A Growing Problem in Our Age

"But as for you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah,  from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.  His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."  (Micah 5:2).

Hey Gang:  Have you said "thank You Lord' for putting aside the Godhead and coming to this confusing human world, a world that tended to lean toward choosing to live in the darkness of the world instead of the light - even when the light is right before their nose? Have you ever given thought of what the Son gave up to come and accept the sins of all mankind for all ages and endure the agony of Calvary just for you and I?

One might say that Satan did an admiral job of spinning a web of confusion around His birth. I am sure confusion reigned in the mind and heart of his earthly father.  Joseph was a good man but I sense did not have a clear understanding of what was happening.  So God instructed him through dreams. 

 When danger in Bethlehem threatened the baby Jesus, Joseph took him to live in Egypt; acting on another dream, the family returned to Judea.  Then, a third dream diverted them to Nazareth.  Prophecy said that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, but everyone would know him as a Nazarene. Now I ask you, does that not seem puzzling!

No wonder the disciples gave the wrong answer when Jesus asked, "Who do people say that I am?"Some say Elijah, and other say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets" (see Matthew 16:13-14)

People also insultingly called Jesus a drunkard, a friend of sinners, and a criminal.  They obviously didn't know who he was.  Even the citizens of Jesus' hometown said, "He's just a carpenter's son, and we know Mary, His mother, and His brothers - James. Joseph, Simon and Judas.  All his sisters live right here among us.  What makes him so great?"  (Matthew 13:55-56)  Remember the Scripture where Jesus said, "It is nigh on to impossible to return to your home town and preach the Word.  A man is without honor in his home town.

This is certainly true in this day.  How very tragic that each day less people know who Jesus is.  What is the remedy for this?  When Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do you say I am?"  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."  Jesus replied, "You are blessed. because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you.  You did not learn this from any human being" (see Matthew 16:15-17)

The story of the Baby in the manger did not spring from the human imagination.  This event is beyond the grasp of the most exalted and refined reasoning.  It is something that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the mind of man to conceive. and understand.   There is no way our human brains can understand the coming of Yeshua to earth in the form of man without God's leading us into understanding.   The light of nature and force of reason are helpless to understand it.

The Gospel is a heavenly revelation.  Yes, one can understand by the testimony of creation that there is a God - there a seeker can see the living God who gives life and breath and all things to his creatures.  But to see that the Son has been given, who is of the same nature with God and equal to God, who is the Messiah of Israel and the Savoir of lost sinners, is impossible unless the Father reveals it. 

Soooo, my young friends and  neighbors,  Jesus left his place in the heavenlies to come to this sin-filled placefor one purpose to die in my place to take me to his place, "that He who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16b)  What would you say if someone asked you the question "Who do people say that Jesus of Nazareth is?

PS  Special Extra Dec 28!

Blessings,

Gramps