As we are listening/reading through the Gospels during this Lenten season, it as first seemed odd to me to revisit the birth narratives of John the Baptist and Jesus.  But as I reflect on how Jesus would have me grow closer to Him through this, it strikes me how this Scripture Reading:  Luke 1 (ESV) portrays the Jesus who grows up to go to a cross:  This is God in human flesh.

Angel Gabriel tells Zechariah that his boy John would prepared people for the Lord (Luke 1:17).  Angel Gabriel tells Mary that Jesus "will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High...and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever..." (Luke 1:32-33).  Because of the conception by the Holy Spirit, Jesus will "be called holy-- the Son of God" (Luke 1:35).  Enlightened by the Spirit, Elizabeth refers to Mary as "the mother of my Lord" (Luke 1:43).

This Jesus is not merely a strong man.  He is  not a superhero.  He is more.  This Jesus is God who cared so much for you and me that He willingly walked the way of the Cross.  God did this for us!

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