"And I will strengthen them in the Lord, and they shall walk up and down in His name," saith the Lord. (Zechariah 10:12)
Around the time of the birth of Jesus, an interesting question is posed. Note that by this time, Jesus has already been born in Bethlehem in the days of Judea. The shepherds had come and gone and Herod was king. And, 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 worship Him." (Matthew 2:1-2)
The question again -- :Where is He that is born King of the Jews?"
"Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him." (Matthew 2:2)
It is understandable then that when Herod heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. (Matthew 2:4)
And they told him of a prophecy that the prophets had stated afore. That is, "in Bethlehem of Judaea" for thus it is written by the prophet, "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah, for out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule My people Israel." (Matthew 2:6; Revelation 2:27)
Again, but this time from Micah on the old testament side -- "but thou, Bethlehem, Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me [the Messiah] that is to be ruler in Israel -- whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Therefore, will He give them up, until the time that she which travails hath brought forth, Then the remnant of His brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. And He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the Name of the Lord His God; and they shall abide: for now shall He be great unto the ends of the earth." (Micah 5:2-4)
The prophesied Messiah, to exercise dominion over Israel -- He whose name was mentioned from before, from the days of creation. And now, according to these wise men, the mystery that had been hidden in the bosom of the Father since the beginning of time was about to be revealed in this dispensation.
The promised Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem.
"And they shall call His name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sin." (Matthew 1:21-23)
The Bread of life. The living water wherein partakers never thirst again. The Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6) Our Lord's salvation plan veiled in human sin-prone flesh, and yet without sin.
"Out of thee shall come forth before Me the Messiah, that He may exercise dominion over Israel.'' The son of David. The promised seed. The stone which the builders would eventually reject, even though God Himself was in the world and the world was made by Him but the world knew Him not." (John 1:10-11)
But we are jumping ahead here. Herein, the wise men have seen the star and are decidedly searching for the Christ, because these knew that the son of man had been born. Note that these men were considered the wisest of the wise within that era, and had studied the old testament scriptures and prophecies for knowledge and wisdom. Nevertheless, even these did not know where Jesus lay, because they had to ask Herod.
Nevertheless, Isaiah accurately scribed from whence this Jesus came -- "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)
The greatest love story ever told to mankind. A new King was born who would be known as the King of kings and Lord of lords. But sadly, as we know, Herod did not like the idea of another King in the midst. Thus, Herod wanted to know where Jesus was located too. However, his own moral worldview was corrupted and likewise his motives, as we read the consequences for many families when Herod could not find Jesus.
But the wise men? These continued on their journey until they found their Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ. And when the wise men reached the home where Jesus was, they worshiped Him. The wise men worshiped this same Jesus who would save His people from their sin. (Matthew 1:21-23)
Note that by this time, Jesus was no long a baby in a stable. Indeed, the wise men found the "young child" in a house, but I digress. The entirety of the text in Luke 2 copied below for you learning and edification. As you read one of several gospel accounts regarding the birth of our Lord Jesus the Christ, remember the costly price that our Lord God and Saviour paid for you and I --- so that we might have eternal life.
Note that by this time, Jesus was no long a baby in a stable. Indeed, the wise men found the "young child" in a house, but I digress. The entirety of the text in Luke 2 copied below for you learning and edification. As you read one of several gospel accounts regarding the birth of our Lord Jesus the Christ, remember the costly price that our Lord God and Saviour paid for you and I --- so that we might have eternal life.
He took away our sin once and for all on an old rugged cross. With His precious blood shed, He offers us His love. His mercy. His abundance of grace. His Comforter -- the Holy Ghost -- His Spirit -- the Spirit of God that will lead and guide us into all truth.
This is why we encourage you to press into Jesus, for the volume of the book therein -- as Jesus said -- was written of Him. Let him/her who hath ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.
Luke 2:
"Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the Word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. (Luke 2:1-2)
And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias [Isaiah] the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight." Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."
And ALL flesh shall see the salvation of God. (Luke 3:6)
"And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and ALL flesh shall see together ... for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken." (Isaiah 40:5)
"Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
And the people asked him, saying, "What shall we do then?" He answers and saith unto them, "He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise."
Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, "Master, what shall we do?"
And he said unto them, "Exact no more than that which is appointed you."
And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, "And what shall we do?" And he said unto them, "Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages."
And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I comes, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and will gather the wheat into His garner; but the chaff He will burn with fire unquenchable."
And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, "Thou art my beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased."
[The Holy Ghost descending in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, so that John the baptist would not be misled -- a confirmation of the identity of Jesus to John -- as the scriptures declare].
And Jesus Himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God."
"Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the Word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. (Luke 2:1-2)
And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias [Isaiah] the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight." Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."
And ALL flesh shall see the salvation of God. (Luke 3:6)
"And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and ALL flesh shall see together ... for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken." (Isaiah 40:5)
"Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
And the people asked him, saying, "What shall we do then?" He answers and saith unto them, "He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise."
Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, "Master, what shall we do?"
And he said unto them, "Exact no more than that which is appointed you."
And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, "And what shall we do?" And he said unto them, "Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages."
And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I comes, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and will gather the wheat into His garner; but the chaff He will burn with fire unquenchable."
And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, "Thou art my beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased."
[The Holy Ghost descending in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, so that John the baptist would not be misled -- a confirmation of the identity of Jesus to John -- as the scriptures declare].
And Jesus Himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God."
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