I had been trying to reflect on the subject of “a blessing in disguise” this week, and after reading several stories, I concluded that human beings are indeed imaginative. They will make sense out of nonsense, or find meaning out of tragedy, etc.
I too have had to learn, in my Christian journey, that many things that might seem to be a tragedy end up a comedy. At times, I do not understand what is happening around me, but in my journey of faith, I have to agree with the apostle Paul that, “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Yes, I have been wrestling with what the COVID-19 might mean in terms of “a blessing in disguise.” Other persons, I have noted, are struggling with sickness and death from other conditions. And many in the throes of financial distress have been asking how they can find the “blessing in disguise.”
I cannot answer the question(s) for everyone, but I know this, that if God is on the eternal throne, in the most tragic of circumstances, he will find a way to bring triumph out of tragedy. And that is not imagination; it is inspiration and revelation. It is how the Bible interprets the coming of Jesus Christ into the world – A tragedy turned into a blessing.
God found a way to reset the course of history when he sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world as our Savior. Jesus was right there with God the Father on the heavenly throne, but chose to come to earth as a blessing in disguise.
Here is how the apostle Paul frames it in his letter to the Philippians: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (2:5-8, NKJV).
Just imagine what it must have looked like to the angels of God when Jesus Christ decided to come to earth to live among humanity. For the angels in heaven, that was nothing but a tragedy. The creator of the worlds, the head of the heavenly hosts, the Son of the Father, coming to earth “in disguise,” to live among humanity? The angels imagined how challenging it would have been and were very conflicted by the decision. But Jesus left the splendor of heaven and came to earth as “a blessing in disguise.”
We read the whole story in the biblical and some secular histories. Jesus came to earth as a babe in Bethlehem’s manger. Because there was no room for him in the little hotel in the town, a lowly stable became his birthplace. His earthly parents did not look like royalty, and they were not popular in the town. They had come from Nazareth, where they lived, to their ancestral home in Bethlehem to pay taxes, as commanded by Caesar Augustus. No one in town knew Mary and Joseph. There was none to offer a good room, as the time for Mary to deliver her baby was near. The stable was the only option opened to this lowly couple.
When the baby was born, there was no layette set prepared for the child. They wrapped him in whatever pieces of rags they could find; that is what is called “swaddling clothes.” And his bed was not a crib or bassinet, but a feeding trough padded with straws that the animals ate. The record also notes that a few shepherds went to find him there. They went because they heard the song of heavenly angels bearing the message that “a savior is born.”
It is of interest that while the shepherds came to know who he was, the prominent teachers of Israel, the priests, the religious leader were looking for a messiah, but they did not recognize him in his lowly estate. Their minds were clouded by tradition. King Herod did not know of him and was jealous when he learned about a king who had come.
When his parents went to the temple on the day of his circumcision, the priest took him in his arms and treated him as one of the regular boys and had no knowledge that this was Jesus, the son of God, the savior of the world. He took him, prayed over him and handed him back to his parents. In contradiction, an old priest, Simeon, that was present, felt differently about him. He took him in his arms and lifted, saying:
Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
(Luke 2:29-31 ESV).
The parents contemplated what the old priest had said, as he continued: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:34, 35 ESV)
Oh, we cannot forget the little old lady, Anna, who fasted all the time, and one who frequented the temple. She had the same impression as the old priest, Simeon. Just before the parents left with the child, “she went up to them, and she gave thanks to God for seeing the promised Messiah. She spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38)
What is the point that I wish to make? It is this, that Jesus came as a blessing in disguise. Only those who were open to spiritual insight recognized him. He came as the Savior of the world. He came to make us understand the love of God. He came as the bringer of peace. He came as the divine healer. He came as the bringer of grace and mercy. He came as the sinners’ friend. But only a few recognized Him then, and only a few today appreciate Him.
Do you know who He is? Do you recognize “the Blessing in Disguise?”
