December 4, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
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.
No better truths to be reading at this time. My soul is bursting being fed by these truths hope everyone takes the time
Herod thought he could prevent Jesus from being king by finding out where he was and then killing all the baby boys from 2 years and under. This is how angry he was for he wanted to remain king. Herod being instrument of Satan tried to kill the Christ child and latter Satan used people to try to kill Jesus and finally did when Jesus was crucified. Little did he know that Christ would defeat death and Satan. This reminds me how Moses was saved and latter was used to save his people. A Type of Christ in the Old Testament. Just like Joseph was in the Old Testament. They both were used by God to save Israel. When Herod did this it was fulfillment of scripture. God is never surprised by anything but knows all. God directed Joseph and his family through dreams and the action of others in the fulfillment of prophecies to bring him to Nazareth. Latter we see Jesus as a 12 year old in the temple listening and asking questions. As the scripture says. Luke 2;52 [ And Jesus increased in wisdom and statue, and in favour with God and man.] We only know few things about Jesus early life but what is important is His time of ministry so we can be saved. His death and Resurrection. As John says in John 21;25 [ And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written everyone, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.] May God bless you.
The Life of Jesus 1.13 to 1.15
Advent 2023 – Day 4
Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?
What an evil man Herod was. How unthinkable to kill innocent children because you’re afraid one of them might be the true king of Israel. And yet that is the nature of the evil in the heart of man and the very reason why Jesus came to save us. And yet no person can thwart the plan of God and when things are safe, Joseph and his family return to Palestine…and even his choice to reside in Nazareth was prophesied. And to think Jesus wowed the scholars not because of His divine nature, but because, even as a young boy, he learned the Scriptures and was perfectly yielded to the Holy Spirit who gave Him counsel and insight. So as He grew, Jesus showed the character of being the Son of God even if He didn’t reveal the power He had until He was older.
Fear can drive us to do many things but Herrod certainly takes that to an extreme! So much innocent death to try to curb his fear of Jesus being the Messiah. Seems like confirmation that there was something different about Him right from the moments of His birth!
I think about how scared as a parent they must have been when they were looking for Jesus and how quickly that fear turned to confusion in His response that He was doing His Father’s business. I am always so intrigued at the emotions and the experience involved in parenting Jesus!
Herod in his free will attempts to thwart the plan of God for one little baby.
God directs individual men, Joseph and the Wise Men, through dreams. They obey His direction. God, knowing Joseph’s fears uses a dream again to direct him to Galilee.
God is Sovereign and man’s free will is not an impairment to His will.
He can work it all out just fine.
Herod must have been a very demented, evil, sick man. How could he justify killing babiy boys? You would think the Roman government would have a problem with this. And Joseph is led away from the carnage to a safe place for Jesus. God provides a way to fulfill his purposes despite Satan’s schemes to alter them.