The Seed of Hope
Written by Jarred Rushing
(5 minutes)
When they arrived in Bethlehem, Mary went into labor, and there she gave birth to her firstborn son. After wrapping the newborn baby in strips of cloth, they laid him in a feeding trough since there was no available space in any upper room in the village. (Luke 2:6-7)
Today we celebrate and honor the Seed of Hope, Yeshua the Christ. Abba sent us the gift of His Son that He delights to see us unwrap with joy. The Seed of Hope that the angels declared was for "everyone everywhere!"
For today in Bethlehem a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah. (Luke 2:11)
What an incredible message the shepherds heard that night in the field. A massive angel choir announced the birth of a rescuer, the Messiah, Yahweh Himself. And what would they need to look for to find this Savior? What marvelous sight would be awaiting them as they searched for this newborn King? How would they know that they found Him? It would surely be a royal scene, wouldn't it?
You will recognize him by this miracle sign: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough! (Luke 2:12)
Not exactly what you would expect to see after witnessing a heavenly army of angels out in the open field. But the Seed of Hope came just like that...a seed. Pastor Tim made a significant statement at the beginning of the message on Sunday: "Everything that comes from the Kingdom comes as a seed." Think about that. Yahweh could have come anyway that He wanted, but He chose to come in seed form, passing through the womb of a virgin girl as a small, vulnerable, helpless baby boy, depending on other people to help Him mature. Our eyes have been trained to look for things that are full grown, but the Kingdom comes in seed form every time. And how we respond to that seed determines everything.
How are we responding to the Kingdom seeds in our lives? Yahweh is still interested in planting seeds. He loves the process of seeing things mature by way of our honor. He is inviting Kingdom men and women to honor the Kingdom seeds until they become fully mature. But it takes the wisdom of Yahweh, His perspective, to honor things that are unseen until they are seen. Mary and Joseph had Yahweh's eyes. They saw a Savior in their baby son. The shepherds inherited Yahweh's perspective as they searched for a King wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough. The wise men leaned into the wisdom of Yahweh as they traveled, spending time and costly resources, to seek out the Messiah who hailed from Heaven who at the time was just a toddler.
When they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, they were overcome. Falling to the ground at his feet they worshipped him. Then they opened their treasure boxes full of gifts and presented him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)
Do we have eyes to see the Kingdom seeds that Yahweh has planted in our lives right now? Can we recognize the seeds of hope even if they are not fully grown? Can we honor them into maturity?
Today we celebrate the Seed of all seeds, Yeshua the Christ. He is the Good Hope given to the sons and daughters of men. He is Emmanuel, which means in Hebrew, "God became one of us." Jesus is Abba's final word to the entire cosmos that He will not leave us alone. He will not settle for separation. Distance will not be our destiny. The King stepped off of His throne because He would not live without the closeness of His children. The Seed of Hope for everyone everywhere.
As you walk with Abba today, ask Him for His eyes. Ask Him for wisdom to honor the unseen until it is seen. Ask Him for His perspective to see the Kingdom seeds that He has already planted all around you. Celebrate the closeness of the King today, for this day is all about His presence which we will never have to live without. This union and unbroken fellowship that we share with Him will have no end. Have a Merry Christmas as you unwrap the gift of Jesus, the Anointed One!
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Worship: "Come and Behold" by Maverick City and UPPERROOM
Honor: Give Online to The Wilderness Place
Share With Us: We would love to hear how you're encountering Abba in your daily walks. Don't hesitate to share what you're hearing, seeing, or sensing in His presence. Email us here!
