Sympathetic Resonance

Luke is extremely careful to give us the facts and not the exaggerations when it comes to the most important story in the Bible.  He chooses his words carefully, and they tell the events in simple fashion.  His words provide us with the meaning of Christmas which is summed up in the doctrine of the incarnation. That is a big word that simply means that Jesus became a man while retaining his divinity. Although he voluntarily laid aside the use of his divine attributes, he was both God and man. He didn’t just appear to be a man; he really was a human being. He had a real body in which he experienced real human emotions—even our human weaknesses, and all this he did without ever sinning. Since Jesus was a real baby, he had to learn to crawl, to walk, and to talk. He had to learn how to be a carpenter as a man and all that we have to learn as we grow into adulthood.

The writer of the book of Hebrews says that since Jesus became a man he has the ability to sympathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). Two perfectly in-tune pianos that are in the same room have a sympathetic resonance with each other. When one note is struck on one, the same note will respond on the other piano without being touched by anyone. Since Christ came in the same body we all share, he is capable of feeling our pain, sorrow and disappointment with life. Whatever sadness that originates in our hearts will be felt in the savior’s heart.

Celebrating Christmas biblically means that we embrace the belief that Jesus, who was God throughout eternity, took on the human body which he now continues to retain—all for us. He did this to feel our pain and to share our human experience. He did this to save us from our sins and to give us hope in a hopeless world.

“No One Can Hold Back His Hand”

Following the announcement of the angel Gabriel about the birth of Jesus to Mary, she made a journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth. By the time Mary arrived, the impact of the angel’s words had penetrated deep into her heart. Upon her arrival, the Holy Spirit caused the six-month-old fetus of Elizabeth to leap in the womb. Then Elizabeth declared that Mary was the mother of the Messiah, after which Mary spontaneously delivered her beautiful song.

Mary’s song shares a biblical truth that clearly states how God deals with people. Here is the principle:

“He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble” (Luke 1:51-52).

Perhaps the most notorious example of the arrogant was Nebuchadnezzar who was unbelievably proud. He so fits Mary’s description. He was so self-absorbed that he may have possibly been the world’s greatest narcissist. Even though he had been warned to humble himself, he refused.   Twelve months later as the king was walking on the roof of his palace, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"  (Dan 4:29-30).

Scripture records that the king’s mind snapped and he began to act like a wild animal. He cast aside his royal robes due to his insanity and was found among the wild animals of the field. He remained in this state for seven years. When he came to his senses, here are his words:  “I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?... And those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Dan 4:34-37).

God is able to scatter the proud, as Mary clearly states and Nebuchadnezzar testifies “No one can hold back his hand.” Peter says that it is much more advisable to humble yourself than to have God humble you, " Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:5-6).

Jesus’ life was the complete opposite of Nebuchadnezzar. He humbled himself through his incarnation, life and death on the cross. As a result “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:9-11).

There is enormous pressure from our sinful nature and the influence of culture to be like Nebuchadnezzar in how we live and treat people. Mary warns us that we will be humbled if we choose to live that way. Jesus, on the other hand, teaches us to live humbly so that in due time God can exalt us.