The Nativity, painted by Ted Henninger Matthew 1:18-24
8 Now the birth of Jesus Christ [the Christ] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed [engaged] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Isaiah 7:14)
24When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife!
Jesus is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Joshua, meaning 'God is salvation'.
Mary had choices, the angel heard Mary agree to God's plan. Joseph, also, had choices multiplying after looking for compassion. Jesus had choices as well. The Pharisees wonder if Jesus will flee - what choices Jesus would make. Jesus was asked for an interview by Greek Jews of Crete - Cretans have a reputation for laziness and gluttony - perhaps they heard Jesus was an eater and drinker - they wanted Jesus on Crete. Titus was one of the 70 disciples (2 were taken by fire, recall!) and Titus lived to be quite old according to old Church histories - the age of 94 as Bishop of Crete. Jesus was walking a different path. One of Salvation.
John 7:30-35
30 At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. 31 Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, "When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?"
32 The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him. 33 Jesus said, "I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. 34 You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come."
35 The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36 What did he mean when he said, 'You will look for me, but you will not find me,' and 'Where I am, you cannot come'?"
John 12:19-28
19 So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!"
Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
Jesus, being in the world, was presented with options. Jesus, being God, wanted to fulfill God's plan of salvation. Because Jesus is our atonement, He is our Messiah.
Thank you, Father, for the gift of Your Son. Thank you, Jesus, for your willingness to be grace and truth living among us. Thank you, Holy Spirit, You never depart from us.
Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Joshua 1:5
No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Proverbs 3:3
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Matthew 28:20
I am with you always
Father God, when You look to our Souls the only eternal aspect of us. What do You hope to see? You are not that far from us - dwelling within us - yet You are vast we ask to see with Your eyes what You delight in.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Love!!! Affection, appreciation, fondness, friendship, passion, respect, tenderness, yearning, adulation,
allegiance, ardor, attachment, cherishing, delight, devotedness, enjoyment, fidelity, involvement, and like.
Joy! Comfort, delight, elation, glee, humor, pride, satisfaction, wonder, exultation, frolic, gladness, gratification, indulgence, merriment, rejoicing, revelry, and good humor.
Peace ~ love, hope, bounce, reconciliation, truce, unity, affability, concord, tranquility, calm, forethought, groundwork, restfulness, reflection, optimism. Generosity.
Forbearance. Fortitude, endurance, moderation, restraint, temperance, easy going. PATIENCE.
Goodness ...the expectation thereof!
Faithfulness - the willingness to do the right action even at a cost. Knowing you are giving more than what what would have been done for you. Loyalty. Endurance. Recreating a spark. Remembering past gratitude. Adherence. Care. Constancy. Dependability, trustworthy, giving truth.
Gentleness - tenderness and kindness.
Self-control - restraint.
When we turn to the Lord - the Lord is Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And when we behold the Glory of the Lord we are transformed into the image of His Glory - and we differ in degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is a Holy Spirit.
Father God, You ask us to look for what is pure and good and each day God's mercies renew. It is in loving - we renew.
In Jesus, we lift to You these qualities in ourselves, our loved ones, our friends, Church family, co-workers, merciful neighbors, and our communities, Churches, State, the Nation and the Nations worshiping You Father God. We ask Your blessings! Amen in Jesus. Always.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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