A Very Special Cave

I've been pondering the Christmas story that I've heard since I was a young girl. And I'm amazed at the intricacy found in the details. I'm astounded at the profound way God's plans are fulfilled. For example, Mary and Joseph would never have planned to make a journey from their hometown of Nazareth to Bethlehem…what a preposterous idea! After all, Mary was nine months pregnant. But God planned it. His prophecy given to Micah would be fulfilled.

It was just a few months ago that I visited Bethlehem and sat in one of its caves. It was not the spot that many tourists visit in hopes that they are seeing the actual birthplace of Jesus. But since no one knows for sure, it could have been. Scholars are fairly certain that the setting of His birth took place in a cave. Not just any cave. But a cave used as a birthing place for special lambs. 

You see, Bethlehem is not far from Jerusalem. Its hills were the home to many grazing sheep with shepherds watching over them. But these flocks had a specific purpose. They were born to become a sacrifice offered to God at the temple in Jerusalem. When a ewe was ready to give birth, she would be taken into a cave for protection. Newborn lambs that were flawless and without blemish were chosen and set apart. Bethlehem birthed lambs considered pure and special enough to be worthy of being the Passover sacrifice.

After birth, these perfect lambs were wrapped in swaddling cloths so they would not become blemished. No scrapes or cuts spilling blood prematurely, no dirty stains from the earth. These little lambs were deemed holy.

Mary also gave birth in a cave. And she wrapped her little newborn in swaddling cloths. Her baby was holy. Born to be the perfect Passover lamb. The perfect sacrifice. Born to save the world. Born to die for us.

Jesus was born in the same place where tens of thousands of lambs were born to be sacrificed. Over and over and over again. But He ended all that. His blood spilled over once and for all … for all sins, past, present and future. 

As I sat in that cave, I was overwhelmed with the truth that ...

Jesus created the cave where He would breathe His first breath, and

Jesus, the eternal Creator, became flesh and walked with mankind, and

Jesus created the tree where He would one day be nailed as He breathed His last breath, and

Jesus had never before experienced being bound by His creation of time and space, and

Jesus had never needed anything ...

Yet He stepped into His creation, submitted himself to the temptations and struggles of life in this fallen world, submitted to its boundaries, became dependent upon a 14 year old mother, and agreed to humbly serve His most beloved creation.

Why? Love. Unfathomable love. Beyond explanation love. Love without limits. Love willing to give all. Love that never fails. Perfect love.

The romance began long ago. But it was revealed for all to see by the coming of a baby born in a cave in Bethlehem. And the love story continues.

I'm loved and desired by that kind of God. Amazing! Absolutely amazing!

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake." 1 Peter 1:19-20.

"Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied."

                                                  Luke 6:21a

Long, long ago I was a docent for an art museum. As part of my responsibility to prepare for the arrival of traveling exhibits, I attended lectures and studied. I never personally met the artists but I learned about them. I searched for answers to questions like "What prompted the artist to paint the subject? Why did the artist choose certain colors? What technique was used?" My studies added depth to each work of art. I could then share what I learned with those visiting the museum.

I find myself doing something very similar today. I love studying the masterpiece that far excels anything man made ... the Bible. I want to know more about the Author. I want to know His ways. I want to know what prompted the words to be written. I want to understand the intent behind the words. I want to know about the culture of that time. So many questions!

A friend asked where my passion lies, and my answer came quickly. "I am passionate about God's Word. I know it lives and is active because I have experienced its power. I know what it means to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. And I love sharing what I am learning." But as much as I've been given, I cannot profess that I'm always content. Perhaps I taste satisfaction for short periods of time, but the hunger for more always returns. I just cannot grasp it all. I have such a limited understanding. The more I read and study, the more I realize I don't know.

Why this passion? I am certain that God draws people to Him in different ways. People are different so that makes sense. My passion for Him began through the reading of His Word. It is in that holy space that He drew me into a living relationship with Him. That is where I met Him. That is where I fell in love with Him. That is where I developed an ever-present desire to know more of Him, His character and His ways. I have questions ... so I read and study. And actually, it is in this holy space where I learn the most about myself, good and bad. 

The words of Jesus found in Luke 6:21 remind me of the "feast" we have available to us in this nation. So many different Bible translations! A plethora of information we can read about the Bible. Commentaries galore! And yes, I am just enough of a nerd that I enjoy reading them. But while I love studying and learning about the culture of ancient times, the root meaning of words and how the Old Testament reveals Jesus, there is always a desire for more. 

Please be encouraged to open up a Bible, read for yourself. And if you want to go deep with others who have questions, join a Bible study. Jesus promises, "Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied." 

And then one day ... yes, one day we will have the Author of the Bible to explain everything face to face. We won't need a commentary or explanation from another's perspective or experience. We will see clearly.

That will be the time, my hunger will be satisfied as with the richest of foods! Totally content! Amen.