Insignificant Significance

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,  to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. Luke 2:1-5

The selection of Israel’s first King was Saul. Here was a man that looked significant in posture and appearance. He stood a full head taller than everyone else around him, and it was said of him that there was “none like him among all the people.” Almost everything about him telegraphed importance and king-like material. Almost everything. His fatal flaw that led to a slow decline was unobservable at first glance. Saul’s heart was not fully committed to God. His resulting behavior disqualified him as king. Enter the insignificant shepherd.

David was quickly overlooked among his brothers, even by the prophet Samuel. Why was this man not considered a king a first glance? David’s appearance was insignificant, but his heart was not. His heart was seen by God as that of a king. By God’s standard, he was vastly significant and fit to be King. It is no surprise that God would send Jesus through this very line, to be born in the city of David. This should serve us as a reminder that God sees things differently. The coming of Jesus is an excellent way to make this point. Both God and men have a viewpoint, and we learn God’s through His actions among us.

DO THIS TODAY: Start looking at this Christmas seasons from God’s point of view.