God promised in the early December of 2016 that He is going to give me 21 insights on the birth of Christ and the incidents that took place around His birth. It is my fault that I was not able to receive all the 21 insights but I was able to receive 18 of them. With the help of the Holy Spirit I explained all the 18 insights. I hope reading this would be a blessing to the reader as well as me.
A Thought On This Christmas - 1
The Star of the east is not just there to declare the birth of the Christ as our Redeemer but also should remind us of His Second Coming as a Judge.
Jn.3:17, 5:22, Matt.25:31-33, Heb.9:28, 10:30, Dt.32:35.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John.3:17.
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. John5:22.
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews.9:28 (2Corinthians.5:21, He became sin for us).
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Matthew.25:31-33 (Ezekiel.34:17,18).
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. Hebrews.10:30
A Thought On This Christmas - 2
As the light illuminated over the void darkness by the command of the Lord, so do Jesus the Child came into this suppressive, imprisoned, sin darkened world to spread His light of freedom and independence over the world.
Matt.24:27, Jn.12:46, Luke.17:24.
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew.24:27, Luke.17:24.
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. John.12:46.
For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. Luke.17:24.
A Thought On This Christmas - 3
The Wise Men of the Orient reminds us to use our intellectualism to accept the Truth of something amazing has happened in this world, which is the birth of "the King, Christ Jesus".
Acts.17:16-34, Proverbs.2:1-5.
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.... 18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say?...19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, .... 21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) 22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, ... 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, ... 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; 32 ... some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. 34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: ....
Acts.17:16-34.
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs.2:1-5.
The intelligence of these people made them to present their theories before the world but their experience and research at their micro level could not completely deny the existence and the involvement of a Supreme Being (God) behind all this.
Charles Darwin -
In a letter to a correspondent at the University of Utrecht in 1873, Darwin expressed agnosticism: "I may say that the impossibility of conceiving that this grand and wondrous universe, with our conscious selves, arose through chance, seems to me the chief argument for the existence of God; but whether this is an argument of real value, I have never been able to decide. I am aware that if we admit a first cause, the mind still craves to know whence it came from and how it arose. Nor can I overlook the difficulty from the immense amount of suffering through the world. I am, also, induced to defer to a certain extent to the judgment of many able men who have fully believed in God; but here again I see how poor an argument this is. The safest conclusion seems to me to be that the whole subject is beyond the scope of man's intellect; but man can do his duty."
Albert Einstein -
Einstein called himself an agnostic, while disassociating himself from the label atheist said, "I believe in Spinoza’s God, who reveals himself in the lawful harmony of all that exists" (New York Times, April 25, 1929). He said he believed in the "pantheistic" God (Pantheism is the belief that all of reality is identical with divinity, or that everything composes an all-encompassing, immanent god. Pantheists thus do not believe in a distinct personal or anthropomorphic god.) of Baruch Spinoza, (Spinozism - is the monist philosophical system of Baruch Spinoza which defines "God" as a singular self-subsistent substance, with both matter and thought being attributes of such.) but not in a personal god, a belief he criticized.
Stephen Hawking -
Stephen Hawking about God' intelligent design said, “I thought I had left the question of the existence of a supreme being completely open. It would be perfectly consistent with all we know to say that there was a being who was responsible for all the laws of physics.”
“So long as the universe had a beginning, we would suppose it had a creator (the cosmological argument). But if the universe is really completely self-contained, having no boundary or edge, it would have neither beginning nor end: it would simply be. What place, then for a creator?”, “It is difficult to discuss the beginning of the universe without mentioning the concept of God. My work on the origin of the universe is on the borderline between science and religion, but I try to stay on the scientific side of the border. It is quite possible that God acts in ways that cannot be described by scientific laws", “Intelligent design” doesn’t in any way prove that God exists, but only that a “God-like force” played a role in the creation of our Universe, approximately 13.8 billion years ago.
Michio Kaku -
Dr. Michio Kaku, In an interview with Geophysical Association of Anthropological and Cultural Studies he said: “To me it is clear that we exist in a plan which is governed by rules that were created, shaped by a universal intelligence and not by chance.” He made similar statements in an interview with Ferocesmente when he added, “I have concluded that we are in a world made by rules created by an intelligence. Believe me, everything we call chance today won’t make sense anymore.”
A Thought On This Christmas - 4
For the first time in the whole history of mankind, the name of God has been enrolled in the census of humanity; this clarifies the urge of God, who wants to have a close and right relationship with His creation. God is not far from us, but is One among us.
Is.7:14, Matt.1:23, Lk.2:1-5.
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah.7:14.
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew.1:23.
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed or enrolled. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Luke.2:1-5.
A Thought On This Christmas - 5
Mary, the mother of Jesus is the only woman in the history of the advent of our Lord who showed obedience, strong will and a dynamic personality to carry Jesus in her womb.
1. A virgin chosen by God -
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew.1:23.
.... the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. Luke.1:26,27.
2. Obedient to God -
And His mercy is on them that fear (reverence, honour, expressing piety, equivalent to worship, adoration of God) Him from generation to generation. Luke.1:50.
3. A unique way of conceiving the Child -
As the Spirit of God overshadowed the Ark of Covenant, so also the Holy Spirit upon Mary.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Matthew.1:20.
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke.1:35.
4. Accepting to be the part of the plan of God -
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke.1:38.
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Luke.2:35.
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Luke.2:38.
Confessing herself to be blessed to be a part of the plan of God (In future tense form) -
For He had regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed (they shall bless me). Luke.1:48.
5. Facing the challenges -
On their route to Bethlehem on full term - And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Luke.2:4,5.
6. On their route to Egypt -
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: Matthew.2:13,14.
A Thought On This Christmas - 6
When the Lord sent forth light upon the void earth, it itself is an initiative that the Lord has a strong desire to dwell among us.
Genesis.1:3, John.8:12, John.1:1-10, Luke.1:79, Luke.1:35, Leviticus.11:44, 1Peter.1:16, Matthew.1:20.
And God said, Let there be light; and there was light. Genesis.1:3.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John.8:12.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. John.1:1-10.
I believe I could have stopped writing no further, because I quoted about light and I have given verses regarding light which they themselves prove that the light which that spread upon the face of the void earth was Jesus Himself. Moses, John and Jesus Himself accepts that He is the light. But in Luke, though Zachariah speaks about the light that shows the path for people who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death into the way of peace (Luke.1:79), the verse was ambiguous, it may refer to God himself or Jesus. Moreover, Luke.1:35, ".. the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God". The above verse concerning Jesus, dosen't say anything of light, however, we know that Jesus is the light of the world (John.8:12). As light from light so do from Holy to Holy, in Luke.1:35, for "Holy", the greek word "hagios" is used. "The Holy Ghost° shall come upon thee.... therefore also that holy thing* which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God". For the word "hagios" was written in first occurrence written as Holy Ghost°, which is a noun referred to "Lord the Father" ("For I am the Lord your God ..... for I am holy:" Leviticus.11:44, .... Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1Peter.1:16.) and in second occurrence written as holy thing* is an adjective noun referred to Jesus. Hence, as light from light so Holy from Holy. That’s why in Matthew.1:20, ... fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
A Thought On This Christmas - 7
The prophets, their prophecies and the unborn John the baptist encourages us to have faith and joy of hope in the Lord.
1. He would be born of virgin -
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah.7:14.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew.1:22,23.
2. The Child would be given the throne of David -
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. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Isaiah.9:6,7.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. Jeremiah.23:5.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 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: Luke.1:31,32.
3. His throne would be an eternal throne -
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Daniel.2:44.
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luke.1:33.
4. That He would be called Emmanuel -
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah.7:14.
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew.1:23.
5. He would be born in Bethlehem -
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 ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah.5:2.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. Luke.2:4,5,6.
And they said unto him, 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.2:5,6.
6. Worshipped by Wisemen and presented with gifts -
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Psalm.72:10.
v3.And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. v6.The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD. v9.Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. Isaiah.60:3,6,9.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew.2:11.
7. That He en route to Egypt for a season -
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. Hosea.11:1.
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Matthew.2:14,15.
8. That His birth place would suffer a massacre of infants -
Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. Jeremiah.31:15.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. Matthew.2:16-18.
9. That He would be called Nazarene -
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. Hosea.11:1.
And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. Matthew.2:23.
10. He would be a light to gentiles -
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Isaiah.9:2.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John.8:12
There are still number of prophecies left in the life of Jesus. Every prophecy is culminated in the prophecy of Simeon "Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also", Luke.2:35, the crucifixion and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. And because of the resurrection we live in hope. Apostle Paul says, "But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans.4:24-5:5.
A Thought On This Christmas - 8
The rejection of accepting the Child as the King and Lord over them is too small for the Lord, who as a Child with the Star of the East as His Crown, and the Manger in which He lay as His Throne started His reign as King of King's.
Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. John.18:37.
.... 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.
Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 1Timothy.6:15,16.
A Thought On This Christmas - 9
The message of the Child' birth to the shepherds watching, is a good news to all those who are astray and in a great need of a Shepherd to follow.
Jesus certainly knows about his purpose of coming as Messiah. In Matthew.9:36 and Mark.6:34, "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd" and "And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd:". The above two verses speaks of a definite need of a Shepherd. Numbers.27:17, "Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd." Moses was been ordered by God that its time for him to leave. Moses was very much concerned about the Israelites, and their situation in the desert. Moses speaking about the Israelites says "They are like sheep who don't have a Shepherd (leader) to lead them into the Promised Land and asking the Lord for a leader (Shepherd) to lead. Why are we in need of a Shepherd? satan has tempted our ancestor Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden and the consequence was eternal death. The best illustration is given in 2Chronicles.18:1-22. Ahab persuaded Jehoshaphat and his men to make a war on Ramothgilead. Ahab enquired four hundred prophets, who prophesied a sure victory. But Jehoshaphat still wanted someone to prophecy in the name of the Lord and sent for Micaiah, the prophet. Although Ahab had a bad reputation on Micaiah, he sent men to bring the prophet. Micaiah, sure of Ahab's death says that his army is like scattered sheep in the hills wandering around. Micaiah speaks of a vision he saw in which, God was gathered with every creature in heaven around Him and asks who would trick Ahab where he would go to war and be killed. After a brief discussion about this in heaven a spirit got up and came farward to trick Ahab to wage war. This is what exactly has happened with us too. satan who wanted God' creation to be doomed tricked Adam and Eve and made them fall into sin, so that the whole mankind would be under sin and bondage and thus given up to eternal death. But our God is a God Of Hope. God speaks to the prophet Ezekiel knowing of the leaders and their leadership says, "And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field... (Ezekiel.34:5). And promising of a hope in future Shepherd, God says, "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Jeremiah.23:5,6 and also see v1 also) and whose mission is explained in Ezekiel.34:11-16 which says, For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick:...". That’s why in John.10:11,14-17, Jesus says, "I am the good Shepherd, I am the good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again".
A Thought On This Christmas - 10
There will be much more great rejoicing and joy in heaven when one is saved in faith in Jesus Christ, than the joy and rejoicing that took place when the Child is born in Bethlehem. Luke.2:13,14, Matthew.18:10,11 (Luke.9:56), Luke.15:3-6 (v7), Luke.15:8-9 (v10).
We read in Luke.2:13,14 that, 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, good will toward men". We also know the purpose why Jesus was come into this world. In Matthew.18:11 and Luke.9:56, Jesus says, "For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost". In the above verse (v10), concerned about us Jesus says, "...That in heaven their angles do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven". This verse clearly states that we each one of us are assigned a guardian angle by the Lord. These angels are “always” watching the face of God so as to hear His command for us to help a believer when it is needed. Jesus in Luke.15th chapter preaching to the multitudes in illustration of the lost sheep (v3-6) and the lost coin (v8-9) about how much He is concerned for us. He expresses the joy that takes place in heaven in v7 (I say unto you, That likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.) and in v10 (Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angles of God over one sinner that repenteth). So there is definitely more joy, happiness and enjoyment in heaven when one sinner is saved because the purpose of God coming down as Son of Man is being fulfilled.
A Thought On This Christmas - 11
God' message to Mary by Gabriel set the scale of standard of faith; faith which worked out to bring God into this world.
We all know that Abraham is called the father of faith (Romans.4:11). Through faith (one of the meanings of word believe) Abraham is credited righteous (Romans.4:3). And Abraham exercised his faith before he was circumcised (Romans.4:12) that is before four hundred and thirty years (Galatians.3:17) before law came. Abraham was introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ before the law was established by Moses (Galatians.3:8). God showed grace (Romans.4:16) upon Abraham, but the grace that was shown upon Mary is highly favoured (Luke.1:28) the same highly favoured grace was shown upon us even before the foundations were laid for this universe (Ephisians.1:6). It's a specific and special word that is used in Luke and Ephisians. Why am I writing all this? With a special grace comes special faith. Now, I want to say something in the manner of men (Galatians.3:15), though there is no much difference between the two words grace and highly favoured grace, we observe a little difference as I want to put it this way, Matthew.17:14-20, Jesus speaks of "faith as a grain of a mustard seed". Jesus says, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move (NIV). If faith of a mustard seed can move a mountain, then how vast the faith would be and how strongly the faith can put into exercise (Matthew.21:21,22 and Mark.11:22-24). Abraham had faith in the promise of God in having a son and had faith that God would provide the sacrificial lamb (Genesis.22:8) when he went on to sacrifice Issac. If Abrahams faith in sacrificing Issac is a foreshadow of Christ and his Salvation, the faith that Mary showed is far more magnificent than that of Abraham, because Mary conceived the Child who was foresaw by Abraham.
A Thought On This Christmas - 12
The Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary is like the Tabernacle of the Lord (the Tent of the Congregation, Exodus.40:35) was filled with the glory of the Lord, covered inside and out.
"..therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God". Luke.1:35.
Jesus says, "..I am the Light of the world..", John.8:12,
and Light cannot conceive darkness, so are we,
"Ye are the light of the world..", Matthew.5:14.
A Thought On This Christmas - 13
The acts of the Wisemen reveals us that the desire and to search for Truth dosen't necessarily require someone to evangelize but the thought to know the Truth itself will pave the way to the True Lord.
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. Isaiah.55:6.
Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. Luke.11:52.
Prophet Isaiah calls the people unto repentence. The needy will seek the Lord and they will find Him. Isaiah calls all those who are thirsty for the Lord. Drink the living water (John.4:14, But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life). The Samaritan woman has come to know the Lord. And who are hungry for the Lord. Eat the Bread of life (John.6:35,48,50 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger... and not die). In John.6:22-71, Jesus in a conversation with people who have come to seek food and miracles from the Lord. After the conversation many of them turned back on Jesus and walked no more with him, v66. For this Water and Bread are for free (Isaiah.55:1). Jesus in Luke.11:37-52, rebuking the Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law of Moses (Lawyers) saying, for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered (v52). The Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law of Moses (Lawyers) know who is the Messiah is and his place of birth but they never told the Truth to the people nor they tried to follow the Truth (John.14:6, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life...). But the Wisemen saw the star and followed it and have finally come to know the Truth (Matthew.2:2) and worshipped him. Does we really know the Truth and follow it sincerely? If not, let's do it from now. Be encouraged.
A Thought On This Christmas - 14
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh which were gifted to Jesus by the Wisemen demands our lives to be a sweet smelling offering, consecrated and an undefeated life as king in the Lord.
Matthew.2:11 reads, And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. Why was Jesus been presented these gifts by the Wisemen?
Gold -
Gold represents Jesus' Kingship over the world. When Wisemen of the east enquired with Herod asking him, 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). The angel Gabriel speaking unto Mary about conceiving Jesus says, And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Luke.1:33). Jesus speaking about his dominion over everything says, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth ( Matthew.28:18). Though to make fun of even Pilate recognises Jesus as King in his enquiry (Mark.15:2, John.18:36,37) and writes a title as, Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews (John.19:19). Everything that is written above says that Jesus is King. How is this related to us ? Jesus being King wants us to be his heirs of his Kingdom. In John.1:12, 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. Galatians.3:26, Apostle Paul says, For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. We are the children and heirs of God. The Lord through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (Revelation.1:6). So we are kings His hires in the Lord.
Frankincense -
Frankincense spiritually mean an offering; Offering as sweet smelling as it is to the Lord. Frankincense demands our lives to be as a sweet smelling sacrifice to the Lord. Frankincense is used as one of the ingredients in the mixture of perfume which is used as incense on the Alter of Burning Incense. The preparation of the mixture is given in Exodus.30:34-38. There are two kinds of incense, one which is used on the Alter of Burning Sacrifices and the other is on the Table of Sacred Bread and the Alter of Burning Incense. We can see the difference in Leviticus.2:1 which reads, And when any will offer a meat offering unto the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon and in Leviticus.24:7 which reads, And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the Lord. The first one in Leviticus.2:1 is made out of certain trees of the genus Boswellia which is yellowish in colour which is used on Alter of Burning Sacrifices and the other which is in Leviticus.24:7 is an extract of common fir which is pure milky in colour used on the Table of Sacred Bread and Alter of Burning Incense. How is this related to us ? God wants us to be as pure frankincense which is used in the Holy Place and in the Most Holy Place where our labour(Br.Engish) and deeds are as a sweet smelling offering to the Lord. Ephisians.5:2 says that Jesus has given himself as an offering and a sacrifice to the Lord. Apostle Paul writing to Romans in 12:1 says I beseech you therefore, brethren by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And writing to Philippians, Paul encourages them with a blessing that what ever they sent when he (Paul) was in Thessalonica was an odour of sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God (Philippians.4:16-18).
Myrrh -
Myrrh is used as one of the ingredients in the mixture of Holy Ointment which is used as Anointing Oil (Exodus.30:22-33). This Anointing Oil is used to annoint the Tabernacle of Congregation, the Ark in the Holy of Holies, the Table of the Sacred Bread and Vessels, the Lampstand and Vessels, the Alter of Burning Incense, the Alter of Burning Sacrifices and Vessels, the High Priest and his sons. The spiritual meaning of Myrrh demands us to be as an annointed and consecrated one for the Lord and His Services. Because Jesus who is called Christ; Christ means Annointed One (Matthew.1:16). When one is annointed in the Lord he is consecrated. Though Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist as a start of His Mission, Jesus needed to be annointed to fulfill the purpose He was into this world (John.3:17, Luke.9:56). In Matthew.26:6-13, Mark.14:3-9 and John.12:1-8, though Jesus was not annointed with Myrrh, he was been annointed by Spikenard, a plant which is grown in India a heavily priced aromatic ointment which is a symbolic meaning of anointing his body in his burial, which was done by Nicodemus (John.19:39). Mary (John.12:3), annointed with Spikenard on Jesus' head (Matthew.26:7 and Luke.14:3) and his feet (John.12:3). Prophet Jeremiah was sanctified (annointed) and ordained (consecrated). Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations (Jeremiah.1:4,5). Apostle Paul introducing himself to congregation in Rome says, Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated (consecrated) unto the gospel of God (Romans.1:1). As children of God we too are annointed because our Savior is Annointed and as He is Consecrated for a Mission to Redeem us we too need to be consecrated to build the Kingdom of God in this world.
A Thought On This Christmas - 15
The Star of the east stands where the Child is born (on the east side), who (Jesus) represents all His faithful (the whole humanity) facing the Holy of Holies as our High Priest (which is on the west side of the Tabernacle of the Congregation) advocating on behalf of His faithful until the veil is torn to give His faithful a direct access with the Lord because of His righteousness.
We know the purpose Christ was into this world. Luke.9:56 says, For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them, and John.3:17 says, For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Having fulfilling the purpose He has been on the Cross of Calvary, died for us as a ransom (1Timothy.2:6) buried in a tomb (Luke.23:53), resurrected on the third day from the dead (Mark.16.6) and was ascended to heaven where He sat down on the right side of God (Mark.16:19). What is He doing there sitting on the right side of God? Romans.8:34 says, Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Hebrews.7:25 says, Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. He is our Intercessor, because we have only one God who saved us and we have only one intercessor between the Lord and man and that is Jesus Christ (For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 1Timothy.2:5). ....We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous, 1John.2:1.
A Thought On This Christmas - 16
Every year as we celebrate JESUS BIRTHDAY, Jesus was not expecting our wishes but He was expecting to listen from us that we have accepted Him as our personal Lord and Savior and we have surrendered our life to Him. Making this in short, Jesus wants to listen from us "ITS MY BIRTHDAY".
A Thought On This Christmas - 17
The purpose we were been shaped this way is because, the Lord exactly knows how His Only Begotten and Beloved Son Jesus Christ should look like in the near future. Be of good cheer, for how much the Lord would have loved us more than His Only Begotten Son that He made us in the shape He thought of for His Son. We are exactly made in the manner of the Lord' own heart.
A Thought On This Christmas - 18
The en route to Egypt is a choice of freedom as like in the garden of Eden to show obedience or not to; to eat the forbidden fruit. The loss that brought by disobedience was revoked by showing obedience by Mary and Joseph to the Word (Message).
