What are some words that mean the same thing as FANCY? (pretty, nice, beautiful, exciting, etc.) Which of these pieces of fabric could be called FANCY? Who might wear the FANCY fabric? What would be the opposite of FANCY? (plain, normal, ugly, gross, etc.) When you think of someone royal, like a king or queen, do you think they would be fancy or the opposite of fancy? Which of these would you want to wear? In the Bible reading today, listen to what people thought when they saw Jesus.
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Did you hear many words about Jesus being FANCY? No! The Bible said he was despised and rejected which means no one wanted to be around him. It says they didn’t think he looked like a king at all. It even said that when people looked at Jesus, there was nothing beautiful.
Are you surprised? Did you think Jesus would wear beautiful, fancy clothes made of velvet with gems and fur? Did you think he would walk around with servants taking care of everything for him and only having fun all day?
The Bible reading tells us that instead of living a fancy life, Jesus knew what it was like to be in pain, to suffer, to be rejected, and to be alone. Why would Jesus choose to live like that when he could have all the fancy things he wanted? We learn later in this same chapter in the Bible that Jesus chose to take on suffering so that we could have his place instead (53:5, 6). He was wrapped in cloth, like the plain scratchy fabric, when he was lying in a manger and lived a life on earth full of suffering and loneliness. Later, when he was grown up, he died to take away our sin and pain and give us a new life fit for a king or queen. When we believe in Him, we join his royal family, and he dresses us in clothes meant for a king or queen!
Did Jesus come the way you would expect the King of the world to come? Most Definitely Not! He was the one everyone had been waiting for—a Savior who died for our sins! He is here, and he will come again!
And that’s not all! 1 Peter 2:9 says that we have been chosen by God to be a royal priesthood and God’s special possession. Even though we are all sinners, God still chose us to be His! Are you someone you’d expect to be in Jesus’ family? Nope, but God sent Jesus for you anyway!
Praise the Lord together and end by singing the song “Joy To The World.”
