Hebrews 4:14-16 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Titus 2:13-14 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
On December 17th, 1777, General George Washington and his 12,000-men revolutionary army entered Valley Forge. They would spend the next several months in this camp as they endured the long, cold, hard wintertime while spending time professionalizing the force to reverse the steady stream of military losses they had suffered during the previous two and a half years. He strove to provide a message of hope.
On that day, General Washington published a brilliant two-paragraph General Order to institutionalize the culture he expected in the camp. Yet, he wasn’t just going to tell them what to do, but was going to do it alongside of them:
“These cogent reasons have determined the General to take post in the neighbourhood of this camp; and influenced by them, he persuades himself, that the officers and soldiers, with on heart, and one mind, will resolve to surmount every difficulty, with a fortitude and patience, becoming their profession, and the sacred cause in which they are engaged: He himself will share in the hardship, and partake of every inconvenience.”
In a stunning sign of servant leadership, the commanding general publicly committed to “share in the hardship, and partake of every inconvenience.” In doing so, he followed the example of the greatest leader in human history – Jesus Christ.
On Christmas, we must remember that Jesus is far more than the cute baby in the manger. He was the fleshly appearing of our stunning Lord and Saviour. By coming to this earth, He amazingly committed to “share in the hardship, and partake of every inconvenience” for us. He did so not just to demonstrate and model proper servant leadership, but to prove a profound love for all of humanity, and for you and me. His glorious appearing gives us a blessed hope.
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO EMBRACE THE EXAMPLE, THE LOVE, AND THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST’S GLORIOUS APPEARING. Spend time this season marveling at a God who came to share in the hardship and partake of every inconvenience for us.
