Don't Miss the Savior

Matthew 2:1–12 

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:    “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,         are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;    for from you shall come a ruler         who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. 

We are probably familiar with the three kings that came to see Jesus at His birth. Except there may or may not have been three of them. And they probably weren't kings. And they likely weren't at the manger. But still, the story of these wise men who came from the east to bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh is familiar to the Christmas narrative. These men, who were likely not acquainted with the Jewish Scriptures, followed a star that led them to the one born as King of the Jews. How they knew the significance of this star is unknown, but obviously the Holy Spirit was drawing them to Christ. 

They come to Herod with the news, and in response Herod summons the priests and scribes to figure out where Jesus has been born. These are the priests and scholars who should be eagerly expecting and looking for the Messiah's coming. And here they have evidence that He has come! So what do they do? Nothing. They don't immediately accompany the wise men to Bethlehem. They don't go to see if it's true at all. In fact, we don't hear from this team again. 

Now perhaps there are reasons for their not going. Maybe they were afraid of Herod, who was a blood-thirsty and power-hungry ruler. Maybe Herod didn't tell them why he had summoned them to ask (although that seems unlikely, since the text says the city was troubled with him). Whatever the case, these guys – the ones who should have been the first in line to welcome the Messiah – just disappear in the narrative. They don't pursue their Savior. They missed Jesus' coming in their own back yard, while the wise men traveled from far away to see.  

Today, in the continued hustle and bustle that follows the holiday season, let us not fail to pursue Christ. Let us seek to follow Him, to search for Him diligently, regardless of what our circumstances may be. Pursue Jesus at any cost! 

Supernatural Vision

Luke 2:22–38 

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,    “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,         according to your word;     for my eyes have seen your salvation         that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,     a light for revelation to the Gentiles,         and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. 

Israel's long-awaited Savior had arrived. But we know from history that many missed it – missed Him. They couldn't see who He was or what He came to do. Even his birth went largely unnoticed by many. Yet not everyone missed the Savior's arrival. This scene shows us that even in the temple, those who had eyes to see didn't miss Jesus. 

Simeon knew he would see the Christ before his death. So as he performed the necessary purification rituals with each child coming in, he must've been looking with anticipation. Could this child be the one? Is this the Messiah God has promised His people? At last, he sees Jesus. And supernaturally, he knows. He knows that God has fulfilled His promise. He knows that salvation has come, not only to the Jews, but to Gentiles as well! He even sees in God's glorious plan the humiliation and execution of Jesus by His own people. Nevertheless, salvation is at hand, and he praises God for it! 

The prophetess Anna likewise begins praising in this hour. The text is unclear if she sees Jesus or is witness to Simeon's pronouncement. But what is clear is that she praised God and declared Jesus' coming to the people. She had eyes to see – perhaps not physical sight, but for sure supernatural sight. 

Would that God would grant us greater supernatural sight into the fulfillment of His promises in the person and work of Jesus! May we see, and as a result of spiritual sight, give God the glory and proclaim Christ to the world around us! 

The Savior Is Born!

*my apologies for never getting a post written for yesterday. It was a bit of a crazy day!

Luke 2:1-21

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
               “Glory to God in the highest,
                              and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

In July, our first daughter was born. Yes, I cried when I first heard her, and then when I saw her, and then when I got to hold her. A little bit later, I got to press the button that plays a lullaby throughout the hospital to let everyone know a baby was born. As Brahms Lullaby played, I was beaming with joy. The whole hospital knew that a precious life had entered the world.

When Jesus was born, all of heaven rejoiced. An angelic host proclaimed the Christ, the Savior had been born in Bethlehem. The host appeared to a group of shepherds, who didn’t have the highest place in society. These shepherds wasted no time to examine the news, and found it to be true. Jesus, the Christ, had been born. They praised God and they told everyone what they’d heard. They couldn’t help it! This was good news for everyone, and they had to share this joyous news!

The good news about Jesus, who saves His people from their sins, demands to be shared. Not out of begrudging duty, but out of overwhelming joy. Christ has come to set us free. He died for our sins and rose for our justification, that we might walk in new life, knowing Him and knowing God. Hallelujah! Spread the news this Christmas!

When John Met Jesus

Luke 1:39–56

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
And Mary said,
               “My soul magnifies the Lord,
                              and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
               for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
                              For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
               for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
                              and holy is his name.
               And his mercy is for those who fear him
                              from generation to generation.
               He has shown strength with his arm;
                              he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
               he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
                              and exalted those of humble estate;
               he has filled the hungry with good things,
                              and the rich he has sent away empty.
               He has helped his servant Israel,
                              in remembrance of his mercy,
               as he spoke to our fathers,
                              to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

This time last Christmas, my wife and I knew we are expecting, and we found out right before Christmas that we were having a girl. Our family was quite ecstatic to say the least. We were excited as well. So when Mary greeted Elizabeth on their visit, we probably shouldn’t be surprised that there was joy. But we should be surprised at who expressed they joy.

The text tells us that John leaped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb. It speaks volumes. Yes, the unborn child is alive. Yes, the Holy Spirit can work even in the womb. Implications abound from these realities. But let’s not get caught up there. It’s not about John jumping for joy, but why he jumped for joy. Elizabeth articulates it well Even before Jesus is born, she acknowledges that He is her Lord. It is the presence of the Lord Jesus that brings the joy.

This leads Mary to break out in song celebrating God’s work. His upside-down work. He visits the lowly and passes over the proud. Think about it: Jesus wasn’t born among royalty in a palace. He was born to common citizens with no fancy lodging.

O what joy that God reaches the humble and the lowly, and o how this should drive us to humility this Christmas. Jesus came to us as sinners to bring us salvation. Hallelujah! Leap for joy!

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Bearing Shame for Jesus

Matthew 1:18–25 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:     “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,         and they shall call his name Immanuel”     (which means, God with us). [24] When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, [25] but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. 

Shame is a powerful tool. In biblical times, the honor/shame dynamic plays an important part in cultural life. Often times we think of the story of Joseph in simplistic ways, that he thought about breaking his engagement to Mary because she was pregnant until the angel told him it was okay. But there's much more going on than that. 

The common society would have only one explanation for Mary's pregnancy. Since virgins don't get pregnant, her pregnancy would point to immorality. So what does this have to do with Joseph? Well if Mary had been unfaithful to Joseph, then she would bear the shame, and Joseph would call off the engagement publicly, thus sealing the shame on her head. But if he stayed, people would assume that they had committed immorality together thus resulting in her pregnancy. So if Joseph stays, his honor is tarnished by accusations and assumptions of immorality. This would affect his standing I the community among colleagues, friends, and relatives. Joseph, in staying, bears that shame. 

Those of us who follow Christ will face shame of some sort. Either through name-calling or derision, rejection or even persecution, the world tells us that we should be ashamed for following Christ. But Paul tells us, citing the Old Testament, that we who trust in Christ and confess Him will never be put to shame (Romans 10:11). Think about it – we trust in the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16), the one Whom will one day be confessed Lord of all by every tongue and every nation (Philippians 2:11). There is unspeakable honor for those of us who have aligned ourselves with Jesus, honor that no shame heaped upon us by the world can ever tarnish.  

So we can bear the shame of following Christ. We can bear relatives who might think we are ridiculous for our commitment to faith in His name. Stay faithful, and bear the world's shame! 

The God of the Impossible

Luke 1:26–38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

When the angel gave news to Zechariah that his wife would conceive, he found it hard to believe and asked for a sign. He and his wife were both older, and they hadn't had any children. The prospects didn't look good for them. From their perspective, God would have to do something near impossible.
If the news given to Zechariah was hard to believe, imagine what Mary thought of the news that came to her! Zechariah and his wife at least had the context of marital relations through which conception would happen. Mary didn't even have that – she was a virgin. Gabriel's message to Zechariah was difficult, but the message he gives to Mary is impossible. 

 
Mary is going to conceive supernaturally and give birth to a son. But this isn't just any son. Not even an important son like John would be. No, this was none other than the Son of God – the second person of the Trinity – entering the world through Mary's womb. God was going to have to do the impossible. Gabriel even assures her that nothing is impossible with God. 

It reminds me of Jesus talking to His disciples after His conversation with the rich young ruler. He tells His followers that it's easier to put a camel through the eye of a needle (no, not some small gate like some believe) than for the rich to enter the kingdom. This prompts His disciples to asked if anyone can be saved. Jesus responds, "What is impossible with man is possible with God" (Luke 18:27). Man cannot save himself, but God can save him, because God is the God of the impossible! 

Maybe this Christmas you are facing great difficulties. Maybe there's that relative who hasn't embraced the gospel. Maybe there is family hurt or loneliness. Maybe the whole holiday seems hopeless and impossible to get through. During this season and whatever trials you may face, turn to the God of the impossible! Hope in Him alone to carry you through!

Prepare the Way!

Luke 1:5-25

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Have you ever gone a long time without hearing from someone? You start to wonder if everything is okay. Maybe you even begin to panic. Maybe you wonder if the person even cares about you. Maybe you experience all these things. And then, you get that letter. Or than phone call. Relief! Joy!
This is the situation the people of Israel found themselves in. They hadn’t had a prophet or a direct revelation from God in 400 years. Some people call these the “silent years.” And a lot had happened to the people of Israel – conquered by the Greeks, a war for independence, and then conquest by the Romans. Where was God? Why wasn’t He helping His people out?
In light of this, I think we could agree that Zechariah’s skepticism is justified. But something great is happening. In all those silent years, God was at work, doing something bigger than anyone could imagine. The Greeks brought a common language to the empire. The Romans connected their empire through roads. The scene was set for news to travel easily. Good news.
So God breaks onto the scene here and, through the angel Gabriel, announces the coming Elijah (see Malachi 4). John the Baptist is coming, the forerunner to Messiah Jesus. John will prepare the way for Jesus to begin His redemptive work in the world. Between the Testaments, God was making the world ready. Through John, He would begin to make his people ready. Because redemption is coming. Glory is coming. Grace and truth are coming. Jesus is coming. Prepare the way!

Beholding His Glory

John 1:14–18

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

You've probably heard the story of the little girl who was getting ready to color in Sunday school. Her teacher asked her what she was going to draw, to which she responded, "I'm drawing God." Her teacher said, "But no one knows what God looks like." The little girl says, "They will when I'm done."
It's true that no one has seen God, but that doesn't mean we don't know what He is like. John tells us here that Jesus reveals to us the Father. He is, after all, the Word made flesh. Think about it – the diving Son, cosmic Creator wrapped Himself in skin and entered into creation with all the limitations we face. He had to learn to walk and talk. He got tired. He would need to take bathroom breaks. Jesus entered into the full human experience. And in so doing He brings us grace and truth. In fact, He was full of grace and truth. The grace and truth Jesus gives aren't from some limited supply, nor does He dispense them sparingly. He is full of it, and He overflows with it.
Jesus may not be physically on earth right now, but that does not mean we cannot behold His glory. Through His Holy Spirit given to us, we can still see His glory; we can still know the Father through Him. Also, the Scriptures from beginning to end testify to Jesus. By the Spirit and the Word, we can experience the glory of Jesus this Christmas. Look for Him. Behold His glory!

Who We Celebrate

John 1:1–5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Jesus wasn't born on December 25. I know, big shocker there, right? As you know, we really don't know when Jesus was born, but the Church has historically celebrated on this date, so that's why we continue to this day. But that's not what this post is about.


Jesus's life didn't begin at His birth. In fact, His life didn't begin at all. John 1 lets us know that. Refering to Jesus here as "the Word," John tells us that the subject of his gospel didn't start life as a baby in a manger. No, He has always been. He is divine, one with God and yet separate from God. And He hasn't sat in heaven twiddling His thumbs until He makes His grand appearance on earth. Jesus has been active since the creation.


John tells us that everything was made though Jesus, a truth also stated by Paul in Colossians 1:16. The earth, the sky, the stars, plants, animals, humans...EVERYTHING. Think about that. Jesus enters into the creation that He created. One of Jesus's names in the Bible is "Immanuel" which means "God with us." He truly is God with us.


So we don't just celebrate the birth of a baby. Not even just the birth of a noble or important baby. We are celebrating God coming into our world as a baby. Orient your hearts to this truth today. Worship Christ the Lord!

Being Berean: Search the Scriptures

Imagine the absurdity of a teacher entering the classroom and boldly declaring, "The world is flat. There is no need to look it up; I am the teacher and therefore I know what I'm talking about. Just trust me." Or perhaps the doctor who says, "All you have to do to cure your disease is eat a bag of peanut M&Ms every day for the rest of your life. I'm the doctor; I know what I'm talking about, so just do it." A teacher or doctor like this likely wouldn't be in that field for long. Why? We tend not to trust such absolutist claims that aren't grounded in something.
And yet in matters of faith, a very different phenomenon arises. Many people just simply trust the "Christian" label and say that we should accept it as valid. People might point to experience: "This helped me, so it must be good." "Other people have really benefited from this, so how can it be a bad thing?" Others might point to results: "So many people hear this guy's teaching, therefore what he is doing is good." He's helping so many people; we shouldn't reject him because of that." But should this be how it is?

A "New" Message from a Famous Jew
Paul traveled the ancient world preaching forgiveness and justification in Jesus (Acts 13:39). Many people believed Paul's message and trusted in Jesus. Paul's reputation was known: the former persecutor of the church was now proclaiming the very teaching he sought to wipe out. In Acts 17:10, Paul and his companions are sent to Berea, where Paul followed his usual pattern of preaching in the synagogue.
The Jews in Berea had likely heard reference to "the Way" (an early title for the Christians) and the Jesus who they claimed was Messiah and had risen from the dead. Now with Paul in their midst, they are hearing the clear gospel. The Bereans do not merely accept Paul's message though; they want to confirm it. And this, the Scripture says makes them more noble. But it wasn't the effects or the results that they examined. They examined the Scriptures to determine if it was true (Acts 17:11).

Being a Berean
As Chrsitians today, we need to not be "quick" to accept everything that claims to be from God as being from Him. Everyone who claims to speak for Christ may not be  from Him. The apostle John says of Antichrists that they "went out from us, but they were not of us" (1 John 2:19). Popularity, experiences, and results are not accurate indicators of a teacher's accuracy or credibility. The question before us is: Is what they are saying in line with the Scriptures? To answer that, we must search the Scriptures, study them prayerfully and carefully, to determine if the things we are hearing are accurate. Don't buy everything you hear; be a Berean, and search it out for yourself.

A Willing Spirit, a Weak Flesh

“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

A willing spirit needs the power of the Holy Spirit in order to overcome temptation.

On the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus and His disciples went to the garden of Gethsemene to pray. Jesus is agonizing over what is about to take place, and he asks Peter James and John to pray in one spot while he went to another spot. Knowing what was coming, Jesus earnestly prays for another way, but surrenders to the Will of His heavenly Father. He comes back and find the disciples asleep, and tells them, “Watch and pray. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Just before this episode, Jesus predicts that the disciples will desert Him and that Peter will blatantly deny Him three times. Peter and the disciples proudly assert their allegiance to Jesus. It becomes abundantly clear where their confidence lies when Jesus rebukes them – they think they can do it of themselves, but He tells them they must watch and pray.

Likewise with me. I cannot trust in myself to refuse temptation. I must seek the Spirit’s help and power to operate in my spirit so that I may remain faithful to Jesus. Our flesh is too strong for us to overcome. We need to seek God to grant us victory over temptation.