Friday Focus #19

What Does the Birth of Jesus Mean?

As we celebrate Christmas today, let us remember why we as Christ followers are celebrating. Do we even know what we are celebrating or have we changed the meaning behind our celebration? Is it about Santa Claus and presents? Is it about an evergreen covered in lights and decorations? Or is it truly about celebrating the birth of the one you call your Lord and Savior?

We know the details of Jesus being born found in Matthew 1:18-2:23, but what about his blood line? Look at his bloodline and the great men and women in it in Matthew 1:1-17. But there were also sins among those great men and women. There was adultery, lies and murder. But, while men will say your past defines you and hold you in contempt of bad decisions, the love of God through the redeeming blood of Christ does not. Our sins are washed away and we are seen clean and pure in God's eyes (1 John 1:7). We must walk with Christ seeking what his will is in our life. Jesus was doing God's will while being God in human form. He did not come to us in a large palace and desire a bunch of attention. It was a very humble setting in a barn that many of us wouldn't stay in if it was the last place on earth.

With the birth of Jesus there were prophecies that came true. In Isiah 7:14 promised a virgin birth. In Psalm 2:7 there is a reference to the Jesus being referred to as the son of God which was fulfilled when we read Matthew 3:16-17. There was a even a prophecy that the messiah would be a sacrifice for sin which we see through the death of Jesus (Romans 5:6-8).

If Jesus wasn't born he never could have died. Through his death we are redeemed through him to God for Heaven in the after life if we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior (Ephesians 1:7-10). Our sin separates us from God, but by accepting Jesus we get to reconnect with God. So as you celebrate Christmas, think of and reflect on the reason why you celebrate. Is it the jolly man in the red suit or is the Son of God who suited to shed his red (blood) for us?

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Luke 24:46-47- The Resurrection Fulfills Prophecies

The Resurrection Fulfills Prophecies 

When you seek to understand the life of Christ and why he was the Messiah (proof) you will need to not only study the New Testament but the Old Testament as well.

In Luke 24:46-47, Jesus reminds the disciples of what was said in Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms. When he does this, he puts the pieces of the puzzle together. 

For instance, Mosiac Law is seen as the 10 Commandments. When you break down each commandment from putting God first and honoring the Sabbath to not bearing false witness and not murdering, we are to do all of this because we are with Christ and seeking to be more like him. Since he was able to fulfill these laws (or even guidelines) and not sin, then the law is fulfilled.

One verse in Psalm 41:9, David references Jesus (before Jesus was born) being betrayed by Judas. 

We do not live by blind faith in Jesus and just accept things as they are because someone told us that is the truth. That is how you can be tricked and fooled if you do not investigate on your own. I am still learning and seeking various tools to assist in my knowledge of Christ and growth in him. 

If you seek knowledge and evidence please feel free to use 100 Prophecies and Got Questions. These two sites have helped me and will continue to do so as I strive to bring you meat and not just milk on a daily basis.

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Mark 1- Fulfilling the Prophecy

Fulfilling the Prophecy 

Mark 1 gives us a condensed version of several chapters in the book of Matthew and other gospels as well. While the Book of Mark is known to not give any credit to a specific author, it is credited to be written by Mark the Evangelist who was a close associate of the Apostle (disciple) Peter. You remember Peter? Peter was one of Jesus' disciples and is the same one that denied he knew Jesus (three time before the rooster crows).

In reading through this chapter a couple of things jumped out to me that I wanted to point out.

First, for some this is silly and not needed to be pointed out, but for others this is their first time seeing and understanding this. The arrival of Jesus and details of his life were written before he was ever born...like YEARS before he was ever born. In verses 2-3 it is pointed out that the prophecy of Jesus is unfolding. The words in Mark are quoted from Isaiah 40 to point out that the prophecy is being fulfilled. This was not some random guy who did cool stuff, but God in the flesh sent to unite us with God by being sacrificed for our sins (even the ones we don't think are a big deal)

In Mark 1:40-45 Jesus shows his heart to a leper and heals him. I saw in the NIV the word used to describe how Jesus saw the leper was indignant- NIV. Indignant means showing anger for perceived unfair treatment. Also, the NLT describes his heart as being full of compassion- NLT. A third version (English Standard Version) is Jesus having pity- ESV on the leper. The point is, how is your heart when you see injustices in the world? The sick? The poor? The wrongfully imprisoned? The homeless? Jesus did not look at the leper and tell him what he did wrong in life that led to leprosy, but he healed him. He saw the need and he met it.

It is time for us to see the needs and meet them. Orphans. Battered women. Children's Hospitals. Homeless. Convalescent homes. Can you pick something to meet a need? Now is the time.

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