To Begin
I think I now know why most every major character you love had a humble beginning. Why Frodo grew up in the Shire and not in Rivendell - why Rocky was from the streets and not a famous sport's family - why Coach Boone came from a small football league to lead the Titans to a state championship. It's not just because it makes for a good story. It's because it mirrors the greatest story ever written.
You see, these characters are nothing without their humble beginnings. No one cares. Ever person or team each of them faced worked just as hard as they had to achieve the same goal - victory. But these characters, the household names, they are the ones who had humble beginnings - who were outcasts.
Humble Beginnings
Jesus had humble beginnings. Son of God? - sure. There when the stars were created? - you bet. Heir to rule the universe - absolutely. But he was born to a couple of nobodies from nowhere who most people thought were having a child out of wedlock. But that's not all.
When Jesus was 12, he impressed some of the teachers of his day. Things could have turned around. But they didn't. Fact of the matter is, we don't hear from Jesus again until he is 30. Why? Because he's nobody. Just a carpenter. Poor and ordinary like his daddy.
Missed Opportunities
But one day, his cousin starts going off crazy about somebody coming, baptizing with fire. He's a big shot. Gonna change everything. John isn't even worthy to be his servant. One day Jesus surprises his cousin during another message. But John drops everything to proclaim that - here he is. The one he's been talking about. The floor is his. Jesus only need take it. The fame. The glory. The riches. His. Three words. I. Am. He.
He doesn't say them. He simply asks John to baptize him, as he has baptized so many filthy sinners before him. John refuses at first, but how do you say no to Jesus?
John baptizes him, and the people are shaking their heads in confusion, and you begin to think Jesus just screwed everything up. But just then….redemption.
God Himself makes a proclamation from Heaven. "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
If Jesus missed his chance before, there's no mistaking the moment now. Jesus, the floor is yours.
The next verse in the NKJV is "immediately."
The Twist
If I'd been Jesus, the verse would have read, "Immediately Jesus bowed, smiled, waved, and accepted the praise of everyone."
Not so for the actual Jesus.
The next verse reads.
"Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts."
Can you ask for a worse scenario?
What was Jesus thinking? What was John supposed to do now? He just introduced the greatest character in the history of the world, and he immediately walked away, alone, into the wilderness.
What kind of statement is He supposed to be making? Follow me and you'll leave everyone? You'll leave the fame? You'll leave your family? You'll leave the riches?
Yes.
That's right.
Jesus was completely surrendered to the will of the Spirit. And when the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, Jesus flew to the wilderness.
As you look through Jesus' life, you'll see a common theme. He didn't care what anyone thought but God. It seems every time the people are ready to call him king, he runs back to the wilderness to pray - to seek guidance. He woke up early in the morning to pray. He ate with sinners. He healed lepers. He walked humbly, because he never forgot where he came from - the stable. The tiny town that had to room for him.
How about you?
What's your past? No, not your earthly past. Your spiritual past.
It's the same as mine, I'm guessing. The same as his and identical to hers.
Sin.
You see, we all come from the humblest place of all.
We were dead in our trespasses and sins.
Dead.
But God - in His love and mercy chose to send Jesus - to live in filth with us - that we might become alive.
We are all part of the story. We all have humble beginnings.
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