KneEmail - a devotional by Mike Benson associated with Forthright Magazine
Parallels
UNDOUBTEDLY, ONE COULD find more contrasts than comparisons between Christ's birth and death...
Yet, a study of both reveals some interesting parallels. Both changed the world and have altered the impact of eternity. Consider the following:
1) At both, He was rejected of men ( Luke 2:7; Mark 15:15).
2) At both, He was cast "outside" ( Luke 2:7; Hebrews 13:12).
3) At both, Mary was there ( Luke 2:7; John 19:26).
4) At both, myrrh was present for use upon Him (Matt. 2:11; John 19:39).
5) At both, there was darkness ( Matthew 2:10,14; Matt. 27:45).
6) At both, His body was wrapped in clothing ( Luke 2:7,12; Mark 15:46).
7) At both, a Herod becomes curiously involved (Matt. 2:7ff; Luke 23:7ff).
8) At both, there was worship-though the first was genuine and the second mocking (Matt. 2:11 and Luke 2:13-14; Mark 15:19).
9) At both, wise men recognized His deity ( Matthew 2:1ff; Mark 15:39 and Luke 23:41)
10) At both, Jew and Gentile were there.
11) At both, He was hailed as King-though one was in earnest and the other in jest (Matt. 2:2; Mark 15:26,32).
12) At both, an "honorable" man named Joseph was present (Matt. 1:19 + Luke 2:16; Mark 15:43).
13) At both we find the chief priests and scribes involved (Matt. 2:4-6; 27:1ff). (Neal Pollard)
KneEmail: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" ( John 1:14).