Matthew 2
This morning I see several things: The wise men were looking expectantly to the heavens. God certainly knew in advance that they would be, so he provided a star to stoke their curiosity. The star alone was not enough, they had to dig into the texts to discover what it meant. God also knew they would do this, so he told prophets to write about it many years beforehand. Those who recognize the signs God provides and seek in His Word for answers can still find guidance today. Secondly, I notice the resistance to the Messiah. Herod did everything he could to make sure Jesus never grew up. Since God knows everything in advance, He knew that the babies in Bethlehem and the surrounding area would be killed…and He went through with the plan anyway. I love that God told us in advance there would be casualties in this war, so that when they happen we wouldn’t lose heart by thinking we were wandering out of His will. Satan will do anything in his power to make sure we don’t accept Christ, or mature in our faith. He will use circumstances and people to accomplish his goal. That makes me wonder how Mary must have felt when she heard of the newborns death. It reminds me that in order for God’s purposes to be accomplished there must be sacrifice. I have become fond of saying “nothing grows unless something dies”. John the Baptist said “I must become less, and He must become more”.
Thirdly, I marvel at the instructions God gave Joseph on different occasions. We make a big production about Mary (and rightly so) but Joseph often is overlooked. Today I recognize that without Joseph’s obedience Mary might not have survived the pregnancy (she could have been stoned to death), she wouldn’t have traveled to Bethlehem (that was Joseph’s lineage), she wouldn’t have known to flee to Egypt, and the family wouldn’t have traveled to Nazareth in Galilee. I noticed today that Joseph intended to return to Judea, probably to Bethlehem which is nearby Jerusalem in Judea. Since they had been staying in a home there prior, and it was where Joseph’s family came from, it makes sense. But God directed him north to Nazareth. Herods son Archelaus would rule from Jerusalem, and Bethlehem was already on his radar because of the wise men and what his father had done. It was wise to live elsewhere. Of course, God had planned this in advance as well, and foretold the prophets who wrote it all down hundreds of years before it happened. That is a great encouragement to me because it bolsters my faith. There’s no way for someone to manipulate the story line from 500 to 750 years prior to Christ’s birth. And some of the prophecies are beyond the ability of any one person to control. It would have taken thousands of people walking in lock step to make these prophecies come true…and we see from what Herod did that wasn’t the case. It’s no wonder the authors of the New Testament often say “this happened so that what was written would come true”. Knowing that it happened in the way it was prophesied must have bolstered their strength also.
If this finds you today wondering if there really is a God, or if He really is involved in human affairs right down to the finest details. Be encouraged to know that He is! And He knows and cares about what you are going through. Remember the travel and homelessness of Mary and Joseph as well as the death of the newborns to remind you that maturity doesn’t come without sacrifice. Whatever you are going through may be difficult at times, but it will be worth it!
In love with Jesus,
PR
Luke 2:1-38
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. Genera
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!