As I reflect on the significance of Christmas I’m struck by various responses to Jesus’ majesty. Jesus is God the Son who became a man born as a child in Israel 2,000 years ago. His mission was to save the world which he accomplished by living the life each person should live and dying the death that each deserves. For everyone has rebelled by putting themselves before God and others. This self-centered rebellion separates people from God and eventually kills them (Romans 3:23, 6:23). Fortunately, when Jesus graciously died and rose again, he made a way to be saved. He enabled anyone who trusts and obeys him to be forgiven, to be reconciled with God, and to enjoy abundant life as a part of God’s royal family now and forever (John 3:16, 10:10). Many did not expect the savior of the world to take on the vulnerability of a baby, the limitations of a man, the persecution of a prophet, and the suffering of a servant. Surely this mighty crusader would gloriously introduce himself, garner worship, and swiftly crush his enemies. However, God’s ways are higher and better than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). His perfect plan was that through suffering as a servant Jesus would become the conquering king. Jesus has done that. In his first coming he conquered by dying to pay the penalty of our sin and rising again to provide the power not to sin (Colossians 1:15-23). When he comes again he will complete the victory he has already won by eliminating all remaining enemies like disease, disaster, death, evil, and the devil (Revelation 19:11-21:8).
Some people recognized Jesus’ righteousness, power, and love and appropriately bowed in humility and honor. For instance, after travelling a great distance being led by a star, wise men of the east fell to the ground and worshipped upon finding baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12). Later the lame, leprous, chronically ill, and demon-possessed came before the feet of Jesus who compassionately healed them (John 5:1-15; Luke 17:11-19; Mark 5:1-8, 24-34). Parents bowed before him and implored Jesus on behalf of their suffering children (Mark 5:21-43, 9:14-29; Matthew 15:21-28). After Jesus provided a miraculous catch of fish, Peter fell at Jesus’ knees ashamed of his sin (Luke 5:1-11). A sinful yet repentant woman wept while meeting Jesus. She anointed his feet with perfume, kissed them, and dried them with her hair. (Luke 7:36-50). As Jesus innocently hung on a cross to die, one of the criminals being crucified with him humbled his heart and pleaded for Jesus, to accept him into Jesus’ kingdom. In contrast, another criminal dying on the other side of Jesus refused to recognize Jesus’ divinity and mocked him instead (Luke 23:26-43).
Like the ridiculing criminal, many others also stiffened in pride, fear, hatred, or indifference, at the thought of bowing to Jesus. As a Jewish client king of Rome, Herod gave lip service to honoring Jesus at the news of his birth, but then called for the murder of thousands of children hoping to eliminate baby Jesus, the one chosen by God to rule (Matthew 2:1-12). For similar reasons to Herod when Jesus was an adult, the religious ruling council plotted to kill Jesus rather than accept him for who he proved to be—the Messiah (John 11:45-57). Another example is the rich young ruler who knelt before Jesus inquiring how to inherit eternal life. But when Jesus told him eternal life involved putting God before his possessions, the man left dismayed. Although he had bowed in posture, his heart still exalted his material blessings from God above God himself (Matthew 19:16-30). Many more also turned from following Jesus as soon as his teaching seemed too hard to accept (John 6:25-69).
How do you respond to Jesus? Do you bow in humble adoration recognizing him as your loving savior and lord? Or does your pride, fear, skepticism, or comfort prevent you from worshipping him? Do you stand in defiance rejecting his way, his truth, and his life? Perhaps you are unsure how to respond? That’s understandable. I, too, used to be unsure. Here are a few thoughts that helped me decide to bow before Jesus. As I continue to bow each day, it makes all the difference in the world.
You Should Bow Because Jesus Bowed
As the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus is your example in all that is good, right, and loving (John 14:6). Even though it cost him his life, out of love for his Father and for all people Jesus humbly did and said everything God the Father asked of him (John 4:34, 12:49, 17:4). “[Jesus] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11). Because Jesus, the Son, bowed in submission to and reliance on God the Father people can be saved and he was exalted to his rightful place as Lord of all. Likewise, if you bow in submission to and reliance on Jesus, he will save you and work through you to save others. Confess any wrongdoing and receive Jesus’ forgiveness. Then trust and obey him and he will teach you and exalt you, enabling you to live rightly and to become all you were designed to be in him. James, the brother of Jesus put it this way, “‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:6-10).
When You Bow All You Receive All
Jesus is calling you to rely on him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). Your fulfillment and all of God’s blessings are found only in Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20). They become real for you as you bow in faith, yielding all that you are and have to Jesus as savior and lord (Hebrews 11:1). Yield your head, your heart, and your hands. Submit what you think, what you believe, what you value, and what you do. Bow your direction, your decisions, your desires, your dreams, and your difficulties to his divine plan. Let him redeem them for his greater purpose and glory. He takes your brokenness and makes it beautiful. He receives what you offer and multiplies its effectiveness. He meets you where you are at and leads you higher up and farther in with him. Jesus said, ““Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it” (Luke 9:23-24). As you give of yourself, God fills you to overflowing with more of himself. Bowing to Jesus will involve some hardship, but the lasting joy and benefit far outweigh the temporary sacrifice (John 16:33; Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Jesus taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:3-12).
Conclusion
Christmas is a time of giving. We give because God gave himself in Jesus. Jesus, God the Son, is the greatest gift of all. He is the eternal King of kings and Prince of peace. He created the universe and holds all things together. Yet he graciously suffered, died, and rose again to save you because he dearly loves you and wants the absolute best for you. To those who bow to receive him, Jesus brings clarity from uncertainty, light from darkness, freedom from enslavement, beauty from ashes, and life from death. So out of love for God and his salvation, give your utmost for his highest. Then as he enables you, give of yourself to others so they can come to know Jesus and bow before him also.