Reputation

Christmas is drawing near. I was thinking about the first Christmas, and felt that I needed to remind myself of the circumstances surrounding it. Those who are recorded to have been present at the birth of Christ were of no reputation, several are not even known by name. No religious leaders were there, nor important officials. Animals probably outnumbered the people present. However, the glory of God was there as the heavens opened and the angels declared it. Lowly shepherds were allowed to be a part of the birth and the glory. Unnamed wise men from the East did not consider themselves too important to travel a long distance, following a star in order to bring gifts to an unknown King, though they were men of great enough esteem to be accepted into the presence of earthly kings (Mt. 2:7-12). Mary, a young woman of no importance to man, humbled herself further to receive the perplexing and challenging prophetic Word of the LORD that was brought to her by an angel. Joseph, a common carpenter, humbled himself to accept a seemingly impossible and what would be perceived as a scandalous situation because of what was shown to him in a dream. From these details of the birth of Jesus, we might be able to conclude that God is not necessarily looking for someone with a reputation, who is acknowledged, recognized, and approved of by man. In the world's view, it is a desired thing to be recognized. We live in an age of Instagram flooded with "selfies", and "social influencers" compete for subscribers by showing us how to live the most exciting and beautiful lifestyle. To them, recognition and reputation translates into money. The kingdom of God, especially if we use the birth of Christ as an example, does not share the world's viewpoint, and teaches the complete opposite. It is to our benefit to understand that the world's ways are not God's ways. Scripture tells us that Jesus came as one having made Himself of no reputation (meaning to empty, cause a thing to be seen as empty, of no reputation, abase, make of none effect; vessels which contain nothing, empty handed, destitute of spiritual wealth): "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." (Phil 2:5-8). Though we are the sons of God through Christ, we follow the example of Jesus as we make of ourselves a people of no reputation. We will see what God does with such a people later. I think these verses above are some of the most important in scripture, and the Christmas story is filled with this same truth. If this is the model set before us by the most important figure the world has ever known, Jesus, we are to follow His example, surely. No one has accomplished more for the kingdom of God than Jesus, yet He deliberately sought to have no reputation. He even told those who recognized Him as Christ to tell no one. A person's acceptance of Jesus was not to be based upon His reputation, but based instead upon the revelation of God, a work of the Holy Spirit (Mt. 16:13-20). And too many to count have experienced this revelation. God can do great things through a person of no reputation. Again, in the continuation of the verses from Philippians, we are given the model of Jesus: "Therefore, God has also highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:9-11). To one who accepted Christ, not based upon reputation, but revelation, Jesus said, "...on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Mt. 16:18-19). To the Corinthian church, who had great pride in their spiritual gifts, the apostle Paul pointed out that he came to them in weakness, knowing nothing but Christ and Him crucified. He deliberately preached not with words of human wisdom and polish, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. He told them that their faith should be of the same nature (1 Cor. 2:2:1-5). To the Philippian church, he spoke of his most excellent and highly regarded credentials which would make him a Jew of high standing if that was what mattered. However, he no longer considered those things of importance in preaching the Gospel. He said, "But what things are gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ...for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him...the righteousness which is from God by faith." (Phil. 3:3-9). Paul would rather lose himself and be part of Christ than to be and have what the world and religion consider impressive and influential. He would fit in well as one who came to that first Christmas in Bethlehem. The Sabbath readings assigned for this week, Gen. 41-44, carry the same timely message. The readings tell of people who were miraculously elevated, but they recognized that it was not because of who they were, but because of the Spirit of God. Joseph was brought out of prison to be a ruling person in Egypt because he interpreted Pharaoh's dreams that no one else could interpret. When Pharaoh said that he had heard of Joseph's reputation for interpreting dreams, Joseph answered, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." (Gen. 41:16). The dream interpretation would result in revealing the heavenly knowledge and wisdom that would be needed to guide the nation of Egypt through years of famine, and also to have enough food on hand to provide for Joseph's father Jacob, Joseph's brothers, and all of their children and flocks when they joined Joseph in Egypt. Choosing Joseph to elevate to the position of second in the land, Pharaoh said to his servants and Joseph, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?...Inasmuch as God has shown you (Joseph) all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall rule over my house and all my people shall be ruled according to your word...See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." (Gen. 41:38-41). In this elevation, Joseph, born a Hebrew, hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, betrayed by those with whom he had been entrusted, learned that it was not who he was that elevated him, but Who the Spirit of God is Who revealed these things to him. In the haftarah reading for this Sabbath, 1 Kings 3:15-4:1, when Solomon became king after his father David died, he didn't come to the throne relying on David's great reputation, or the people's recognition and honor of his royal position. Solomon requested of the LORD in a dream, "Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father, David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore, give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" (1 Kings 3:7-9). The next verse says, "The speech pleased the LORD that Solomon had asked this thing." Because the LORD was so pleased with Solomon's humble spirit as reflected in his request, the LORD gave Solomon not only what he asked for, but much more besides, "...so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you...there shall not be any one like you among the kings all your days." (v. 12-13). These readings for this Sabbath are titled, "Miketz", which is translated, "at the end of". In light of the contents of the readings, I believe what God is saying to us through them is that when we are willing to be at the end of ourselves, then God can begin. This Christmas, as we remember the birth of Christ, making a pilgrimage in the Spirit to the stable where He was born, let's leave our "reputations" behind, and come as ones having made ourselves of no reputation. This year, may we experience the same Christmas glory in the birth of Christ as those who were present so long ago. Our Father wants us to come to the manger and experience His glory. If you would like to receive the King of Glory, Jesus, this Christmas as your Lord and Savior, believe in your heart that He died for your sins, and confess by faith that He rose from the dead. We can pray together: "Lord Jesus, I come to You in faith, seeking You as Lord and Savior, believing that You died for me. I believe that You rose from the dead. I believe that God has given You a name, and highly exalted You. Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that You are Lord of all. You lowered Yourself and became like men, and made Yourself of no reputation, in order to save me according to Your Father's plan. Fill me with the Holy Spirit that I might be the glory of God in Your image. In Your name, which has been exalted by God, I pray. Amen.