The Desire of Ages
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 4: Unto You a Saviour
This chapter is based on Luke 2:1-20.
The King of glory stooped low to take humanity. Rude and
forbidding were His earthly surroundings. His glory was veiled, that the
majesty of His outward form might not become an object of attraction. He
shunned all outward display. Riches, worldly honor, and human greatness can
never save a soul from death; Jesus purposed that no attraction of an earthly
nature should call men to His side. Only the beauty of heavenly truth must draw
those who would follow Him. The character of the Messiah had long been foretold
in prophecy, and He desired men to accept Him upon the testimony of the word of
God. {DA 43.1}
The angels had wondered at the glorious plan of redemption.
They watched to see how the people of God would receive His Son, clothed in the
garb of humanity. Angels came to the land of the chosen people. Other nations
were dealing in fables and worshiping false gods. To the land where the glory
of God had been revealed, and the light of prophecy had shone, the angels came.
They came unseen to Jerusalem, to the appointed expositors of the Sacred
Oracles, and the ministers of God's [44] house. Already to
Zacharias the priest, as he ministered before the altar, the nearness of
Christ's coming had been announced. Already the forerunner was born, his
mission attested by miracle and prophecy. The tidings of his birth and the
wonderful significance of his mission had been spread abroad. Yet Jerusalem was
not preparing to welcome her Redeemer. {DA 43.2}
With amazement the heavenly messengers beheld the
indifference of that people whom God had called to communicate to the world the
light of sacred truth. The Jewish nation had been preserved as a witness that
Christ was to be born of the seed of Abraham and of David's line; yet they knew
not that His coming was now at hand. In the temple the morning and the evening
sacrifice daily pointed to the Lamb of God; yet even here was no preparation to
receive Him. The priests and teachers of the nation knew not that the greatest
event of the ages was about to take place. They rehearsed their meaningless
prayers, and performed the rites of worship to be seen by men, but in their
strife for riches and worldly honor they were not prepared for the revelation
of the Messiah. The same indifference pervaded the land of Israel. Hearts
selfish and world-engrossed were untouched by the joy that thrilled all heaven.
Only a few were longing to behold the Unseen. To these heaven's embassy was
sent. {DA 44.1}
Angels attend Joseph and Mary as they journey from their
home in Nazareth to the city of David. The decree of imperial Rome for the
enrollment of the peoples of her vast dominion has extended to the dwellers
among the hills of Galilee. As in old time Cyrus was called to the throne of
the world's empire that he might set free the captives of the Lord, so Caesar
Augustus is made the agent for the fulfillment of God's purpose in bringing the
mother of Jesus to Bethlehem. She is of the lineage of David, and the Son of
David must be born in David's city. Out of Bethlehem, said the prophet,
"shall He come forth . . . that is to be ruler in Israel; whose
goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity." Micah 5:2,
margin. But in the city of their royal line, Joseph and Mary are unrecognized
and unhonored. Weary and homeless, they traverse the entire length of the
narrow street, from the gate of the city to the eastern extremity of the town,
vainly seeking a resting place for the night. There is no room for them at the
crowded inn. In a rude building where the beasts are sheltered, they at last
find refuge, and here the Redeemer of the world is born. [47] {DA 44.2}
Men know it not, but the tidings fill heaven with rejoicing.
With a deeper and more tender interest the holy beings from the world of light
are drawn to the earth. The whole world is brighter for His presence. Above the
hills of Bethlehem are gathered an innumerable throng of angels. They wait the
signal to declare the glad news to the world. Had the leaders in Israel been
true to their trust, they might have shared the joy of heralding the birth of
Jesus. But now they are passed by. {DA 47.1}
God declares, "I will pour water upon him that is
thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground." "Unto the upright there
ariseth light in the darkness." Isaiah 44:3; Psalm 112:4. To those who are
seeking for light, and who accept it with gladness, the bright rays from the
throne of God will shine. {DA
47.2}
In the fields where the boy David had led his flock,
shepherds were still keeping watch by night. Through the silent hours they
talked together of the promised Saviour, and prayed for the coming of the King
to David's throne. "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the
glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the
angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great
joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." {DA 47.3}
At these words, visions of glory fill the minds of the
listening shepherds. The Deliverer has come to Israel! Power, exaltation,
triumph, are associated with His coming. But the angel must prepare them to
recognize their Saviour in poverty and humiliation. "This shall be a sign
unto you," he says; "Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger." {DA 47.4}
The heavenly messenger had quieted their fears. He had told
them how to find Jesus. With tender regard for their human weakness, he had [48]
given them time to become accustomed to the divine radiance. Then the joy and
glory could no longer be hidden. The whole plain was lighted up with the bright
shining of the hosts of God. Earth was hushed, and heaven stooped to listen to
the song,—
"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, good will toward men." {DA 47.5}
Oh that today the human family could recognize that song!
The declaration then made, the note then struck, will swell to the close of
time, and resound to the ends of the earth. When the Sun of Righteousness shall
arise, with healing in His wings, that song will be re-echoed by the voice of a
great multitude, as the voice of many waters, saying, "Alleluia: for the
Lord God omnipotent reigneth." Revelation 19:6. {DA 48.1}
As the angels disappeared, the light faded away, and the
shadows of night once more fell on the hills of Bethlehem. But the brightest
picture ever beheld by human eyes remained in the memory of the shepherds.
"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,
the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see
this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And
they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a
manger." {DA 48.2}
Departing with great joy, they made known the things they
had seen and heard. "And all they that heard it wondered at those things
which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and
pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising
God." {DA 48.3}
Heaven and earth are no wider apart today than when
shepherds listened to the angels' song. Humanity is still as much the object of
heaven's solicitude as when common men of common occupations met angels at
noonday, and talked with the heavenly messengers in the vineyards and the
fields. To us in the common walks of life, heaven may be very near. Angels from
the courts above will attend the steps of those who come and go at God's
command. {DA 48.4}
The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme. In it is
hidden "the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of
God." Romans 11:33. We marvel at the Saviour's sacrifice in exchanging the
throne of heaven for the manger, and the companionship of adoring angels for
the [49]
beasts of the stall. Human pride and self-sufficiency stand rebuked in His
presence. Yet this was but the beginning of His wonderful condescension. It
would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man's
nature, even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted
humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like
every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of
heredity. What these results were is shown in the history of His earthly
ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations,
and to give us the example of a sinless life. {DA 48.5}
Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the
courts of God. He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned. He hated
Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. Yet into the world where
Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe, subject
to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet life's peril in common
with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must
fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss. {DA 49.1}
The heart of the human father yearns over his son. He looks
into the face of his little child, and trembles at the thought of life's peril.
He longs to shield his dear one from Satan's power, to hold him back from
temptation and conflict. To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk,
God gave His only-begotten Son, that the path of life might be made sure for
our little ones. "Herein is love." Wonder, O heavens! and be
astonished, O earth! {DA
49.2}
Click here to read the next chapter:
"The Dedication"
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