Birth Mark

1 Cor 7:17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. 20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave.23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

There is nothing physical that can keep anyone from the love of Jesus Christ. There is nothing anyone can do to earn His love. There is no advancement in earthly station required. There is no place so low or sin so great that Jesus’ love cannot reach down to meet. There is no height necessary to accomplish.

The simplicity and humility of Jesus’ birth provides a major clue of all that is to follow. The design of the tabernacle had merely hinted at what the coming of Christ accomplished.

Could God be worshiped from a tent? What of the covering of badger skins – that would make the outward appearance not only common, but unattractive? Only those who would approach would see the marvelous and intricate design of the inside of the tent. Those who could be put of by humility and simplicity would be. They would never see the rich tapestries and gold furniture found inside.

Just like the tabernacle, (which actually had more in common with Christ than Solomon’s temple,) Jesus came in humble surroundings, and was of humble appearance. His appeal would be to every man, to every woman, and to every child. It would not take a theological education to enter the kingdom of heaven. It would not require status. Most importantly, it would not require wealth or position. In fact, the tabernacle, and the humble surroundings of Jesus’ birth would signal something else: The birth mark of those who would come to Christ would be humility.

Humility, unlike just about anything else pertaining to men and men’s aspirations, is a mark of the will of the heart. It goes against the grain of the flesh, and can only be arrived at by a conscious decision. And so, if you are a slave when you come to Christ, you have no need to become something better to attain heaven. If you are free, if you are rich, if you are poor, if you are whatever…there is no outward attainment that can or will justify you in God’s eyes. Only the mark of a broken heart is the measure of the Christ-follower – the one who is born again from above. Nothing physical can change or affect that.

- Pastor Bill