Theresa VJ

Matthew 8:5-13 "And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, 'Lord, my servandt is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.' Jesus said to him, 'I will come and heal him.' But the centurion said, 'Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.'" Matthew 21:33-44 33 "Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who PLANTED A VINEYARD AND PUT A WALL AROUND IT AND DUG A WINE PRESS IN IT, AND BUILT A TOWER, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. 34 "When the harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the vine-growers to receive his produce. 35 "The vine-growers took his slaves and beat one, and killed another , and stoned a third. 36 "Again he sent another group of slaves larger than the first ; and they did the same thing to them. 37 "But afterward he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38 "But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir ; come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.' 39 "They took him, and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 "Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers ?" 41 They said to Him, "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other vine-growers who will pay him the proceeds at the proper seasons." 42 Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES '? 43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. 44 "And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces ; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust." 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them. 46 When they sought to seize Him, they feared the people, because they considered Him to be a prophet. Matthew 22:2-13 2 "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. 3 "And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. 4 "Again he sent out other slaves saying, 'Tell those who have been invited, "Behold, I have prepared my dinner ; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready ; come to the wedding feast."' 5 "But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, 6 and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. 7 "But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire. 8 "Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 'Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.' 10 "Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good ; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests. 11 "But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, 12 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes ?' And the man was speechless. 13 "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness ; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Matthew 14:14 "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. In what is referred to as the Great Commission, Jesus tells his disciples to go therefore,...therefore why? because... what is the setting....? It was now after the Sabbath, and it had begun to dawn on the first day of the week. An angel of the Lord has descended from heaven and had rolled away the burial stone of Jesus and the angel sat on the stone with an appearance like lightening and he was wearing clothing as white as snow. ...and because of this, there was a severe earthquake. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had come to look at the grave as this amazing event was taking place. The guards who were assigned to guard the tomb began to shake so badly that they were like dead men...The angel of the Lord, in all this brilliant light, sitting on the tomb stone, spoke to the two Marys. He tells them not to be afraid, that Jesus (whom the angel knew the women were looking for) was not there, because He had risen from the dead...and Jesus was on His way ahead of them to Galilee. They were told that they would see Him in Galilee. With both fear and great joy, the 2 Marys ran in a hurry to go and tell the disciples. But on the way, Jesus met them and greeted them. He told them not to be afraid. They took hold of his feet and worshipped Him right then and there. Jesus then encouraged them to go to His brethren in Galilee and take to them the word of His resurrection. He told the women that His brethren would see Him in Galilee. As the same time this joyful and amazing meeting was taking place, other activity was afoot. Some of the guards ran to tell the Jewish chief priests all that had just happened. The chief priests get together...and instead of believing the report, or even going to check it out...the chief priests consult together and give the soldiers a great amount of money and basically bribe them to change their testimony. Instead of what they had just witnessed, they were to tell others that the disciples had, instead, stolen the body of Jesus by night....while they were asleep. Amazingly, the soldiers comply, corrupted by the love of money, and among the Jewish people, this story was spread, even to the present.The chief priests had just shown they were not a brother of Jesus. Meanwhile, the 11 disciples are on their way to Galilee, to the mountain that Jesus has designated to them. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him, but some were doubtful. This sets the stage for the "Great Commission." Jesus has received all authority in heaven and on earth, and therefore.....that is why the 'therefore' is there......the disciples are to make disciples of all of the nations (ethnos) and they are to baptize them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit...teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded them and Jesus reassures them that, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." The wise men, were men of knowledge and understanding. They were observant and both saw and comprehended the sign of the star. The precious Jewish people, are the people that the God of the Universe planned to use, to make special, in order to accomplish His sovereign plan of redemption to all peoples. The message was to and through the Hebrew people. It was proclaimed to them personally, but the message of redemption and God's love is to all peoples...for since the beginning of time, the heavens have proclaimed to every person on this earth, the glory of God, and the expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, , and night unto night reveals knowledge. (Psalm 19) The Kingdom authority has been given by the Father to the Son. The Son has now opened the Feast to all who will hear and put on the garment of the Son's righteousness. Praise and glory be to God. Amen. We must be active in telling all we know about the good news...that Jesus has risen...and then we must needs teach them to observe all that He has commanded.

The magi had come to worship the King. They fell down in worship...placing themselves in the lower position. They then broke open their treasures...this is defined as "the place in which good and precious things are collected and laid up. They bowed low and brought to the Child King Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold is a precious metal. Although they may have had riches, gold is offered as the best of the best of their treasures that measure wealth. They were giving gold and not storing it up. I think gold would have represented their worldly riches. They brought frankincense. This is a sweet perfume that was one of the ingredients in the perfume of the sanctuary. It was also used as an accompaniment of the meat offering. When burnt, it emitted a fragrant odor and hence the incense became of symbol of the Divine name. and an emblem of prayer. (Easton' Bible Dictionary.) They offered myrrh which is a bitter and costly perfume that was used as an antiseptic and for embalming. It is first mentioned as a principal ingredient in the holy anointing oil. ( Easton's Bible Dictionary). What gifts should I bring? Gold can refer to works that withstand judgement...so the work I bring to Jesus, must be work that He alone accomplishes...and I am used as His hands...Frankincense is sweet perfume that could represent my prayers in the name of Jesus, and myrrh, could be the sweet perfume created when I willing submit to die to myself daily and follow Jesus.

We see a picture of worship. Worship is placing myself low....face to the ground...kneeled. This is a physical sign of placing God in the higher position and intentionally recognizing God's greatness, and our lowliness

Balaam (whose name means " not of the people"), was in Numbers 23 was hired by Balak, king of Moab, (whose name means "devastator,") to curse Israel. Balaam has his eye opened, he hears the words of God, and sees the vision of the Almighty. He speaks, but not a curse, but instead, a blessing. Balaam proceeds to declare these words..."I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star shall come forth from Jacob, a scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth." A star shall come forth from Jacob. "Come" is Strong's 1869 and it is a verb that means, "to tread, bend, lead, march. (Qal) and (Hiphil) to cause to go, lead, march, tread." A scepter shall rise from Israel. Scepter is Strong's 7626 and it means "a rod, staff, branch, offshoot." 1. Shall rise is Strong's 6965 is a verb meaning a. (Qal) 1. to arise 2. to arise (hostile sense) 3. to arise, become powerful 4. to arise, come on the scene 5. to stand 1a b. to maintain oneself 1a c. to be established, be confirmed 1a d. to stand, endure 1a e. to be fixed 1a f. to be valid 1a g. to be proven 1a h. to be fulfilled 1a i. to persist 1a j. to be set, be fixed k. (Piel) 1. to fulfil 2. to confirm, ratify, establish, impose l. (Polel) to raise up m. (Hithpael) to raise oneself, rise up n. (Hiphil) 1. to cause to arise, raise 2. to raise, set up, erect, build 3. to raise up, bring on the scene 4. to raise up, rouse, stir up, investigate 5. to raise up, constitute 6. to cause to stand, set, station, establish 7. to make binding 8. to carry out, give effect to o. (Hophal) to be raised up Taken from Crosswalk.com Bible Study tools. Matthew 2: 1-2, states, "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we say His star in the east and have come to worship Him.'" Balaam had seen in the future, a star...leading, bending from Jacob. He saw a rod, staff, branch, scepter that would be established , confirmed and raised up, that would crush though the forehead of Moab and that would tear down the sons of Sheth. Matthew tells us that the magi came to find a King of the Jews. They knew of His Kingship and that a star was in the sky...that led them to this King's house. I do not know if they knew the significance of the anointed One, or if they were there to greet and welcome a powerful King. They announce they are come to worship. Worship here is Strong's word 4352 which is a verb that means to "kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence...and in respect to the customs of the Persians...in meant to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as a expression of profound reverence. It showed homage to one of superior rank. (Crosswalk.com Bible Study tools)

...for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Savior...Strong's word 4990 which is a noun and means 'savior deliverer, preserver'. It comes from the word 4982 which is a verb that means 'to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction'. Jesus is named....has the attributes and character of the Deliverer. Christ...Strong's word 5547 which is a noun that means 'anointed'. It comes from the word 5548 which is a verb meaning 'to anoint'...which is the consecrating and furnishing of the power He would possess to be our Deliverer. Lord...Strong's word 2962 which is a noun that means "he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding, ...master, owner. The Jewish people had been waiting for just such a promised One. Jesus (Jehovah is salvation) is God Himself in the flesh...our anointed Deliverer Who was to redeem...buy back from sin and slavery... that which He already owns...His creation...His people.

Life is full of hardship. A physical journey that would involve such extensive travel , in that particular time and place in history, would be a measure of hardship on any person. Add to that, the condition of advanced pregnancy, spiritual and mental joy and apprehension ; and of course, by definition, the journey must have been a hardship. Furthermore, the fact we humans are but dust...even our righteousness is like the filthy rags that were used to wipe the lepers oozing sores. Although Mary KNEW and BELIEVED what had been revealed to her by the angel Gabriel, and she had been confirmed in her belief by Joseph and the testimony that he had heard and had shared from the angel of the Lord in his vision; as well as the witness of Zacharias and Elizabeth: Mary is still human. Still dust. Still subject to the same attacks, doubts, and fears that we all face. She has seen with her eyes, and has contemplated in her heart and soul the glory of the Lord. Because she has agreed to be a faithful bondservant of the Lord, the enemy of our souls must have been outraged. She and Joseph would have been a more heightened target of Satan's wiles as they were standing in the path of the pre-ordained plan of the Master Designer of the Universe. She and Joseph, would have had to keep their minds and hearts continually focused on the "things above," as they knelt in the cross-hairs of a vital battle in the war of the ages. All of this is hard. Hard for Mary. Hard for Joseph. Hard for Zacharias and Elizabeth. Hard for us; as we too, are engaged in our own battle against our own lusts and the same enemy of our souls. Life is full of hardship. Does pleasure indicate that we are in God's will? In some degree, yes, and in some degree, no. It has been said that "one takes pleasure in what one treasures". So, inasmuch, as I treasure the Creator God of the Universe, YHWH , my Redeemer, and I take pleasure in the covenant relationship that I have with Him, I have pleasure. My heart is where my treasure is. However, I can treasure God; I can take pleasure in knowing His character, attributes, and rest in His care and mercy; and at the same time experience hardship. In John 16:33, Jesus tells us, "...These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world". The word here for tribulation is Strong's number 2347 and it means..."pressure (literally or figuratively):- afflicted(tion): anquish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble" . It is a given that trouble and hardship is a fact of life due to a sin filled, sin cursed world. But all is well. Jesus has overcome the world. The word for overcome here is Strong's 3528. It means to subdue (literally or figuratively):- conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory." All is well ,because Christ has overcome the world and we are in Christ. We are still in the world. The world can affect us, inasmuch, as our loving God allows. God's ways are so much higher and above our ways. We are not assured that we will understand the reason and the purpose of each crisis ( which by its definition gives way to make a decision to choose and obey God.) ... that we face. But we are assured, that, " All things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose". Being a consistent Christian will not necessarily cause more hardship, or become a ticket to spare us from hardship, ...but being a consistent, faithful, repentant, obedient, face to the ground, giving glory back to God Christian, will give us , by virtue of a life filled with the Holy Spirit, the will, power, and strength, to be and do what God desires us to be and to do.

Luke is being thouough and precise. The more specific information is included, the more it can stand up to historical scrutiny. Because Luke is acutely accurate in all the details, he lends his account to heightened veracity.

I would like to say all of the above at all times. All are certainly appropriate. I think the key is to truly see God in the fullness of His awesome nature, and to be consistently, literally humbled. I pray that I will keep myself kneeled...even face to the ground low...as befitting the true definition of worship. When I perceive a small glimpse of God's amazing radiance...His mercy and compassion, combined equally with His abhorence of sin as seen in His Holness that by nature and definition also requires retribution and justice...I must be humbled and awed. That leads to praises and the deeds and changed character that begin to reflect back to God His glory. The more I see God, and focus on God, the more I will take joy, render praise, combine curiosity in total face to the ground amazement, and be driven to meditate on God's wonders and be compelled to share all I have been shown and discovered. My truthful answer is that I reflect some, but not nearly as much as I desire. The key, I think, to seeing these responses in my life is to be so enthralled with the beauty of God as reflected in the face of Jesus, that I consistently repent of my sin, praise Him for His mighty deeds, and reflect back to Him in my life the wonders of His glory that is given to me for light and life.

The book of Isaiah gives us some insight. Isaiah:53:4-5. "Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed". The shepherds are familiar with sheep. Sheep are used as a picture of God's removal of sin, and cleansing atonement. Shepherds are common folk, but surely have heard and know the words of the prophets concerning their Messiah. They personally care for the lambs that will be slaughtered for their own personal blatant sins as well as for their unintentional shortcomings. Many a lamb under their care has been a sin sacrifice. Their responsibility of caring for the sheep must have been a consistent reminder of sin and it's wages. Shepherds know sheep are not smart creatures. A sheep could literally nibble himself off of a cliff if the sheep in front of him did it first. Shepherds know the way of a sheep. Shepherds also know that a pure spotless lamb is used to picture the pure spotless Redeemer Deliverer that has been promised. In Isaiah,53:6-7, Scripture goes on to report, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth". The voice of God has been quiet for as long as these shepherds can remember. Yet, they continue to hope in God's promise, they continue to observe the sheep, care for the sheep, and continue to give the sheep over to be slaughtered for sin...their sin...the sin of their children...and the sin of their loved ones. They have heard the words told them from the the Rabbi, and have even perhaps pondered how that the promised Messiah, could possibly be a King and a Lamb. The King part...well, that would be a wonderful thing...but, well, shepherds know sheep. And the Messiah, would be like a sheep.....and Messiah would have laid on Himself the sins of all. Oh, such things to reflect upon during those long days tending sheep. After all, King David was a shepherd...and then a King. So much to ponder. Then, the heavens, who are perfectly skillful at declaring God's glory...are now the backdrop for the message that has been for so long awaited. An angel..God's messenger, is suddenly standing before them, and the glory...the radiance, the spendor of the Lord is shining so intensely, that the awesome splendor alone, fells the shepherds to their knees in fear. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and these shepherds, are now in the position to be blessed (they are kneeled)... by what they are about to hear. When one fears God first...all else is well.... and they are told, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with a angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened with the Lord ahs made known to us." So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. The angel gave the sign for the shepherds. They knew sheep. They were used to seeing God's glory revealed in the night sky. But they had just been made the humble recipients of such marvelous good news. The message was clear. The Baby, the Messiah, was now born...brought as a lamb to the slaughter...found in birthplace of lambs....lying in a manger...a feeding trough..in the City of Bethlehem....the House of Bread. Themes of Passover deliverence...thoughts of lamb's blood on the doorposts and the passover meal....combined with the pure glory of the Lord dazzling the sky....was given to the ones who knew sheep best. Slain before the foundation of the world... the Pure Spotless Lamb of God has been brought forth from a virgin, and made known to shepherds...divinely and rightly so.

Joseph's character was shown to have been righteous, AND full of mercy and compassion. He named the divine Baby, Jesus,...Jehovah is Salvation. He could not have been righteous...and Scripture says he was...and name the Saviour if he did not truly believe the message from the angel. He was righteous, humble, and he was putting his faith of heart into the worship of deed.

God WITH us. Not JUST above us. Not JUST our Creator. Not JUST our Judge. Not JUST our incomprehensible, eternal. all wise, sovereign, all glorious, omnipresent, all knowing, never tiring, completely righteous, entirely holy, absolutely worthy, never changing, good God...somewhere distant...or apart from us...but WITH us. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. John 1:1-4 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 The birth of Jesus, in His bodily form, was the the way that God could reach us; we can literally see and touch the Son. We could see, revealed in Jesus, God Himself; the glory of the Father,...and though Jesus... we can see truth, and experience life saving grace. God's ways are so much above our ways...but Jesus emptied Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, in order to break into our darkness and build the amazing bridge of love that shows us the true heart of God...righteousness and justice...coupled with complete and everlasting love.

The name is so very, very, important. The name is our first step in getting to know someone. It is a mental reminder of the physical and spiritual attributes that the mention of that names brings forth. We can all think of people we have met and then relate to this concept. A person's name represents who and what that person is. It is clue that immediately brings to our mind all that that person is and represents to us. Jesus is the exact representation of His Father. We can see, in Jesus, the exact image of His Father. All of the attributes and character of God, the Trinity, is seen in God the Son. The name of Jesus further gives us insight into the heart of the Father. Jesus, the name, means, Jehovah....God's memorial name though all generations....is salvation. God is not the author of confusion. If Mary and Joseph were to act as one, the message and truth revealed would be made clear and consistent.

Part 2...Scripture states that Joseph was a righteous man. To put it simply, he believed and trusted, as did Mary,... in the goodness, the faithfulness, and the sovereignty of God. His faith, trust, and reliance upon God, combined with acting on the Word of God that he would have known...was tested and then proved by his outward actions. He loved justice, yet he showed mercy, and did indeed, walk humbly with his God.

I do not see Mary as having any options within her control. She was dependent upon her God, and upon the support system around her that God had ordained and put in place for just this time. Mary did not have any options beyond what is under God's authority. That is the key....beyond what is under God's authority. Just as Abraham had believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness, so Mary, also, believed God; and that belief...that faith...was the basis of her righteousness. Just as Abraham KNEW that if God took the life of his son Isaac, God Himself would have to make Isaac rise again...because God is faithful to His Word...so too; Mary knew, trusted, had FAITH that God would keep His Word, and that God was good, and that God was sovereign....that is God is the Creator...He has the right to do as He pleases...God is all wise....He makes a plan and no obtacle can cause His plan not to come to fruition, and lastly that God is all powerful....He can bring to pass all things He has planned. The fact is...as a submissive bondslave....the only option is to have complete trust and reliance upon your God. Mary did.