Jesus Said, "I Am He That Lives And Was Dead And Behold, I Am Alive For Evermore" - Part 1406

"Where is He that is born King of the Jews?" asked the wise men travelling from the east to Jerusalem. They had seen His star in the east, and desired to come and worship Him. But when Herod the earthly declared king heard these things, he was troubled and all of Jerusalem with him. So much so, that when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where this Christ should be born.

Interestingly, these already knew the answer. They said unto king Herod, "In Bethlehem of Judaea, for thus it is written by the prophet, "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule My people Israel." (Matthew 1:1-6; Revelation 2:27)

"But thou, Bethlehem, Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be a ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2)

The country shepherds abiding in the field also knew of the pending arrival of the King of the Jews -- when the glory of the Lord shone round about them -- and the angel of the Lord came upon them. What did the angel say? "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. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in  a manger." 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, good will toward men." (Luke 2:8-14)

And the man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and the same was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was upon him. He knew as well. "And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy Word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people -- a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel." (Luke 2:25-32)

Indeed, nothing is hid from those who seek the Lord God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. (Mark 12:28-31; Deuteronomy 6:4)

“Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” (Psalm 119:11)
"So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Christ was on this wise ... " (Matthew 1:1-18)

"And for this cause, He [Jesus] is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the testator lives. Whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood ..." (Hebrews 9:15-18)

"This same Jesus whom ye have crucified, said Peter standing with the eleven, "is both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36-47)

Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. He is the One and Only King who loved us enough to visit His people.

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God -- [even] to them that believe on His Name." (John 1:10-11)

Thus, in this current dispensation of grace, God has declared peace and good will toward men. (Luke 2:14) The new testament therefore not a continuation of the old covenant, or simply a blank page between the old and the new, as some claim. Rather, God's plan of salvation revealed to those who gladly respond to His invitation.

"Behold, the Lamb of God!"

Stand in the offering plate.