277. Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3

Jesus prayed.

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." (Mark 1:35)

We read about Jesus being baptized, preaching the gospel, healing the sick and not being able to enter cities because "All men seek thee" (Mark 1:37).  Who are we to think that we are busier than Jesus?  Yet Jesus rose early in the morning, a great while before day, departed to a solitary place, and prayed.

Spend time meditating on this verse.

276. Matthew 2

King.

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judeaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to wrship him.  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him."  (Matthew 2:1-3)

When you find that Jesus is King, you’ll respond in either of 2 ways:  you’ll try to be King over Him, or let Him be King over you.

 Satan thinks he will be king:

“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:  I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:13-14)

 “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan:  for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve.”  (Matthew 4:10)

-----However------

Jesus:
Was prophecied to be King:

"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke 1:32-33)

Lived as King

"And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olivess, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the Name of the Lord: Peace in Heaven and Glory in the Highest.  And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.  And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."

Died as King

"And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS"

Rose from the Dead as King

"And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail.  And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him." (Matthew 28:9)

Now lives as King

"And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke 1:33)

"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." (Revelation 17:14)

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" (Colossians 1:12-13)

Is coming again as King

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns;  and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:  and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And he sat on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS (Revelation 19:11-16)

--It's not a question of who will be king.  For He who is the King has always been, and will forever be...King.  And He says to you, and to me, "Follow Me."

275. Matthew 1, Luke 2

A Shepherd of Shepherds.   

Luke 2:9-11 "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:  and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

I always imagined this being many angels brining this news.  It was one angel, the angel of the Lord. 

A shepherd would guard a flock of sheep and protect them from being devoured by other animals.  Sheep are wayward animals, and I imagine them as being frightened easily, as a young lamb.  In this instance, the shepherds become greatly afraid, almost as if they are now the sheep needing comfort.

It is said that the shepherds were the lowliest in society.  Why would God send an angel to bring this message to the shepherds?  

I think it was because the chief Shepherd was born that night.  (1 Peter 5:4 "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.")  

I think God in His word is preparing us for the life of Jesus.  How even though He was a shepherd, He would become like His sheep, to become the spotless one of them, and be offered as the perfect sacrifice on their behalf, as the perfect Lamb of God.

Soon.....Jesus is coming back...as the chief Shepherd.

(Philippians 2:6-11:  "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.")

I think He also came to these shepherds because of Luke 2:10 "...which shall be to all people." From the very day of His birth, Jesus was pronounced as "Savior" Luke 1:11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."  All men who believe in the name of Jesus can be saved, from the greatest in power to the lowliest in society.

274. Luke 1, John 1

Trust.

(Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible.")

This does not say "For with God nothing was impossible."  This might lead you to believe God in times past overcame impossibilities, but has chosen not to now.

It does not say "For with God nothing is impossible."  This statement is true.  Of course we believe that God in His infinite power and wisdom is not limited in what He choses. Nothing can hinder Him.

However...the way it says "For with God nothing shall be impossible"...

This reinforces verses like Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."  

"nothing shall be impossible" says God will not lie, and will bring about whatever He says He will.  (Numbers 23:19 "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it?  Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?")

"For with God nothing shall be impossible" echoes Jesus when He said to His disciples (and to you and me) "Follow me." (John 1:43).

As a Christian God has a purpose for you and for me, and He has given us the answer to all our questions of "How, When, What, Where, Why?".    His answer:  "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

What beauty in mystery.  How great the anticipation.  How trusting is this love relationship we have with God!

The angel delivered God's will for Mary to have a baby which would be Christ, and told Elisabeth who was barren she would have a son.  These women did not see the promise happen immediately after the angel dissappeared.  But they were left trusting God that He would do what He said He would do.  They had faith that it would come to pass. 

This is the hope in the relationship we have with the Father through Jesus Christ.  God is a God of now.  You are not guaranteed tomorrow.  God wants your trust, your faith for this moment.  He simply says "Follow Me."  No questions asked.  Just Follow.  Take Jesus by the hand and go wherever He leads.