Tag: salvation

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Wise Men

Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.  (Matthew 2:7-12, NASB)

Bible quiz:  How many wise men (magi) visited Baby Jesus soon after He was born? 

Answer:  If you said “Three,” you may or may not be correct. 

The Bible doesn’t tell us how many magi traveled to Israel to pay homage to the newborn King.  Tradition says it was three, probably because there were three gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Tradition also tells us names for the three:  Balthazar, Caspar, and Melchior. 

Another myth is that the three visited our Savior on the night of His birth, along with the shepherds.  This is perpetuated in nativity scenes and movies, but it’s not biblically accurate (I know, I’m a Scrooge).  How do we know?  In the passage above from Matthew, “After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him.”  Joseph would’ve had to relocate his little family.  But I think the three visited Jesus in Nazareth. 

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo - Adoration of the Magi - Google Art Project.jpg
Adoration of the Magi,” by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, ca. 1655-1660.  Found at Wikipedia, 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_2:11. 

If we piece a timeline together using the books of Matthew and Luke, we see this:  Jesus is born.  The shepherds visit.  On the eighth day, Joseph and Mary take their Baby to the Temple in Jerusalem to present Him and have Him circumcised.  They go back to Nazareth.  The magi visit.  The magi return home, avoiding Jerusalem and Herod.  

It may have been months after Jesus was born before the magi visited.  When he realized the magi weren’t coming back, Herod “became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.”  (Matthew 2:16)  If Herod slew the boys two years old and under, it was a considerable time since Jesus’ birth and the visit. 

The wise men determined, based on the star and its position, that a great King would be born.  They traveled a great distance to give Him honor.  Whether they realized just Who they were visiting, the Bible doesn’t say.   They bowed down before Him.  Even today, we have to pay homage to this great King, God’s Christmas present to us.  The Bible tells us that there will come a day when “every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess” that Jesus Christ is Lord of all.  It’s best that we do it here on this earth while we have the choice. Old bumper sticker:  “Wise men still seek Him!”

Worship:  “Follow That Star,” by Paul Beloche

Sue has asked me if there’s a difference between “Emmanuel” and “Immanuel.”  I think they both mean “God with us.”  I think the difference is in the pronunciation.  “Emmanuel” seems to be the English version.  The Bible uses “Immanuel,”which seems to me to be the phonetic Hebrew.  We pronounce both of them the same, but Joshua Aaron pronounces “Immanuel” correctly in the song below. 

Worship:  “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” by Joshua Aaron 
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Joseph

And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.  (Matthew 1:24-25,NASB)

We know very little about Joseph, the earthly, legal father of Jesus.  The Bible teaches us that Joseph’s father was named Jacob, and that Joseph was the husband of Mary (Matthew 1:16); that Joseph was a righteous man (v. 19); he was obedient to God’s commands (vv. 24-25); he was a descendant of King David (Luke 2:4); and Joseph was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55). 

In the passage above, Joseph had found his fiance with Child, and was pondering divorce.  An angel of the Lord visited Joseph in a dream, and told him to marry Mary, who was pregnant with the Son of God.  Joseph was obedient to God’s command.  

“With a Father’s Heart,” found at Opus Dei, https://opusdei.org/en/article/year-of-saint-joseph-begins-with-a-father-s-heart/

We all know that Joseph took his wife to Bethlehem to take part in the census proclaimed by Caesar Augustus, and that Mary gave birth to Jesus there.  All indications are that Joseph was “a righteous man,” which was why God chose him to raise His Son.  Jesus grew up in a devout Jewish home, which was God’s plan.  Jesus was an obedient son to Mary and Joseph:  “. . . and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.”  (Luke 2:51)  Jesus was a great example to all of us as He grew up, honoring His father and mother.  Joseph disappears from the Bible narrative after Jesus was a young Man.  We presume he died before Jesus’ public ministry.  But he kept God’s commands, and raised His Son. 

While we don’t know a lot about Joseph, we do know he was righteous, and kept God’s commands.  He set a great example for us, bringing his adopted son up according to biblical principles.  God trusted Joseph to bring up His Son in a devout home.  And Joseph did just that! 

Worship:  “Joseph’s Song,” by Michael Card
Worship:  “Joseph’s Lullaby,” by MercyMe
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Angels

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”  (Luke 1:26-33, NASB)

A recent Bible study mentioned the prominent role of angels in the story of the Advent of Jesus.  Whether by name, or by mention, they played a key part.  

The archangel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias as he was performing his priestly duties, to announce that he and wife Elizabeth would, in their old age, become the parents of John the Baptist.  (Luke 1:11-20)  Next, Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her that she would be the mother of the Messiah, the mother of her Savior.  (the Bible verses above)

Next, “an angel of the Lord appeared to [Joseph] in a dream,” to tell him not to be afraid to marry Mary, who was pregnant with God’s Son.  (Matthew 1:19-24)   Then, “an angel of the Lord” appeared to some shepherds on the outskirts of Bethlehem, to announce the birth of the Christ Child, and tell them where to go to find Him.  (Luke 2:9-14)  And finally, “an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph [again!] in a dream,” and told him to flee to Egypt with the Child, as Herod was trying to kill Him.  (Matthew 2:13)

The angel Gabriel talking to Mary
The Angel Gabriel Visits Mary, found at https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/true-faith/the-angel-gabriel-visits-mary/

It’s a common occurrence in the Bible when a person encounters an angel, to have the angel tell them to not be afraid.  Either the appearance of angels is frightening, or their showing up is so unexpected, that the angel gives this reassurance. 

The other day on The 700 Club, Gordon Robertson was discussing angels.  He told the audience that the Bible says that “angels” are appointed to watch over us.  He said that’s at least two! 

The angels in the Christmas story add a sense of wonder as we read.  As followers of Jesus, we not only have the Holy Spirit as our Helper and Teacher, we have at least two angels watching over us!  I think we should not hinder all of them from doing their work! 

Worship;:  “Angelic Proclamation,” by BarlowGirl
Worship:  “He Shall Reign Forevermore,” by Chris Tomlin
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Jesus’ Earthly Lineage

The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar . . . Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon by  Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah . . . Josiah became the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon . . .  Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.  (Matthew 1:1-3, 5-6, 11, 16-17, NASB)

The books of Matthew and Luke both have earthly genealogies of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Dr. Luke’s version traces Jesus’ ancestry all the way back to Adam.  Matthew’s genealogy begins with father Abraham.  I think most Bible scholars combine the two, beginning with Luke’s account, from Adam to Abraham, and picking up from Abraham on using Matthew’s narrative.  The difference between the two is from King David onward, Matthew showing Solomon to be David’s son, while Luke reports Nathan as the son.  Both are correct, ending with Joseph, Jesus’ adopted earthly father. 

Matthew (a.k.a. Levi), the former tax collector, was chosen by Jesus to follow Him.  Matthew wrote his gospel as a way to attract Jewish people to become followers of the Messiah.  He begins his account with the genealogy to prove that Jesus is a descendant of King David, which was foretold by the prophets.  Matthew’s lineage is called “The Royal Line,” because it goes through the kings of Judah.  

To me, of interest is the cast of characters we find in the Royal Line.  We see saints and sinners, good kings and bad, Gentiles, and ordinary people.  Isn’t that just like God?  Satan tried many times to thwart the genealogy of Jesus, but was defeated each time.  Let’s meet some of the people involved: 

Genealogy of Jesus
The Genealogy of Jesus, found at Lincoln Park UBF, https://lincolnparkubf2442.squarespace.com/blog/2016/12/5/the-genealogy-of-jesus

Judah was one of the sons of Jacob.  One of Judah’s sons married Tamar, and he died.  Tamar disguised herself as a harlot, tricked her father-in-law, and they had a son, Perez. 

Rahab was a harlot in Jericho.  When the Israelites first entered the Promised Land, Joshua sent spies to survey the city.  Rahab hid the spies in return for safety for her and her family when Israel invaded Jericho.  Rahab married Salmon, and became the great-great-grandmother of David.  

Ruth was the heroine of the book of Ruth.  She was a Gentile from Moab, married Boaz, and was the great-grandmother of David. 

Bathsheba was married to Uriah the Hittite, who was off to war.  King David had an affair with her, got her pregnant, and later had Uriah murdered.  David took Bathsheba as his wife, but the child died.  Later, they had a son, Solomon. 

Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, adopted Him.  Adoption was, and is, considered just as legal as being the natural father, hence the genealogy runs through Joseph. 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and the Son of David.  He was, and is, the Messiah, foretold by the prophets of old.  It’s He Who we celebrate during this Advent season.  Is He the Lord of your life?  He is the Savior of the world! 

Worship:  “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus,” by Meredith Andrews
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Give Thanks

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.  (1 Chronicles 16:34, NASB)

King David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, and pitched a tent for it on Mount Moriah, the site of the future Temple.  God had denied David’s request to build a temple for Him, since he was a man of war.  Instead, God told David that the honor of building the Temple would go to his son, Solomon.  David did the next-best thing, in his mind, bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, to its temporary home.  First Chronicles 16 documents the celebration that followed, and a psalm of thanksgiving.  Many of the words from this psalm are repeated in Psalms 107 and 118. 

Bible Verse of the Day - day 327 - image 67903 (1 Chronicles 16:34)
1 Chronicles 16:34 image.  Found at bible.com,https://www.bible.com/verse-of-the-day/1CH.16.34/67903?version=105

On this day of national Thanksgiving, I have much for which to thankful.  I thank God for sending His Son to die in my place for the sins I’ve committed; for sending His Holy Spirit, Who is my Teacher and Helper; for my most precious earthly gift, my wife, Sue, who loves me, and takes outstanding care of me; for our precious gifts, three wonderful children, their spouses, and 12 precious grandchildren; for giving me a loving family as I grew up, and great in-laws when I married Sue; and being born in the greatest nation in history, this God-blessed land!  I’ve lived a great life.  God has blessed me far beyond measure, and certainly way beyond what I deserve!  And I have the hope of eternal life after my years on this earth!

I’m grateful for you!

Worship:  “Give Thanks to the Lord (for He Is Good),” by Francesca LaRosa
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Ambassadors

. . . we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  (2 Corinthians 5:20-21, NASB)

In Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth, he writes that “we are ambassadors for Christ.”  In the previous paragraph, Paul tells the Corinthians, as a reminder, that God sent His Son Jesus, as a reconciliation; that if we would accept Jesus as Savior, that our sins would not be counted against us, “and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”  (2 Corinthians 5:20)  Since we’ve been made right with God, we’re His representatives on His earth! 

Being God’s ambassadors is a heavy responsibility.  Those who are not believers are watching.  We should attract people, and love them into the Kingdom.  That’s why Paul tells them (and us), “we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”  To be reconciled means to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord of our lives.  After all, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

christ-our-glory:“ 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 image.  Found at Living Water, https://jesuslivingwater.tumblr.com/post/109511317263/2-corinthians-5-20-niv-we-are-therefore-christs

Jesus came to the earth He created with one purpose:  To die as a substitutionary sacrifice for you and for me.  He took the punishment for our sins that we all deserve.  God’s plan of salvation requires us to acknowledge that sacrifice for our sins.  Jesus paid it all for us.  It’s a free gift from God the Father, which was obtained at a high cost.  Is Jesus your Savior?

Worship:  “Jesus Messiah,” by Chris Tomlin (video scenes from “The Passion of the Christ”)
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We Must Repent

“And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.  (Acts 3:17-21, NASB) 

The text above is a part of Peter’s second recorded sermon, documented by Dr. Luke in his book of Acts.  Peter had just healed a lame beggar near the Temple in Jerusalem, and the crowd among them was amazed.  “But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, ‘Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?'”  (Acts 3:12)  At this, Peter launches into his sermon. 

Peter reminds the onlookers that they had traded Jesus for Barabbas, a murderer, and insisted that Jesus be crucified by Pilate.  He tells them that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and that their God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, had so glorified this Jesus.  Peter then tells them that it is not he who healed the man,  but “it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.” 

Depiction of Peter’s Pentecost Sermon, found at https://www.churchpop.com/2015/05/23/6-observations-st-peters-sermon-pentecost/

We pick up with the passage above.  Peter tells the crowd that the prophets foretold of the Messiah’s coming, and that Jesus had fulfilled what was prophesied.  Next, he gives advice which is good for us today:  “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you.”  

The word “repent” means to turn from.  In today’s slang, we say, “do a 180.” With respect to sin, it means we must turn from it, and not go back.  Peter says that when we truly do this, that God will send us His Son Jesus, and we will have “times of refreshing” in our lives.  

This is the same Peter, who only weeks before, on the night Jesus was betrayed and led before the Temple authorities, had denied knowing Him.  But now, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter was now speaking the truth with no fear.  That same power is available to us, if we follow Peter’s advice, to repent of our sins, and to accept Jesus Christ as Savior of our lives! 

Worship:  “It’s All About You, Jesus,” Artist Unknown
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Trust in the Lord Forever

In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; He sets up walls and ramparts for security. Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter, The one that remains faithful. The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.  (Isaiah 26:1-4,NASB)

The 26th chapter of Isaiah is called “Song of Trust in God’s Protection.”  The prophet tells of a time in our future, when the nation of Judah will be reestablished in the land of Israel.  In the context of the time, Judah had yet to be defeated by, and exiled to Babylon. 

In the portion above, Isaiah looks forward to that day when Judah will be reestablished in a secure land.  Who will provide security?  God will!  The city gates will be opened so “that the righteous nation may enter, the one that remains faithful.”  (I’m not sure, but this sounds to me like the New Jerusalem!)  

Isaiah 26:3 image.  Composed by Claudia Hoyes.  Found at https://my.bible.com/bible/100/ISA.26.3

Next, the prophet speaks of peace, and how to achieve it:  “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.”  So the formula for finding perfect peace, “Shalom,” is to place one’s trust in the Lord God Almighty.  Finally, Isaiah tells us to “Trust in the LORD forever.”  Why?  Because “in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.”

God is my Rock.  I will trust in Him forever!  Although I have ALS, He has not failed in one good promise to me.  He’s promised eternal life to me because I’ve placed my trust in Jesus Christ, His Son.  When I get to heaven, I will see perfect peace, Shalom! 

Worship:  “Trust in You, by Lauren Daigle
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Shelter

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,  My God, in whom I trust!” . . .  “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation.”  (Psalm 91:1-2, 14-16, NASB)

Psalm 91 is entitled “Security of the One Who Trusts in the Lord.”  I was listening to Pandora the other day and I heard the song below.  So I thought I’d write on Psalm 91.  

The author of this psalm is unknown.  The psalmist writes of his belief that the person who trusts in the Lord will be sheltered from harm.  “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,  My God, in whom I trust!”  God is compared to a Shelter, a Shadow, a Refuge, and a Fortress, all symbols of hiding or protection.  

In the latter portion of the text above, God answers back to the psalmist.  God says that those who know Him will be “delivered”; will be protected; when he calls upon God, He will answer; God “will rescue him and honor him”; God will give him long life; and God will grant him His salvation! 

True Protection 1
Psalm 91:1 image.  Found at Modern Ghana, https://www.modernghana.com/lifestyle/13551/true-protection-1.html

There are many advantages to those who place their trust in God.  They’ll be protected, and for those who’ve called on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, God will give His salvation.  It’s an easy choice!  Call on His name today! 

Worship:  “My Dwelling Place,” by Keith and Kristyn Getty
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Two Resurrections

Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.  (John 5:25-29, NASB)

The Bible passage above is part of the Apostle John’s account.  Jesus had gone to Jerusalem to celebrate one of God’s feasts.  He healed a man who had been paralyzed for many years at the pool called Bethesda.  This happened on the Sabbath, which made the Jewish authorities very angry.  Jesus got into heated discussions with them in which He equated Himself with His Father, which made them even madder.  “For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.”  (John 5:18)  

Further, the words of Jesus: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”  (John 5:24)  So Jesus tells the Temple leadership that if they would believe His word, and believe in the Father, they would not only have everlasting life, but would escape eternal judgment and damnation.  That would’ve made the authorities even madder, being lectured by this carpenter from Nazareth.  But Jesus had more for them, from the passage above. 

John 5:25 All Who Hear The Son Of God Will Hear And Life (black)

John 5:25 image.  Found at Knowing Jesus, https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/John/5/25

He tells them that sometime after death, He will come back (!), and He will call, and whoever hears His voice “will live.”  He further explains, “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”  While “good deeds” do not save someone, in the words of Jesus “This is the work of God, that you believe in He whom He sent.”  (John 6:29)  So the only good “work” we can do that is acceptable to God is to believe in His Son, Jesus.  Those that do, will be raised to “a resurrection of life,” an eternity with God in heaven; those who don’t, “to a resurrection of judgment.”  

There are, then, two resurrections:  One for those who believe in Jesus, and who will spend eternity with God in heaven; and one for unbelievers, who will spend eternity totally separated from God.  The choice is clear to me.  In the words of my late mentor, Brigadier General Dick Abel:  “Do you want smoking or non-smoking?”  It’s up to us!  My hope is in Jesus!