He Came To Us Helpless

Image credit Jon Ovington on Flickr

He came to us helpless, crying--

couldn't walk, talk, feed himself or

control basic body functions.

But his mind?  Clearly superior--

nothing about him inferior--

unless compared to former state.

He willingly stripped himself of

dignity and power so that he

could relate to our dependence.

Dressed in human limitations,

he endured humiliations

of being knowingly helpless.

He nursed his mother, and I think

he knew when she changed his diaper,

too--part of the price he paid for you

and me to see God's face and know

the rest of the Christmas story:

We Can Know HIM In His Glory!

Because He Who twirled the worlds

came into ours--not as a king

but as Son of God, son of man.

Felt helpless lately?  What a debilitating feeling!  I can only imagine the mortifying blow to personal pride & human dignity of being dependent on others for physical care.  Forced to request & accept help when one has known ability and independence must require grace to keep from screaming.  My own brother, like many others, does this daily--with gratefulness and humor.  Yet I'm certain he chafes at his limitations, feels concerns for his wife and loved ones, longs for a miracle of former independence even while he knows present peace.  

Our Savior, The "Word" Who was with God in the beginning, when He said, "Let there be" and "Let Us make man in Our own image..." without Whom "nothing was made that was made" ..."became flesh & dwelt among us".   He knew perfect oneness and communion with the Father and Holy Spirit, the adoration of angels crying, "holy, holy, holy", perfect order and unimaginable beauty, total power and authority.  He knew that to fulfill God's plan for redemption He would have to suffer pain, rejection, our sin, and curse of the cross before being resurrected to glory.  But He also knew that He would dwell among the lowly (a peasant home, not even earthly royalty) and begin the journey into humanity as a helpless babe.

Men scrap scruples in their greedy grasp for position and power.  Anger flames against those in authority when injustice is perceived.  Some fight for change for their own benefit or personal agenda; others, for those they see as helpless victims.  Before Jesus' birth, the cry of the very people to whom He would identify as His own was for a
mighty deliverer who would free them from oppression.  He did amazingly fulfill all the prophecies for Messiah, but somehow their mind set was on His final return as Conquering King rather than His first coming as the Lamb born in Bethlehem to a young virgin--and the kingdom He wanted to first establish in hearts.

When do you think He became cognizant of His Divinity/humanity?  Many seem to accept that He suddenly knew He was the Son of God at 12 years of age in the temple; others think it may have been a growing awareness.  Who can actually be sure?  Now, I may be totally off, and I'm not trying to "add to" the Bible my personal interpretation.  But, it is my opinion that Jesus was aware of the entire process of the human experience.  How humbling to think that He willingly subjected Himself to the limitations of being knowingly helpless, pre-limiting Himself to communication without words and to having His bottom wiped! That should comfort and confirm to any in like state, or to the elderly who may fear that possibility, that "He was in all points temped such as we..." and that "We have not a High Priest Who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmity". 

Perhaps you are physically whole but feel the frustration of overwhelming helplessness at a situation not of your choosing that you feel powerless to change.  I 

just want to remind you that The Supreme Being became helpless--messy diapers and all!--so that you would know He knows how you feel--but also so that we could have access to His ability to accomplish any change He wills through us.  He wants to shine His glory, His hope in the darkness of hopeless despair & destruction, His difference in us and through us to our world--yes, even in you, in your present messy setting!  Know that He relinquished His power so we could humbly partake of His Divine Nature and authority!  Let's use what He has given and give Him the glory.  And next time you hear a baby cry, thank Jesus for coming to us--not as an intimidating ruler but as an innocent, helpless newborn--so we could be reborn--beloved children of The King!   Emmanuel, "God With Us", a "present help in time of need".  That's God's grace!