There has never been anyone who humbled themselves us much as our Lord Jesus Christ, not even close. Humility is most often connected with His death, which without doubt, is the greatest display of His humility. However, His birth into this world also displays such amazing humility.
None of this was by accident, but rather God’s eternal purpose and decree. We must ask ourselves the question: What great and wealthy king would ever plan for his first born son to be born in a cattle barn (a manger) without all the comforts of the local Inn? It would not have been hygienic. Cattle stalls are not always that clean. The smell of cattle and their droppings would certainly have tainted the air and, without a doubt, Mary would have been concerned.
I am sure that Joseph would have done his best to clean up a space for his wife to give birth, but Mary may have wondered if she had really heard from God. After all, what great God would stoop to such depths to bring forth his Son in such poor and humble conditions. Surely God could have arranged for someone to cancel their night in the Inn.
But these continuing doubts would have quickly dispersed when eventually the wise men from the East came to visit. They had been invited by God to follow star from some eastern country all the way to Jerusalem where they inquired: “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2).
They eventually were given an appointment with King Herod to enquire more. But this baby was not Herod’s baby although he lived in the palace. God was teaching the world a great lesson of how much He respects, loves, and honors humility.
To be continued.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
Matthew 12:34: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
A joyous person is good to be around. Conversely, a down-in-the-mouth, morose person is hard to be around, at least for any length of time.
He whom the Son sets free is free indeed! Joy leads to a bright, shining face and this leads to spiritual joy and holiness, and this leads to worship and praises.
Men, the natural mind equates joy with good times. It is difficult for the natural mind to conceive anyone could experience joy in the midst of trials and troubles.
“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
“Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).
Perhaps we could further ask, What does our nation need to hear from God that it has not already heard? The message of Jesus Christ has been abundantly available, but not necessarily made known in a direct personal way. Multitudes have not been confronted with the claims of Christ by individuals who are willing to sit down with them and take time to talk about their needs and the vacuum in their lives that drives them into drugs, al
Men, if ever there was a time when our nation needs to hear from Jesus Christ, that time is now. We face the ISIS threat, Planned Parenthood selling body parts of precious babies, the ever increasing racial divide and Black Lives Matter, destruction and mayhem in our cities, and lone wolves who take revenge into their own hands and kill innocent people. And the list could go on. At the same time, a large portion of people in the nation are taken
Luke 9:35: “And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: HEAR HIM.”
The ceremonial sword represents false Christianity. Jesus despised and hated it. The whole of Matthew 23:1-29 describes the falseness of the Pharisees. They were the epitome of the counterfeit.
Read the whole chapter of Matthew 23:1-39. The scribes and Pharisees epitomize the ceremonial sword.
Men, we must beware of the ceremonial sword. It gives the appearance of warfare, but never sees the battle. It never gets involved in hand to hand combat. It is a coward when it comes to fight it out. It may give the façade that it is involved and it may talk the talk, but it will not walk the walk.
2 Timothy 2:3, 4: “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”
Deuteronomy 32:41: “If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.”
Ephesians 6:17: “Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
In Judges chapter 20 we read about 400,000 footmen of Israel that drew the sword who went to attack 26,000 men of the tribe of Benjamin who drew the sword. The emphasis in Judges 20:2, 15, 17, 25, and 46 is not so much about carrying or bearing the sword, but rather drawing the sword.
Men, we don’t have to wait for the millennial reign of Christ to win our battles over our enemies. Our time on earth, right now, is serious training and preparation for the future. It includes sharpening up our spiritual edges in order to afflict major damage upon all that opposes the kingdom of righteousness.
Isaiah 49:2, 3: “And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
1 Peter 3:15 says: ”Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and BE READY ALWAYS to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
The high praises of God in our mouth . . .