Chapter 4—Unto You a Saviour
This chapter is based on
Luke 2:1-20
.
The King of glory stooped low to take humanity. Rude and for-
bidding were His earthly surroundings. His glory was veiled, that the
majesty of His outward form might not become an object of attraction.
He shunned all outward display. Riches, worldly honor, and human
greatness can never save a soul from death; Jesus purposed that no
attraction of an earthly nature should call men to His side. Only the
beauty of heavenly truth must draw those who would follow Him. The
character of the Messiah had long been foretold in prophecy, and He
desired men to accept Him upon the testimony of the word of God.
The angels had wondered at the glorious plan of redemption. They
watched to see how the people of God would receive His Son, clothed
in the garb of humanity. Angels came to the land of the chosen people.
Other nations were dealing in fables and worshiping false gods. To
the land where the glory of God had been revealed, and the light of
prophecy had shone, the angels came. They came unseen to Jerusalem,
to the appointed expositors of the Sacred Oracles, and the ministers
of God’s house. Already to Zacharias the priest, as he ministered
[44]
before the altar, the nearness of Christ’s coming had been announced.
Already the forerunner was born, his mission attested by miracle and
prophecy. The tidings of his birth and the wonderful significance of
his mission had been spread abroad. Yet Jerusalem was not preparing
to welcome her Redeemer.
With amazement the heavenly messengers beheld the indifference
of that people whom God had called to communicate to the world
the light of sacred truth. The Jewish nation had been preserved as
a witness that Christ was to be born of the seed of Abraham and of
David’s line; yet they knew not that His coming was now at hand. In
the temple the morning and the evening sacrifice daily pointed to the
Lamb of God; yet even here was no preparation to receive Him. The
priests and teachers of the nation knew not that the greatest event of
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