Matthew 7
Not every chapter has one connecting thought. Matt 7 is sort of like a basket with several types of delicious snacks.
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Matthew 6
God isn’t only observing what you do, He’s considering how you think, and what is motivating you. It’s all part of one larger picture.
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Matthew 5
The Sermon on the Mountain. Everyone calls it “mount” but I like to be different. We’ve all read this many times, I wonder if I can notice anything different this time?
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Mark 3
One of the realities of this life is opposition. No matter what you try to do, there will always be opposition. Today I want to read with that idea in mind.
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John 5
Wow! no need to bite my head off! I just asked a simple question. Three observations this AM, from three thoughts in the Chapter.
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Mark 2
Counter cultural. That’s a good description of how Jesus acted. He forgave sins, He ate with unclean people, He didn’t fast and He claimed to be greater than the Sabbath…one of the Jews most holy and revered traditions.
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John 4
I think I have a new insight on this passage…and it changes my perspective on the importance of living the Christian life.
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Luke 2:1-38
- The references to Augustus and the census, and to Quirinius help us to document the date through other ancient records.
- I noticed that Luke’s record doesn’t say the baby was born the night they arrived. I wonder if they were in the stable for more than a night?
- The radiance of God’s glory surrounded the shepherds. This was more than a bright light that shone down on the earth like a beam of light. This light chased away every shadow, and illuminated all sides of the shepherds. It was more than daylight.
- The vast host might not have been singing. The armies of heaven may have been chanting the phrase in verse 14. It doesn’t say whether the army said it once, or kept saying it. From what is written, it sounds like they said other things as well, because it says they were “praising God and saying” not “praising God by saying” or “as they said”.
- When the shepherds told their story to the people, everyone was astonished. There’s no record here that they were not believed because of their station in life. Generally, people want to believe good news, and news about a deliverer being born was good news indeed.
The shepherds shared and went back to work. Mary meditated on what they said. - I wonder if any of the shepherds lived long enough to see Jesus ministering to the people. Could one of the shepherds been young enough to see Jesus born and crucified? Shepherds were often younger men.
- God orchestrates wonderfully. Simeon “just happens” to be in the temple when Mary and Joseph arrive. That’s because he listened to the Holy Spirit and moved when he was supposed to. I’m so glad that he did! Anna “just happens” to be walking by when Simeon is prophesying and praising God. Anna practically lived at the temple, but it’s a fairly large place with lots of people milling around. This is no less a miracle than Simeon. Interesting that a woman would play such a key role in the announcement of Christ.
- Luke doesn’t mention that Mary and Joseph returned to Bethlehem to stay for awhile. He doesn’t mention the visit from the wise men, or the trip to Egypt. Honestly, that seems odd to me, because Luke has so many other details recorded. (like Mary’s song of praise). Maybe Matthew was already recorded, so he didn’t feel the need to reiterate.
- I’ve mentioned this before: they offered the sacrifice of poor people, two young pigeons. Oddly enough, within a year or two they would be very wealthy because of the gifts of the Magi. (at least we think they were). Some scholars believe that Mary lived out her life on the income from the Magi. I doubt it, honestly.
- Vs 34 says that Jesus was a “sign from God” but he was also much more than that.
Pastor Rick signing off for today. Be blessed!