December 4, 2022
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Reading along with us in our Advent readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 4 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Birth and Childhood of Jesus
Read Sections 1.13 through 1.15 (pages 14-16)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
The Life of Jesus
1.13 – 1.15
Day 4
The kings come to see Jesus. Who were they. A lot of speculation. But they traveled miles to see God in flesh. People that seek God today. Have no problem finding him. From day one enemy’s of God try to kill Jesus. Herod had killed his wife and some of his own children. Didn’t bother him to kill babies in Bethlehem. Funny how the scribes know right away of Malachi 5:2. How is it that the religious Pharisees missed that one. He was from Nazareth!! Always wondered if they knew Malachi 5:2 and dismissed it. Herod was appointed king of the Jews by the Roman’s No wonder he was disturbed. And all of Jerusalem with him. Is surprising. Still disturbs people today. Seek him like the wise men or be disturbed. It’s a choice everyone has to make!
Killing babies to maintain power…..
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
I have to say that the “easy to read” translation actually made this more complicated!
“The little boy Jesus was developing into a mature young man, full of wisdom. God was blessing him.”
😀
The heartache and sadness of Herod’s actions! To take all of those innocent lives, many of which there would have been no confusion that they were not Jesus, for his own evil pride and ambitions.
I always envision that Jesus staying at the temple at 12 years old must have been His only act of disobedience as He is always said to be perfect. In His way He was simply doing what was expected of Him for His Father, God not His earthly father Joseph, that carpenter. So cool that at that young age He was able to have discussions and share insights with those priests and the teachers at the temple. Again what it must have been like to be there amazes me!
“There is someone shouting in the desert:
‘Prepare the way for the Lord.
Make the road straight for him.’”
How barbaric and sinister to angrily, jealously, fearfully, flippantly and wantonly kill children like this. It just shows the nature of this evil king’s heart. And yet God protects His son and guides his earthly father to just the right place for him to be raised. He would be known as Jesus of Nazareth, and it starts right her. And when we consider at 12, Jesus was a year away from becoming a man in Jewish society, His parents not being quite on top of him, or him acting independent of them would not be that strange…..maybe better communication would be warranted, but not to be classified as disobedience. It would also be at this time that Jesus would choose a trade..usually following in His father’s foot steps…..which is exactly what is happening here. Certainly Jesus expects that His earthly parents should have known better…
Jesus and his family lived in Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod. Perhaps they used some of the wise men’s gifts to help them get by during this time. When they settled in Nazareth, the people there may not have known of Mary’s past so she could live without the scorn of being pregnant before marriage. I could feel the panic of Mary and Joseph when they were looking for Jesus. I can’t imagine how it must have for them to go through days of worrying that thier child (the Messiah) is missing! And I wonder why they didn’t think to look in the temple, and they didn’t understand Jesus’ words “why did you have to look for me? You should have known I must be where my Father’s work is”. And he obeyed his parents as he grew in wisdom and God and the people were pleased with him.