Bathsheba. This is not a name that makes it on top 10 list of names for baby girls. Unfortunately the name is associated with unfaithfulness, murder, and pain.

We don’t know a lot about Bathsheba. We know that she was married to a man named Uriah and from what we can tell he was a good man. He was faithful to the King and loyal to his fellow soldiers (2Sam. 11:11). We are also told that Bathsheba was very beautiful (2Sam. 11:2). So beautiful, in fact, that David took notice of her and, while her husband was off on the battlefield, David sent for her.

There are many things we can speculate about. Why did she go? Why didn’t she refuse? Why would she betray her husband like that? Perhaps back then you did not refuse the King unless you were willing to lose your life. But these are questions we won’t have answer to.

Interestingly it is David who is blamed for her shame (2 Sam. 11:27). He knew she was married and took his power for granted.  One big sin lead to other big sins and some serious consequences.

Whether we think of Bathsheba as a willing participant or a victim, life became very difficult for her. She found out she was pregnant with the Kings baby. I can only imagine how panicked she must have felt. Days later her husband dies in battle and she truly mourned for him (2 Sam. 11:26) . She becomes the wife of the King and her baby grows sick and dies.

But God is a God of mercy and grace. David repented of his sin and God used him and Bathsheba to continue the family line that would lead to Jesus.

Tonight is Christmas Eve, and this child that we will sing about and celebrate came to save people like Bathsheba and Rahab, like Tamar and Mary, and sinners like you and me. He was born to die for the lost, the wicked, the liars, and cheaters. Jesus became a man to rescue the haters and the unjust. He came to save the unfaithful.

We have been unfaithful to our God.  We have chosen others over God’s love. We have turned away from God and found ourselves in ruin and need of rescue. This is why the baby in the manger is so precious. This baby, that the shepherd worshiped, would one day be nailed to a cross in order to fulfill his purpose on earth:   to appease the wrath of the Father and procure for us eternal life.

Tonight we remember Mary and Joseph as first time parents in a stable in Bethlehem gazing at their child –  the Son of God. But no matter what time of year it is or what we are studying we must always keep one eye on the cross.  This was why he was born in the first place.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Looking To Jesus,

Jen Thorn

Jen Thorn grew up in Germany and then spent her teenage years in Africa, where her parents were missionaries. She moved to the United States for college and attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where she met her husband. They have been married for twenty-two years and have four children. Jen lives in the suburbs of Chicago, where her husband is the pastor of Redeemer Fellowship. Jen is passionate about theology and the connection to daily living.