UNDERDOGS! One of the things that stands out among our society is that it seems most people are for the “underdogs” whether that is in sports or just life in general. Philip Yancey in commenting on the biblical records of the birth of Christ said this, “Yet as I read the birth stories about Jesus, I cannot help but conclude that though the world may be tilted toward the rich and powerful, God is tilted toward the underdog.” Looking at my own life I am thankful that God is for the “underdog” because if He wasn’t there could certainly have been great times of discouragement during the course of my life. Satan is great at using situations in life to discourage us as Christians but thankfully Jesus is there to help us “underdogs” through tough times.
Jesus, of course, is here for everyone including the rich and powerful but it is clear that He spent most of His time on planet earth among the poor, beginning at birth and ending on the cross. It was the “underdogs” of life who flocked to Jesus in His earthly ministry. They followed Him along the seashore, on the hills and in the valleys, in the mountains, and even on the sea. People traveled from the northern parts of Israel to Jerusalem and along the Jericho road to hear and see Jesus. The common people loved it when Jesus, with His words and actions, put the religious people in their place and stumped them with questions. But Jesus was always inclusive of those who would follow Him, rich or poor, sinners or God followers, socially powerful or “underdogs.”
When the time came that the baby of Bethlehem grew up, completed His public ministry among the people of Israel, and presented himself as King, He did it among the “underdogs.” As Jesus came in a manger in a stable as a child He also came as a King among the “underdogs.” Many years before the event the prophet Zechariah said this would happen, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey,” (Zechariah 9:9). Yes, Jesus is the King of the “underdog.” But now, Jesus has made us, as Christians, children of the King; we have a royal standing and a heavenly calling that we may rule and reign with Him. Sometimes the “underdogs” do win. After all, with Jesus on our side how can we lose? MERRY CHRISTMAS!
-DR. CHUCK DAVIS
