Daily Reflections

This Is Our King

December 18, 2021 Shannon Popkin

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. —Isaiah 7:14

I adore babies, but I can’t imagine becoming one again. It’s astonishing to me that Jesus volunteered for exactly this. And He did so not as a man but as God.

Jesus is the Ruler of all nations. The most powerful earthly rulers aren’t endowed with even a fraction of the intellect, wisdom, power, wealth, or creative capacity that He possesses.

This is the King who chose to become a baby. This is the King who set aside His mental brilliance to learn carpentry from an adoptive father. This is the King who dipped His hand into the same bowl with tax collectors and sinners.

Jesus set aside His heavenly crown and tucked Himself into human flesh. He veiled His grandeur so He could blend into crowds and start conversations about His Father (Heb. 10:19–20). He masked His majesty by taking the role of a servant (Phil. 2:7).

This is the King who humbled Himself to death on a cross, so that you and I might have eternal life.

Make it Personal

Think about all of the things that Jesus gave up to come to earth as a baby. Which ones are the most incredible to you?