Advent - "X" - "X Marks the Spot"

December 23, 2011

“So the shepherds went with haste and by searching found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger” (Luke 2:16).

The phrase, “X” marks the spot,” has been around a long time, and many are the claims to its origin. The earliest newspaper photography used an “X” to mark the scene of the crime. “X” is marked by pirates in the place where treasure had been found. “X” marked the spot in navigation searches. Also “X” is a gene expression having to do with the “X” chromosome. So you see “X” is an important directional pointer.

Although a literal “X” is not used, a figurative “X” marks many spots of Biblical importance in the life of Jesus. We’ll start with Bethlehem; this is the spot of Joseph’s and Mary’s city of registration, as told in Luke 2:3.
The shepherds were in the fields watching over their flocks by night; that was the spot to be on that night (Luke 2:17).

The highest heavens and on earth are the spots where the angels glorified God concerning Jesus the Messiah’s birth. Was that concert just for the shepherds or did anyone else hear? The shepherds were in the right spot at the right time! (Luke 2:13-14).
The place of Jesus’ birth and where the shepherds found the baby Jesus was the manger – a simple feeding trough for the farmer’s cattle (Luke 2:12).
Mary’s heart was a spot of purity and praise and a place of pondering all these marvelous things (Luke 1:46-55 & Luke 2:19). It was not clear where they stayed until the time of Jesus’ circumcision and to present Him to the Lord, and the time for Mary’s purification, but the spot for these rituals were in the temple in Jerusalem(Luke 2:21). What a holy place that was!

Jerusalem and the temple were important spots throughout the life of Jesus. As already mentioned, it was the place of His dedication, to present Him to the Lord, along with the place they gave their sacrifices for the birth of their Son (Luke 2:22-24). Also it was in the temple in Jerusalem that Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, was waiting for the coming of the promised Consolation of Israel, Israel’s Salvation and Light to the Gentiles, and when Jesus was brought into the temple, Simeon took Him up in His arms and praised God for letting him see their Messiah; and he blessed Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:25-35). Also, it was in the temple that a widow prophetess came at the same hour. She had not gone out of the temple enclosure for eighty four years but stayed worshipping, praying and fasting. She gave thanks to God and told everyone who was looking for their Redeemer (vs.36-38). What a spot to be!

Nazareth, their home, became a spot where Jesus learned obedience and He grew physically, in wisdom, in understanding and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:51).

The “X” that marked the spots for Jesus teaching were in many places: in the mountains (Matt.5:1-7:29), the temple (Matt.26:55), and wherever He had anyone who would listen (Luke 13:22). After the resurrection He taught the apostles on a mountain in Galilee to which He had directed them to go (Matt.28:16-20). The Hillsides and rooms of lodging became Jesus’ sanctuaries for Prayer. They were spots of solitude – on the mountains (Luke 6:12, in the wilderness (Luke 5:16). Gethsemane was not only a place of prayer but an infamous spot of betrayal by Judas (Matthew 26:36-57). The cross was even a spot for prayer for His executioners (Luke 23:34).

Oh, the wonderful Cross – it was a spotof suffering and death but also a place of salvation, redemption and mercy (Matt. 27:27-54). Then after Jesus’ death they took Him to that spot in the borrowed tomb where they gently laid Him (Matt.27:57-60. The guards thought they had closed the door of the tomb with a stone, but that stone that covered the door was rolled away and the spot where He lay was empty (Matt.27:62-28:6). Because that spot was empty we can know that we will live again! The empty tomb brought hope (Matt. 28:1-10).

After the resurrection, wherever Jesus went became spots of comfort – to Mary at the tomb, to the two on the road to Emmaus, to the eleven apostles at the dining table (Mark 16:9-15) Bethany – what a fitting and blessed spot for Jesus Christ’s ascension. Bethany was where Jesus had raised Lazarus, His friend, from the dead. It was where He had spent many warm and wonderful times with His friends, Lazarus, Mary and Martha. It was at this spot where the finale of this glorious drama unfolded - the ascension. Now again in the presence of the apostles and others, He blessed them and was taken up into heaven (Luke 24:50-51).

We will never be in the same spots, with the same people, but we must remember three of these important spots: the first is the manger with the virgin birth; the second spot is the cross, which took His life on this earth – He died for us. The third is the empty tomb - He's alive! If we trust in these two facts of faith, then “X” will mark the spot for us in heaven forever.


“At the cross where I first saw the Light and the burden of my soul passed away.
It was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day.”
(Ralph E. Hudson)