Luke 2:42-52

Luke 2:42-52 Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Even at a young age, Jesus sought his FATHER'S house. He was more comfortable in his Father's house than anywhere else. His questions and responses confounded the teachers in the temple, for He revealed a spiritual depth far beyond his age. Evidently, his mother and father were not cognizant of his desire to be in the temple since it sounds as if it took them some time to find him. This passage along with others seems to nullify the idea of Mary's divinity. She treasured all these things in her heart, but she did not understand why Jesus was not with them on the way back to their home: “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” Had she been divine, she would have trusted in his actions; she would not have been anxious about her son's absence. But she reacted as any natural mother would react when she found her son missing.

Jesus would later fulfill the Passover theme by dying on the cross during Passover. In God's eyes, He would be the last lamb sacrificed for the sins of the people and for their deliverance from the bondage of the wicked one. Of course, in the Old Testament, the wicked one was Pharaoh who enslaved the Jews in the alien land of Egypt. In the New Testament, Christ fulfilled God's promise to Abraham by blessing the whole world through Abraham's seed, not seeds. Jesus became the sacrificial lamb that delivers "whosoever will" from the bondage of the devil and the land of the dead. We Christians are the inheritors of the last Passover lamb's mollifying work. God's anger towards sin has now been appeased by the death of his only begotten Son. Now we have him as our high priest who sits before Father God, making INTERCESSION ON OUR BEHALF. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:9; 15-18)

Jesus did not hesitate to speak his mission and purpose clearly to his parents. Jesus, the child, said, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” The King James Version says, "How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? As boy of 12, he knew to obey a higher calling, even though obedience to his earthly parents would have been important to him. Jesus was already being prepared as the sacrificial lamb, the perfect, sinless sacrifice. His life, his death becomes our life, our death. And praise God, his resurrection becomes our resurrection. Right now, today, we have renewed life in us. Jesus said, "You must be born again." (John 3:7) Otherwise, you must have a new life, a heavenly nature, in you. We are those who have a new life, resurrection life, flowing through us because the Son knew the Father and did his perfect will on Earth as it is in Heaven. Let us live that way for the glory of the Lord.

Luke 2:36-40

Luke 2:36-40 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

In the first two chapters of Luke, we see God again using both men and women to spread his words: Zechariah and Mary in chapter 1; Simeon and Anna in chapter 2. God is no respecter of persons. He will pour out his Spirit on all those who will come to him. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29) If we are "sons of God, heirs according to the promise," we have the full rights of Christ himself. Any man or woman who is IN CHRIST, filled with the Holy Spirit, can deliver God's inspired words to people and fulfill his plans. Any other restrictions are restrictions of men, implemented because of the cultural customs and laws of a particular society. NEVERTHELESS, In the last days, God says, "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they WILL prophesy." (Acts 2:17-18)

To restrict God's expression to the world is a very difficult position to impose, for God's Spirit within people desires voices to express God's will on Earth. To restrict God is much like restricting air. God desires to reach all people with his living Word. To say only the Jews can express God's words, or only the free can express God's words, or only the males can express God's words is very much contrary to the totality of the Scriptures. Even in the Old Testament God chose a woman, Deborah, to lead the Israelites. She was a prophetess who led the Israelites as God directed her. Otherwise, she spoke God's divine words to the people. In the Old Testament, God used a donkey to speak his words to Balaam, to prevent him from putting a curse on Jacob. If God will use a donkey to speak his words, if as Jesus said, He will make the stones cry out praises to him, if men are not going to praise him, how much more will He use people who are made in his image, who are filled with his Spirit, to fulfill his plans. God desires to use "whosoever will." Whosoever will believe on the name of Jesus Christ will be saved, and they will prophesy as God wills. God used Anna that day in the temple because she was his servant, and He will use you if you so desire and yield to the Holy Spirit within you.

Luke 2:25-35

Luke 2:25-35 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

Simeon was a devout man who was looking for the Messiah: the divine messenger who would usher in the reign of God and who would dispose of the Romans, the oppressors of the Jews. The Holy Spirit brought Simeon to the temple that day to see baby Jesus. When he saw the child, he recognized him not only as the salvation of Israel but also as the light of the world. Jesus, the light of the world, would bring salvation to all humans for He is the Prince of Peace. He would satisfy God's anger towards sin, rectifying a broken relationship between God and man. Jesus, the glory of the Israelites, is the promised Messiah to all the world, for He is the seed promised to Abraham who would bless all nations. This seed would produce as many children of faith as the stars in the heavens, as promised to Father Abraham. He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars — if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” (Genesis 15:5) Simeon's prophecy of salvation to all men came true; however, his concomitant statement to Mary also came true: And a sword will pierce your own soul too.

Along with the vision of great victory came a prophetic word of sorrow. Many times this is the reality of a faith walk. Simeon saw victory in Jesus, victory for the whole human race, but he also saw for Mary that her following God by faith would bring sorrow to her. Faith that pleases God, that unlocks the kingdom of heaven, sometimes runs contrary to man's understanding of blessings. When we follow God by faith, we usually expect good things to happen to us. Isn't that what God promised to us? Isn't He our father? Would a good father give a stone in place of a fish? Should Mary have to see her son crucified? Simeon pronounced a great blessing on Israel and the world through her son's life, should she not also receive an accompanying blessing? Should she not receive the good things of this world: wealth, fame, status, a peaceful existence, one without trouble?

Sometimes we believe a temporal blessing should be the result of a faith walk. Peter's wife saw her husband murdered. Stephen's friends and relatives saw him stoned, and in this passage, Simeon promises Mary that a sword of sorrow will pierce her very soul. We must remember a walk of biblical faith is a strong belief in something that cannot be felt, heard, or seen. Jesus told Peter that his walk of faith would receive many rewards, but it would also receive persecution: feelings of abandonment, hurt, trouble, and even death. This is what Jesus promised those who would walk by faith. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields — and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30)

Do we seek persecution? No, we seek and receive the communion of the brethren. Through the church we have received all of the above, but along with the good things comes persecution. Along with the good things comes trouble. But a walk of faith does not demand reciprocation, does not demand blessings. A walk of faith is a sincere belief in God regardless of the circumstances of life. A walk of faith believes regardless of whether you are peering at the cross on Golgotha or standing behind the crowd watching Paul or Stephen being stoned. A walk of faith believes regardless, for faith rejoices in all things, believing wholeheartedly that God is in all things, and that He makes good come out of evil. And that is exactly what He is doing: He is making adopted sons and daughters rise up out of sorrow, hopelessness, even death; for we were once lost in our sins and trespasses, but He chose not to leave his beloved there. He chose our redemption through his son, so that we might be with him forever, SO WE ARE TRULY BLESSED. HE IS A GOOD FATHER!

Luke 2:21-24

Luke 2:21-24 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day and given the name Jesus. Thirty-three days later baby Jesus was brought back to the temple for Mary's cleansing, for Jewish women were considered unclean after giving birth. Mary goes through the purification process by offering up two doves or two pigeons for her cleansing, which is an offering given by poor people. At the same time of the purification ceremony, the firstborn son is offered to God and then purchased back by paying five shekels for his redemption. All firstborn of clean animals according to the Old Testament Law were to be sacrificed, indicating the first fruit of all endeavors belonged to God.

Jesus, the first and only Son of God, who was with God from the beginning, was sacrificed for our sins. No five shekels could deliver him from the altar of sacrifice. He would pay the full price for everyone's sins on a cross. His sacrifice would cleanse all of mankind. All that men would have to do is identify with that sacrifice by placing their trust in Jesus' works and not their own, in his righteousness and not their own. The first born of all life was placed on the cross; through him everything that is has its origin. In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:1-3)

God placed everything on the cross when He placed Jesus there. But from Jesus' death on the cross came redemption, new life, that which is impervious to sin, for that new life is found only in the holy Jesus. We who are Christians are right now experiencing new life, for our old man died with Jesus Christ vicariously and rose with him in reality. We are now cleansed from all unrighteousness, and we are now acceptable receptacles of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God will not reside in an unclean container; therefore, Jesus' blood has cleansed us and is forever cleansing us. He makes us clean, not our actions. Should the outside of the container stay dirty, sinful? No, we should clean up our lives the best we can through his power at work in us because we are ambassadors of Christ's love. But the spiritual work of cleansing has been accomplished at the cross, and it is a finished work. That is the gift of God to all people who will put their trust and faith in Jesus Christ, his Son, the first fruit of all that has ever been created. Accept his free gift today.

Luke 2:15-20

Luke 2:15-20 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

An interesting aspect of this story is the shepherds told everyone about what the angel told them. Now, many of us when hearing their story would wonder seriously about what hallucinogenic mushrooms they were eating. This story of the angels' visitation would have been difficult for us to swallow, but the shepherds were thrilled to tell the story after they found baby Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem, confirming the angel's words to them. However, the scriptures say that Mary pondered what she had been told by them, meaning she placed their words in her treasure chest of memories. The scripture does not indicate that she got really excited upon hearing the shepherds' words, but that she did consider their validity. I am sure she felt their words confirmed the words the angel told her. But, as a new, inexperienced mother, she needed to see how God would carry out his will in this little baby lying in her arms. She knew she could not plan out his life; she had to wait to see how God would implement his plans for her child, so she pondered the shepherds' words.

We also need to ponder special words given to us by Christians. Many times their words confirm something God is doing in our lives or something He has said He will do. But, we still are responsible to reflect and to judge every message given to us whether or not people believe they were divinely inspired when they speak to us. The shepherds went away rejoicing, and many times people who pray for us and give us a special word from God go away rejoicing, but we, the recipients, must always ponder the words. We must consider all "special" words in the context of our lives, our needs, and particularly in view of God's plans. Over the years, Jacqueline and I have received many "special" words from lovely, God-driven people. Some thought we should be in full-time ministry; others thought we would be healed of this or that ailment. Many wonderful words have been said to us over time. Some have come true, but others haven't, at least in the way they were stated to us. But, we always considered the words were given out of good intentions. We received the messages gladly, for we knew the people were stepping out in faith by saying these "good words" to us. They were trying to be led by God. But, Christians should not be led solely by other people's words or good intentions; we are to be led by the Spirit of God and the Scriptures.

Mary had to allow the words of the angel to be carried out in her son's life. She could not make her son into the Son of God. We, too, can consider and reflect on words given to us for encouragement, but we are responsible to wait upon the Lord to hear his direction for our lives. Just as Mary could not make her son into God's Son, others cannot make us into adopted Sons of God, fulfilling his purpose on Earth. Each of us has the responsibility to hear the Holy Spirit within us and to follow hard after our Father God. We thank the Lord for encouraging words of faith and hope, but daily we look to our Father for guidance through reading his Word, praying, and listening to the Holy Spirit within us. As we ponder the blessings and the miracles of God, we are reminded that we are not alone. We have the fellowship of our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, and we have Christ in us the hope of glory who promised never to leave us or forsake us. We have the written Word and the living Word, and we have the indwelling Comforter to guide and direct us. We are a blessed people! Praise the name of the Lord. As the shepherds, we glorify you today, Lord, for all we have seen and heard.

Luke 2:8-15

Luke 2:8-15 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They were terrified. Sometimes we are terrified right before the good news is announced. Life can be that way at times. Of course, they were terrified because they had a supernatural phenomenon happen right before their eyes: an angel appeared--not an everyday occurrence in anyone's life. However as is often the case with angels, this visitation was cause for rejoicing. This angel brought the message of "good news": Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. How many of us need "good news" today? How many of need to hear, Do not be afraid? For sure, life can be challenging, even frightening, and sometimes "good news" is far from our ears, but Christ Jesus was born, and He has brought God's favor on mankind. We are no longer alone; God has come in the form of a baby to rescue his creation, his people. Can we believe that or are we still in the bondage of fear? Can we really believe that God favors us, that God desires us, just as much as he desired the first Adam, who is referred to in the Bible as God's son? Did He not walk with Adam? Did He not want to have an intimate relationship with Adam? Yes, He wanted all of that and more. He wanted sons and daughters who were faithful to him regardless of the temptation, regardless of the situation. He wanted those whose hearts were perfect, washed by the blood of the Lamb.

Yes, "good news" has arrived in the form of the Savior. "Good news" has come to all people in the actions at Calvary, and new life, a new relationship, began at the resurrection. We are now children of the Most High. Because of Christ's sacrifice, we now have the privilege to stand before the Father and claim him as our Abba Father. We do not need to be afraid, even if an angel appears to us. We do not need to be fearful even though the future is uncertain, for we have a Father in heaven who knows our names and who keeps track of us even when we are in the desert, unsure of our next steps. We have a Father who has an everlasting love. We have a Father with a plan who paid a great price for us, even his Son, the Bright and Morning Star of Heaven. We are not alone; we are not abandoned as sheep without a shepherd. No, we are those who have experienced the good news of the baby in the manger in our hearts. We are now the sheep of his pastures, and we hear his voice. We know the fulfillment of the angels' message when they appeared to the shepherds, just as Gabriel told Mary, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God." Walk in that favor today!

Luke 2:1-7

Luke 2:1-7 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The question is, why was there no room for them in the inn? In American Christian theology, especially as expressed on Christian television, there would be room in the inn, for everyone knows God takes care of his own. Definitely, the message implies that God always makes the road smooth if you pay your tithes and give your gifts, planting seeds of faith for a harvest in your life. And if you do the right things, live the right way, God will make everything work out perfectly for those who love him. My comments are stretching a point, but this is what many high profile people are teaching in our day. Does God really want any child to be born in a manger, outside of the warmth of an inn? The obvious answer is no, but difficult things do happen to Christians--manger experiences. Many Christians who believe God directs them experience life in a humble stable rather than in an immaculate inn, and often "good" believers (Job's comforters) judge them wrongly, intimating that sin and disobedience landed them in their difficult circumstances. Some Christians will say that stable dwelling is their obvious reward because they lacked commitment to God. Yet others, the more rational "good" Christians, will tell them that they didn't make reservations soon enough; anyone's life would be out of control with such haphazard planning. The consensus is that these sinful, uncommitted, and unprepared people deserve the stable, not the inn.

But the Bible indicates that a stable life just happens sometimes, regardless of our lifestyle or good intentions. Christian lives are not necessarily smooth or free from errors with comfortable transitions from one wonderful experience to another. Sometimes garbage happens to us, and troubles abound in our lives. Solomon wrote, I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11 KJV) Even Jesus mentioned his lack of a home and material goods. In the natural, dead ends do exist. Seemingly impossible situations are often our inheritance. Occasionally, we will find ourselves in a desert place with our spirits wound tightly and anxiety abounding, wondering how we got there. Regardless of where we are or how we feel, GOD STILL KNOWS WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE ARE. HE IS INVOLVED WITH US WHETHER WE ARE IN THE STABLE OR IN THE INN.

Gospel truth reveals these difficult life experiences as times of faith building. Mary believed she was carrying God's child whether she was in the stable or the inn. We must believe God is with us whether our lives are smooth or not. In the dry seasons when we feel abandoned, we must believe rain is on the way, and God is nurturing us through the drought. The Bible says faith pleases God; faith is the catalyst to fellowship with him. His presence is with those who endure, those who believe, regardless of life's difficulties. Elizabeth and Zechariah pressed on; they stayed the course. Mary and Joseph pressed on. Jesus promises to be with us, whether we are in the stable or the inn. He did not leave us comfortless. We do not press on alone; the Comforter is with us whether the course is smooth or rough, especially when the terrain is steep. However, the Holy Spirit may be reticent to speak if we disbelieve his abiding presence. For sure, if we faint, if we turn back to the beggarly elements of this world, we will be lost in our self-will. James wrote that a double-minded man is unstable and in need of cleansing. But if we continue to believe despite our circumstances, the Spirit will be near to help us. He will comfort us. He will urge us to persevere. The victory goes to those who remain in the battle. Mary and Joseph were in the fight that night in the stable. They were still in the battle, and the Son of God was born. Child of God, Christ wants to birth new life continuously in you to meet your needs and to bless those around you. So do not get discouraged if you are in a dingy stable. God is with you, and He brings the light and the warmth of heaven.

Luke 1:80

Luke 1:80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Genesis 16:13-14 She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.

Are you in the desert today? Does it seem as if there is not enough to sustain you? God allows some to be led into the desert as Jesus was led into the desert; others, as Hagar, who was rejected by Sarah, are pushed into the desert. Yet, others, as Moses, flee to the desert for safety. Regardless of why you are in the desert, God knows where you are, and He desires to talk to you in that desolate place. He desires to make you strong in his Spirit. Hagar exclaimed after God ministered to her in the fearful and desolate desert, “You are the God who sees me," she proclaimed. “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Can you believe that God sees you at all times? Can you believe He desires to feed you with manna every day? As an alien here on Earth, do you believe that God will conquer your enemies and set you free from bondage? CAN YOU BELIEVE?

The desert is a place of movement: nomads, sojourners, and wayfarers live in the desert. They never stay in one place too long, for the desert does not possess enough of anything to sustain a person for very long in one place. We, as Christians are aliens, nomads; we are just passing through this life. In all practicality, we live in tents, temporary dwellings, not permanent houses. As Christians, we know if God says move, we move. If God says stay, we stay, and then depend on his provisions, his manna, his undiscovered wells. Whether we leave or stay, we are still nomads. A nomadic life requires direction. We cannot just wander aimlessly over one sand dune after another; we must have direction to the next waterhole, the next oasis. We must know where we are going or we will die.

And this is where God comes into the picture. He provides guidance, He reveals the next step. That is why we pray earnestly for a compass, for direction. In the stillness of the night, when no other sound is heard, when the camp is quiet, and when the brilliance of the stars visits the earth, we listen intently for his voice: "Son (daughter), I have a way out of this camp. I have a direction for tomorrow, a place of rest for your head." We might say, "Yes, I know, but I want a permanent dwelling place, a place of safety, a secure place, an established place, a predictable place." But, he reiterates, "I am your safety, I am your secure place, I never leave you nor forsake you. You are not alone in this desert. I am the God WHO SEES YOU."

Yes, as Christians, we are collectively wanderers; just passing through. But we have our personal desert places, barren places, hopeless places. Will we faint or will we believe God is with us? Will we be like the children of Israel who hardened their hearts in the desert and consequently saw judgement fall on their heads? Or will we be like John who became stronger in the Lord through his desert experience? Will we faint, give up, seek our own way out of the desert? Hagar married her son to an Egyptian to escape the hot sun. Moses married a Midian to find an established life, away from God's plan. Our flesh can usually figure a way out of the desert, but we might not find God in our escape. We might just release more self, more flesh into our lives. Jesus prayed and fasted when He was in the desert, and He used the Word to defeat his accuser. We also need to pray and fast; we need to use God's word against our accuser. We should remind him that God sees me. In the desert Jesus was attended by the angels; we are attended by the COMFORTER, THE HOLY SPIRIT. Yes, there is a way out of our personal desert, a next step to take, and we will take it with the Lord's help, but we will always be in the desert in some way, for we are just passing through, this world is not our home. We long for that city whose builder and maker is God.

Luke 1:67-79

Luke 1:67-79 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us — to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

This prophetic message, given by the Holy Spirit through Zechariah's lips, is a song expounding how the Lord God is fulfilling his Word to the patriarchs. In this song, Israel and the world's deliverance from their enemies by God is foretold. Zechariah and Elizabeth's baby, John, is mentioned as the prophet of the Most High who will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him. The Lord's mission will be to REDEEM HIS PEOPLE, to shine on ALL PEOPLE who are living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our (their) feet into the path of peace. Some of the song seemingly relates to the political deliverance of the Israelites. However, beginning in 70 AD and continuing to 135 AD, the Romans dispersed the Jews to many nations. So, this song refers to something far deeper than just a political solution to the Roman occupation. Zechariah prophesied that God has come and HAS REDEEMED his people. God's intervention at this time initiates his plan of salvation.

With the birth of John and the subsequent birth of Jesus, God implements his promise to Abraham that his seed would redeem and bless all nations. I am sure the Jewish people who heard this prophesy immediately thought God was going to deliver them from the oppressive hand of the Romans, but that physical deliverance didn't occur. As happens so often with the divine Word, God words have greater depth than what we first perceive them to mean. Many times, we too readily interpret them only as they pertain to the context of our finite lives. The Jewish people undoubtedly did this when they heard Zechariah's prophesy. But God's plan has always been an eternal one. Abraham never set foot in the Promised Land, neither did Moses. However, both of them experienced THE PROMISED LAND, which the Levites (the priests) were promised as their inheritance, and that is God himself, for in the context of their lives, both were priests of the Most High because they walked with God in an intimate relationship.

Christians also are priests of the Most High. We are the inheritors of Zechariah's prophesy, for we are the ones who have been blessed by Abraham's seed, Jesus Christ. He came to forgive all people of their sins, to guide our (their) feet into the path of peace. However, Christians, because of their reliance on Jesus' words and deeds, because of their faith and trust in him, have been the ones essentially rescued from their enemies and who are now serving him without fear in holiness and righteousness. We who once were living in darkness and in the shadow of death, desperately lost, have the rising sun, the light of God, in our hearts through the wonderful presence of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist prepared the way for this light of heaven by telling the Jewish people they must repent, for the kingdom of God was at hand. Jesus brought the kingdom of God to Earth because He alone had been with God. He stated emphatically that He is the gate to this heavenly kingdom. All other philosophies, all other redemptive plans are frauds and lies, for under no other name can we be saved or in essence enter into the kingdom of heaven both now and for eternity.

The gospel of Christ is simple, but the gate is narrow, and sadly few will enter in, for the flesh of every man and woman boldly stands in the way of submission to Christ. The flesh is strong (everyone has gone his or her own way) and impedes the way to God's heart. But John said, "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand." The message remains the same: repent and enter through the narrow way. There, in his kingdom, you will find peace with God. There, you will relax. There, you will know your purpose in life. There, you will be at home. Come to Jesus: He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Luke 1:56-66

Luke 1:56-66 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

Sometimes our souls need comforting. We need a supernatural encounter with God that confounds the mathematical possibilities of the event happening. In today's passage, we see Elizabeth demanding to name her son John, which was not accepted by those around her because no one else in her family had that name. Consequently, through sign language they ask Zechariah what his son's name should be. He writes, "John." Of course, the angel told him to name his son John, and the above text implies heavily that Elizabeth and Zechariah had not previously communicated with each other about the baby's name. Otherwise, we see another miracle unfolding before our eyes. This miracle of naming John influenced the crowd so much that they were filled with awe and broadcast this story throughout the country. Concomitantly, with this wonderment came the idea that this child was going to be someone special, someone blessed by God For the Lord’s hand was with him.

Over the years, my wife and I have experienced many wonderful miracles that confounded mathematical possibilities. One year, for a Christmas present to our children, we gave them a written account of some of the miracles we have personally experienced. We wanted to share these miracles with them as we had experienced them, so that in the future when we are far gone, our children could relive those events through our words. I think all Christians should do that for their children, for sometimes life gets very hard, and these faith reminders encourage our hearts. Even Christians sometimes wonder where God is in the scheme of their lives, just as the Jews wondered in the above text after some 400 years in captivity where God was in their lives. Yes, Christians also wonder. This is the story of each of us at times; we wonder, our faith wavers, we shrink back into just slogging on the treadmill of life for a while. In those times of doubt, we need to remember the miracles of God.

God is alive, and He has placed his precious Spirit within us. This is the wonderful truth of the Bible, but from time-to-time, as humans we also need a special encounter with God's grace, a special time when our prayers are answered somewhat unexpectantly, but precisely as we prayed them. I believe God knows that. Consequently, prayers are answered, wishes are granted, dreams are fulfilled many times when we least expect a response. However, God is always in control. He determines which prayers, wishes, dreams will supernaturally be fulfilled. This is not always very satisfying to us, for our desires are many. We would want all of them answered according to our will. We would want every childless woman to have a child. We would want every sickness, no matter how big or small, to be healed. We would want every war to stop, every accident to cease, every problem to be solved. That is what we would want if we were God. Thankfully, we are not God.

God's plan is much bigger than ours with our limited vision. He is birthing adopted sons and daughters out of a dark and dying world. He is making something so unique in creation that only He could conceive of the task. He is bringing life out of hopeless death through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. This faith births children of God, adopted into the family of God through the blood of Jesus Christ. This possibility of life with God in such an intimate way stretched the credulity of the angels. They could not imagine who could open the vial of life to those who were so hopelessly lost, but Jesus could. This plan of redemption was in the heart of God before man was even created. This marvelous plan of redemption, this plan of birthing adopted children of God, this plan of eternal bliss with Father God was written eons ago in the heart of God as the galaxies were flung into space. Just as the people marveled at John's name, all creation marvels, for each of us is given a new name in the Lamb's Book of Life: we are the Redeemed!

Luke 1:46-55

Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”

Mark 10:24-25 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. God's mercy extends to the humble forever, from generation to generation. Who are the humble? Those who are dependent on God and his Word. Those who have placed their trust completely in the "LIVING WORD, Jesus Christ. The humble display God's likeness: they are very generous, quick to forgive, gracious to the abrupt. Jesus asked the rich young man to sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. (Mark 10:21) He asked the rich man to humble himself by giving everything he had to the poor, to be dependent on God, to believe God had a better life for him. Mary said, He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. The rich young man went away sad, for he had great wealth. He could not humble himself because he depended on his wealth to make it through life. His riches were his identity, his proof of accomplishment. How could he give away his identity, his status in the world?

What are we depending on in life? James 4:6 says, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. In the same chapter, James also writes, You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Otherwise, proudly relying on the good things of the world (money, accomplishments and material things) is hatred towards God. Relying on the world for your sustenance, for your security, for your peace of mind is spiritual prostitution. You have given your life over to the "prince of the air," the devil. You have become his friend and the world's friend by the way you think and the things you do. However, Mary says in the above passage, the Lord will be merciful to his humble servants forever. He will be merciful to those who rely on Him.

God's arms have been extended to us. Are our arms lifted up to him as a little child's arms when he or she is anticipating being carried? Are we willing to live in our Father's arms, to feel his strength, to know the closeness of his gentle voice in our ears? Or will we go away sad, knowing our lives are inundated with self, knowing we can't let go of this world? Will our fate be that we just can't let go and trust the Lord! I know this is hard. Life IN CHRIST is not always easy, even for the supposedly humble. For all of us, it is difficult not to take back this life and to worry, to wonder how we are going to make it. I am sure the rich young ruler said to himself, "How can I live that life? If I do what Jesus asks me to do, I'll lose my life, I'll lose my dreams." We must believe that Jesus will fulfill his dreams for our lives, his purposes. If our dreams are in his will, for his glory, He will fulfill them. As God told Jeremiah, He has plans to prosper us and not to harm us.

We read in James 4:10, Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. When Jesus was calling the rich young man to himself, He wasn't calling him to an unfulfilled life. He wasn't calling him to a life of drudgery. He was calling him to the best life possible, one that ends with, "Enter into my rest, my good and faithful servant." Today He calls all of us to that life, where his mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. Does all this mean that we have to be poor, without material things, and totally reckless in our lives? No, but it does mean that we have to be dependent, dependent on his direction and his call, for we are not our own. We intrinsically belong to the band of the disciples, the faith followers. Jesus led them down the next road; He told them where they would go. The disciples were totally dependent on his words, his directions. We are also dependent on his words. His words come to us within the context of the Bible, and they stir our hearts through the whispering of the Holy Spirit. He is always saying to us: "Follow me, don't be a friend of this world." Today He says, "PUT DOWN YOUR FEARS AND FOLLOW ME, FOR I WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH LIFE MY BELOVED."