginning, Jesus already WAS. John 1:1 says it this way, “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus) and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” Notice the tense of the verb in this verse. Literally, this verse says, “Imagine the time when there were no people, no planets, and no plants. At that very moment before anything was created, Jesus WAS ALREADY THERE.” In fact, John 1:3 goes on to say that “All things were made through Jesus, and without Jesus was not any thing made that was made.” Jesus created the world. He did not originate in Bethlehem, He created the earth under which Bethlehem sits. Jesus birth is not so much a simple Baby Story, as it is an episode of “Undercover Boss.” The CEO of the universe came to the earth He created “dressed” as a common carpenter’s son.
But why did Jesus humble Himself to come as a baby that first Christmas day? Here is a hint from Hebrews 4:15: “For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Jesus went through the full human experience so that we could fully know that the King of Kings has a dynamic, personal understanding for what it means to be human. He knows what it means to cry, laugh, and love. He knows what it means to be disappointed, discouraged, and dissed. He knows first hand what it means to spend a sleepless night in prayer, seeking God’s will while asking if “the Cup could pass from Him.” Jesus knows. Because the Boss went Undercover as the carpenter’s son, we can (as Hebrews 4:16 concludes), “with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Therefore, this Christmas season, as you see reminders of the infant in the manger, remember that the baby was the Boss undercover. He has lived our lives, and He understands what we are going through. He is not a disconnected Executive. He is the Sovereign Savior who cares.
This devotional is part of a 25 day devotional guide. Download all 25 days of the devotional in pdf or ebook format (for free) by clicking here.