I’m awake early this morning. Everyone else is asleep. I quietly made some coffee and escaped to Rachél’s studio to think.
It is very still, except for the humming of the air conditioner. The morning darkness and some ominous clouds hang heavy from the Florida sky. Probably another day of rain! I can feel the dense humidity!
There is a bit of sadness because I leave today. Norma Jean will stay behind to help Rachél and Jared. And, of course care for baby Roy! As I think about leaving our newborn grandson, Roy Sharp Thompson, my eyes are getting misty! I sure will miss that little fella.
In fact, I woke this morning thinking about Roy. So pure. Innocent. Sinless. He’s uncorrupted and unspoiled by the putridity so prevalent in this world. I thought it would be great if he could stay that way!
But he will grow up and eventually he forced to face the same trials and temptations common to every baby who becomes an adult. That’s why another child was born. A special child. A child who would welcome the little children. Minister to them. And ultimately die for them.
The prophet Isaiah spoke of the Messiah 800 years before his coming in these words:
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6)
It is interesting how many times the Bible refers to Jesus as “a child.” 10 times in the first two chapters of Matthew Jesus is spoken of in this manner. He quotes Isaiah’s prophecy:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matt 1:23).
The Gospel writer then proceeds to chronicle the early events in the life of “the young child.’ Wise men came to worship Him. Herod sought to kill him. The Angel warned His parents of the impending plot. Joseph and Mary took Him into Egypt. And “the young child” was brought back to Israel when the immediate threat passed.
The physician, Luke, in his letter, records that “the child” was circumcised, brought into the temple, and how he grew to become a godly young boy” (Lk. 2:21, 27, 40).
It is evident that God wanted us to know for certain that Jesus was once a child. Fragile. Weak. Dependent on his parents. A baby who nursed at his mother’s breast, like little Roy!
Jesus was human in all aspects. He cried. Cooed. And Smiled. He grew up. He experienced hunger. Thirst. And weariness. He knew the frailties of the flesh. The temptations of the devil. And the weakness of his fellow human beings.
But this child was different from any other child ever born. He was conceived by a virgin. He came from the bosom of the Father. He was “God in the flesh.” He was both human and divine.
When Jesus grew to manhood he once said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 19:14)
I don’t know what day Jesus was born. But I know what day he died. It was Friday. It was a dark day. A day when evil men conspired to kill Christ. On that day the sinless Son of God died for me. For you. And all babies ever born.
Jesus’ vicarious death and his triumph resurrection over sin, death and the Devil offer us hope in a wicked world. Hope for a better life. Hope for a spiritual life. Hope for eternal life.
He’s just a week old. But I have a lot of hope for Roy Sharp Thompson. And that’s because of “the child” born centuries ago.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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