Hebrews 3- The Calling
1 Reply
Matthew 2- The Magi
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea 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 worship him. When Herod the king had 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. 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 2:1-6
Some of the most mysterious characters in the Bible are the Magi or Wise Men. Who are these guys? Where did they come from? The Magi were from Persia , which is modern day Iran. So the Magi traveled about 900 miles on camelback to find the Christ child. Now it’s obvious the Magi were familiar with many of the Messianic Prophecies of the Old Testament, including Micah 5:2 which says the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. They were also familiar with the prophecy of Numbers 24:17 about the star as a sign of the Messiah
During their journey to Bethlehem , the Magi traveled through Jerusalem and met with King Herod, who heard about the coming of The Messiah, a King above all Kings. Herod instantly became threatened by Christ, and pretended to want to worship Jesus , however truly he just wanted to kill him. Which we will see later caused the horrific event known as “Rachel’s weeping”
The Magi were very intelligent , hence the name “Wise Man” they were known as your experts of the time, such as we look upon doctors or scholars today. The Magi were also a fulfillment of prophecy themselves as foretold by Isaiah “And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. “ (Isaiah 60:3) “
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 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. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way Matthew 2:7-12
So how did the Magi find Jesus? They followed the star , which was prophesied in Numbers 24:17, to the town of Bethlehem prophesied by Micah 5:2. It’s often tradition in our Nativity scenes, to have 3 wise men. Well first thing is we don’t know exactly how many Magi made the trip, we assume 3 because of the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Secondly , by the time the Magi found Jesus, it says he was a “young child”, it was most likely the Magi visited Jesus at his house and not in the manger. It could have potentially been months, maybe years until the Magi reached Bethlehem and found Jesus.
The most significant point to get from this, is that the Magi were Gentiles coming to worship the Messiah, the New Covenant has now arrived through Jesus. Salvation is now possibly, not only to the Jews but also the Gentiles who put their faith in Christ! Amen!
Hebrews 2-Crowned With Glory
Matthew 1- Incarnation of Christ
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 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 1:18-20
Every year around Christmas time, the great debate begins among Christians, “Should we celebrate the birth of Christ”? While many Christians opt to celebrate Hanukkah instead, which wasn’t commanded by God either and has no relevance to the New Covenant. The Incarnation of Christ is a central and essential doctrine of Christianity. If Christ didn’t become human there would be no atonement for your sins!
Mary was a virgin and she conceived the Son of God by the Holy Spirit. The Incarnation, much like the Triunity of God, is difficult for us to wrap our human minds around. Often people who can’t comprehend it, just reject it like the Triunity of God. Just because you can’t understand something doesn’t mean it’s not true. If God is truly the Creator of everything, don’t you think He will be a little complex? The reality is The Incarnation of Christ had to happen to save humanity, the Son of God had to become a man to pay for the sins of the world
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 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. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. Matthew 1:21-25
The Apostle Matthew felt the Incarnation of Christ was so important, that he began his gospel writing with it. Why? Well because 700 years earlier the prophet Isaiah foretold The Messiah would come from a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) What will be the sign of the Messiah? God said “A virgin will give birth to a Son and he will be called Immanuel” Matthew goes on to give us further commentary that Immanuel means “God Is With Us”, think about that God became flesh and lived among Us (John 1:14)
And if there is any doubt God said His name will be Jesus (Yeshua) and He will save us from our sins. Christians have gotten so distracted around Christmas with arguments about paganism, that they forget or miss what happened in that manger in Bethlehem!
The sign was delivered by God, the Son of God becoming human to reconcile us back to The Father. The New Covenant is now upon us, Thank you Jesus! Amen!
Hebrews 1- Thy Throne O God
Luke 24- The Ascension of Christ
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. Luke 24:50-53
The hour has come for Jesus to ascend back to Heaven and sit at the right hand of The Father. It was exactly 40 days after the resurrection that Jesus ascended to Heaven. The number 40 in the Bible is often symbolic of a time of judgment or testing. We can reference the Israelites spent 40 years in the Wilderness (Joshua 5:6) and Jesus was tested in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4)
Notice it says “They worshiped Him” the disciples worshiped The Lord Jesus Christ. Those who deny the deity of Christ or claim Jesus isn’t God, how do you explain this? Was the first century Church a group of Idolaters? Of course not, because Jesus is God in the Flesh (John 1:14) The Son of God who came to reconcile us from our sins. The early Church understood and recognized the deity of Christ. And they rejoiced as Jesus took his position as sitting at the right hand of God The Father.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:9-11
Luke records the same account in the book of Acts, notice the Angels told the disciples Jesus would return in the same way he was ascended. Yes Jesus Christ is going to return again (Matthew 25) and when He returns its not going to be a mystery or secret, every eye will see him (Revelation 1, Matthew 24) just as the same way He ascended back to Heaven.
The Ascension of Christ is the completion of Jesus’ Earthly ministry. We are now in the time of the Fullness of Gentiles, and Christ will not return until the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19) is completed. Many Christians claim to want Christ to return, if you truly do, then we must do our job and share the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone!
Lift your heads brother and sisters because redemption is drawing near in Jesus name Amen!
Philippians 4- Peace Of God
Luke 24- The Coming of The Holy Spirit
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:46-49
The time was coming for Christ to Ascend back to Heaven and sit at the right of the Father. However before he left, he visited his disciples and he reminded them about the coming of The Holy Spirit. Now if the disciples remembered, Christ taught them about the Holy Spirit several times in John 14 and John 16, however he’s reminding them about the Promise of God The Father”
Now notice Jesus gave them specific directions, stay in Jerusalem. At first the disciples were confused about this command, however even though they didn’t understand , they were still obedient to Christ and carried out his orders. Maybe we as Christians today, should stop trying to overanalyze the Word of God and just listen. We try to make human understanding of everything Gods says, but His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, His ways are higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Before Jesus went to the cross, he repeatedly told the disciples that the Christ would have to die for our sins and be raised on the third day. Even though it was prophesied in the Old Testament, and even though Jesus continually reminded them of this, they still didn’t get it, even after it already happened. Jesus is reminding them again, He had to die for the sins of the world, and He is now Risen. However now salvation is now possible for the entire world by the New Covenant, beginning at Jerusalem.
We know today , Jesus was referring to the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) when the Holy Spirit was poured down upon believers in Christ, and the gospel was spread to many nations spoken in many different languages. Many believe this is the official beginning of “The Church” , Pentecost was obviously an instrumental day for the establishment of the Church and the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19)
However Christ foretold about Pentecost, just as He foretold about his death and resurrection. Are we listening? The Bible still has other prophecies not yet fulfilled including the Return of Christ, are we ready? It’s time to do more listening to God and less disobedience. Did the Israelites understand when Moses told them to walk through the Red Sea? Did the disciples originally understand why Christ was crucified? Did the disciples understand why Christ told them to stay in Jerusalem? No but God knew and He is always sovereign and able, Amen!
Philippians 3- The Calling
Luke 24- Jesus Appeared
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. Luke 24:36-40
If there was any doubt if The Lord has Risen, the doubts were ended here. Jesus appeared to his disciples in bodily form. Its important to note, Jesus didn’t get resurrected as a Spirit, as some would teach. Jesus is Risen in a physical body, as he showed his disciples the nail marks from the cross on his hands and feet. As Jesus said “For a spirit does not have flesh and bone”
Those who claim Jesus only rose as a “Spirit” are denying the very words of Christ himself. Or they are claiming Jesus “tricked” his disciples into believing he had a physical body. Which we know God can not lie, therefore Christ can’t lie. We remember Doubting Thomas in gospel of John, (John 20) Jesus had him touch his wounds from the cross, was this a deception? Of course not, Jesus is Risen in a physical eternal glorified body.
And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, Luke 24:41-45
Does a Spirit eat food? Of course not, but here Jesus ate food with his disciples. I keep emphasizing this because of the false teachings out there that Jesus is just a Spirit. We also will have physical resurrected bodies at the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15) It’s important to understand in Gods Kingdom, we will not be floating around playing harps, we will be in glorified bodies, just as God intended before the curse of sin entered into the world
Secondly, Jesus confirms the entire Bible. As Jesus said “All things must be fulfilled written in the Law of Moses (Torah), in the prophets and in the psalms, concerning me” This is the entire Old Testament Jesus is referring to and Christ fulfilled it. Everything written in the entire Old Testament is about Jesus!
So how do you know the Bible is true? Because Christ is Risen, and Jesus affirmed the entire Bible, therefore you can have confidence knowing the Bible is truly the inspired Word of God and sin and death have been defeated forever! Amen!
Unashamed of Jesus 