The King Is Coming!
The journey would have started by now. The leather bags packed.
Not Gucci of course, but the hand stitched, homemade kind. Draped across the back of the donkey, full of the necessary things for the days ahead.
The look in Mary’s eyes held glistening tears—she was leaving her parents home. Many unknowns were ahead.
Where was that angel now? Why couldn’t he have given her a bit more information?
If we were walking beside the donkey, as Joseph was then, we would have felt the breeze as it picked up upon leaving the village. Almost like a sign. Fresh new winds of change were blowing. We would smell the scent of the leather as it baked on the back of the donkey in the sun—swatted the flies as they buzzed around trying to land.
We would watch as each stumble or jolt of the donkey’s footing would cause a sharp intake of breath from the mouth of Mary, as she simultaneously placed a protective hand at the bottom of her swollen belly—as if to cradle the soon coming King.
The hot days, turned into cold nights as the trio traveled…yet they forged on ahead.
They had an assignment. Little did they know—the assignment would hold many surprises. We know—as we walk beside them now, that by nightfall, as they reached Bethlehem, exhausted, hungry, sleepy, yet anxious, as Mary has been feeling a strong urgent need in her body—unlike anything she’s ever experienced before—that life is about to change.
I’m imagining it’s nightfall as they are turned away, door after door. I see fear creep up beside Mary—even climb up on the donkey beside her and whisper in her ear—you are alone. You will not survive this. You should have stayed with your family. The baby will not live.
The enemy didn’t want the baby to live. While he might not have “known” all the details, he suspected something was up. So his whispered words of discouragement were ceaseless. However, he didn’t know the strength in this young woman. Mary fought back.
Mary pulled her mind back to the promise from the angel sent from God. She was forceful in doing so. As Joseph went from door to door, looking for a bed for his bride, Mary’s resolve returned. She would not allow fear to reign. Her infant King would have the only throne in her life.
As they left the last house in the square, the door jerked back open as the man yelled after them, “Wait! I just remembered, there is a stable where I keep my animals. You are welcome to that tonight.” The man [maybe] handed them a small loaf of bread, sharing what he had with the thankful trio.
A sigh of relief is heard as Mary is helped from the back of the beast of burden and she cradles her infant, yet in the womb as she walks slowly to the entrance of the cave like dwelling.
Just a stable, simple, yet adequate for them. We pause with Mary as she looks around, wrinkles up her nose a bit at the smell. The hay, the scent of the animals that have come and gone…
A sharp pain over takes her thoughts and she doubles over—Joseph rushes from unloading the donkey and helps her find a place to rest on the blanket covering a mound of fresh hay. Mary tells him she’s fine, to “finish up” his task.
Mary was with Elizabeth as John was born and knows there is much pain ahead. She tightens her resolve and it’s seen on her face as we watch. Unable to speak, Mary gets as comfortable as possible, giving Joseph instructions as he goes about getting ready the supplies they brought.
“It may be a while”, Mary says as he leans in and brushes her hair back from her sweat soaked face.
“God is here, I am here, you will be fine”, Joseph says, as much to himself as to Mary.
That night, as the fire crackled and the animals watched, a King was born.
The stars sang, the shepherds came, all in wonder of the glorious happening that seemed to permeate the night sky.
We watch, completely at peace, in amazement to what we have just witnessed, as Mary cradles our infant King in her arms. You see, this Babe, is not just Mary’s. This is our Redeemer. Our King.
We are here today, because He was born as a helpless baby on that day.
Today, we are approaching another day—the pains of birth are being felt all over the world by true believers. Things are happening—and changing the lives of those who resolve to trust—to believe and have the faith that God—who sent HIS only Son to a world that would treat Him with untold cruelty, that these changing times are changing hearts.
You either believe or you don’t. If you believe—truly believe, your life will show the evidence.
You will continue to ride to the unknown, in complete trust of Him. You will leave family and friends if He so requires it of you. You will teach that class of children—because the burning desire to see them grown in knowledge of Jesus Christ will overtake your fear of “how do I do this?”
Many today are facing things they never expected….yet they believe and trust in their soon coming King.
The King really is coming. And it’s sooner rather than later.
Today, if you have never put your faith in Him—if you’ve never asked Jesus Christ to become Lord of ALL your life, I invite you to do so…while you have the opportunity.
It’s not food, gas and housing you will need for the return of this King…it’s salvation through life in Christ.
The King IS Coming.
© 2012 Angie Knight. The Knightly News. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Amen, The King is coming.
“Her infant King would have the only throne in her life.”…
Yes, yes, yes! Our God reigns! Thank you for painting this picture of Emmanuel…
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus…
Amen, glory hallelujah, praise God, thank you Jesus, thank you my sweet Lord, thank you for saving my soul