Matthew 12:14-21 ~ until He brings justice to victory, and in His Name the gentiles will hope

God would choose His Son to be born to an unwed mother in harsh conditions. To live this life.

When Christmas is not the Happiest Season of All.

We look in the Bible to find God walking the realities of this life. Jesus tells us life is Joy and gives us situations to know and remember when life is in difficulty.

The King of Kings has seen trouble and lived to overcome.


Matthew 12:14-21

14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah [42:1-3]:

18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Let's open our Bibles and find the time Jesus said, "Not today - you don't count - come back tomorrow - not Youuu, oh gosh, no."

Jesus wasn't a sidewalk hack or a temperamental star.

And Jesus could be relied upon to be unique. God's  Exact Nature. Yes, He healed them all.

And yet. And yet. And yet. One day.

Jesus said - you don't really count.
Another day - Jesus was too busy to go to a friend.

I remember a lot of miracles, the ones written about in more than a few sentences. Yet that small phrase "healed them all". Sometimes Scripture says they sought to touch Him & not just Jesus reaching out. Sometimes He physically touched them, and it also says merely, "He healed them all."

The age: slavery, war, destruction, highway robbery, people born blind & the parable of the Good Samaritan - this was a difficult time.

 Not just the people who were deaf, blind, ill, but the sorrow of the people who had seen difficult things happen to loved ones. Children who died, loved ones who died in child birth, people who were well and suddenly died of fever. There are a lot of stipulations in the Bible for the fatherless and the widow.

The hopeless, the fearful, the lonely & the cut to the quick.

These people who found Jesus had put aside the every day of life, they sought Him. Jesus didn't stay to quarrel, debate the Pharisees, shock, anger, and create a stir - - -

Jesus - from time to time - said, "No."

No? Surely Jesus repaired the bruised reed. Jesus rekindled the flickering flame, the light became a torch. Jesus gave hope & mercy to the word - justice. Jesus didn't select a few, the light of Jesus Christ is for all.

Jesus stood and was asked by the disciples to get rid of the woman to whom He said, "No."










Matthew 15
22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”


23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

God being God says what God would understand the best.

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”






 

The disciples came from, largely, Capernaum. A city created rather recently due to the need for food and goods by the Roman Empire. The Disciples knew gentiles and had argued for the Capernaum Centurion. NO WONDER why the disciples wanted the Canaanite woman swept past.

Aren't we glad the Holy Spirit never swept past us and left us wondering. 
Nasty ol Goy. Om. That's us. 
Shabbas goy. Gentile — goy·ish adjective, sometimes disparaging.

Funny of God when HIS mission statement is to save the World. 

What is Jesus doing saying "NO." God doesn't need to prove all the time that He is good. He is a Monarch. 

The woman Expected Jesus to do Good. She expected Him to be the "Helper."

The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

This is justice to the Gentiles - who never did help Israel. Jesus does Not owe her.

She does not retreat from seeing Jesus as merciful.

“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”





This Canaanite woman might have read about David. David routinely got into trouble. And the less loving prophets like Gad would come in to predict something Terrible. David would say, "Let me fall into the hands of God. He is merciful."



Mostly no parent in the world, wants their children to have to beg them. Unless, That Parent knows a valuable lesson will be learned. He expects their heart to teach others. Jesus is returning the favor of her trust.





 

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” 

And her daughter was healed at that moment.

We learn. Jesus intended us to.

1. Jesus does not owe us.

2. He feels free to say, "No.".

3. Jesus trusts people.

4. Jesus especially trusts people who trust Him for solutions and miracles.

5, Jesus, just like His Father, wants His People to Expect Good from Him.

6. Jesus once told us the story of the persistent woman with the Judge. Jesus expects to answer those who keep asking. Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

7. Jesus doesn't expect us to treat Him as a waiter. The woman of faith knew Him to be Sovereign.


Thank You, Jesus Christ Lord. For answering our prayers. We will Trust in You. Amen. 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Psalm 113 ~ Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore!

Psalm 113

Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!

Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore!

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!

The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!

Cathedrals crowded daily with seeing the Light of The Lord

Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,
who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap,

to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.

He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children.

James, Jude, Joses, Simon

The Sisters of Jesus, daughters of Mary and Joseph

The Children of God not born of man, but of the Will of the Father.

Praise the LORD!

Abba, Holy Father,

4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name, and rejoice before him.

5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.


Abba, with Your Twenty Thousand Chariots, we look to Tomorrow to see the herds of Your horses in Your Kingdom.

The Beauty and Majesty of Your Plan.

Bless us and enfold us with the Blessings You load upon us.

Lavish those we Love.

Bless the Nation trusting in You during the Holidays. Let all of earth have more Heaven upon us.

Remove all Christmas colds and cares.

You save the world in Jesus Christ.

Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Matthew 25:1-13 ~ The Kingdom of Heaven will

The Kingdom

The Power and

the Glory

 Jesus' Gift To His Father

Enfolding

His Hope and Future

His Goodness

and His Plan

Encompassing
Ages
and Nations

Saving All the World in Jesus Christ

Matthew 25:1-13

1 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be

Like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 


Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 

The wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 

 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 

7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 

 But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' 

10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.

12 But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 

13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.





When we think of Public Opinion, it's good to find what Success and Sales would say:


Charles Dickens didn't feel the world fell into right and wrong and cultural divisions. Dickens believed in Shepherds and flocks. Dickens believed in small circles of people who behave alike together. And because of his own experiences of poverty, work house father, child labor, success, struggle, worry and stress - Dickens felt we had to work hard to keep our Lamp Going.

Dickens believed what we think we see in others can change. His mother did not want him taken out of child labor as the family prospered. His sister in law, so beloved, died in his arms. His brother embezzled from him. And his insights into human beings have long been regarded.

Jesus said

Matthew 7: 14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way

Does not conflict with with God wants to save all the world in Jesus Christ. We are to find Jesus and find our Path in Jesus. Finding in Matthew 25 next to the Lamps Burning, we find this:


Matthew 25 Continuing the Burning Lamp - The Light of the world - Jesus -

15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.


Why did the Master go away? The Father is the Father of the prodigal son. God has given us a purpose to run Home to our Father.


Ephesians 4:13
Continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son
we will be mature in the Lord,
measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.


Colossians 2 As the Lamps are lit

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,
which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness

God made you alive with Christ.
He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

Rejoice and again I say, Rejoice. 

The Compassion of God is at Hand. Love and Care are Seen.

The Fruit of the Spirit is tending the Flame of God's Love within us:

Love

action

appreciation

belief

devotion

emotion

intention

tenderness

cherishing

curiosity

delight

devotedness

duty

enjoyment

fidelity

flame

wonder

Joy

Blessing

Good Cheer

comfort

delight

hope

humor

satisfaction

wonder

exulting

felicity

festivity

frolic

fruition

gladness

gratification

hilarity

merriment

mirth

rejoicing

renewal

Peace

Hope - broadening our circle

Goodness

friendship

Love

reconciliation

forgiveness

And the Greatest of These is Love.

Abba,

Give us Your Blessing!!!

Let the Conversation Continue between us, Father God, for all days unto Eternity. Thank You!

You will indeed, indeed, indeed continue with us, with more than we can ask or imagine.

In Jesus strong Love, We will keep Christmas in our heart.

Rejoicing in the Spirit - for the Love and Care not just given but received. In times Past, Present and Future.

Believing in the Power of Prayer to our Willing Father.
In Rejoicing with the Believers of God asking for more Heaven on earth.

Lifting High this Nation trusting in God. Lifting Prayers with Hope, Faith and Love for our Loved ones and God's Great Plan of Hope and a Future.

Believing God saying His Creation is Good, yesterday, today and tomorrow. Seeing the Good.

Always in Jesus Christ, the Highest Name.

 Amen and Amen and Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Exodus 4 ~ the LORD had visited the people

Exodus 4

1 Then Moses answered, "But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, 'The LORD did not appear to you.'"

 2 The LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A staff." 3 And he said, "Throw it on the ground." So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, "Put out your hand and catch it by the tail"--so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand-- 5 "that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." 

6 Again, the LORD said to him, "Put your hand inside your cloak." And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, "Put your hand back inside your cloak." So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 "If they will not believe you," God said, "or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 

9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground." 10 But Moses said to the LORD, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue."

 11 Then the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak." 

13 But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else." 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, "Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs."

18 Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Please let me go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they are still alive." And Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace." 19 And the LORD said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead." 20 So Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. 

And Moses took the staff of God in his hand.

 21 And the LORD said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD, Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I say to you, "Let my son go that he may serve me." If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.'" 

24 At a lodging place on the way the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. 25 Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and touched Moses' feet with it and said, "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!" 26 So he let him alone. It was then that she said, "A bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision. 

27 The LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. 28 And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD with which he had sent him to speak, and all the signs that he had commanded him to do. 

29 Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. 

30 Aaron spoke all the words that the LORD had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people. 

31 And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.

The most basic part of Moses talking to God starts with the Road to Emmaus.

Are we touched by God here in Exodus 4?

We do believe this is God. We do believe, "Yes, I've had conversations with God."

Then we add in, He doesn't speak to my hearing ear, but I do believe this really sounds like God.

And then the next reaction is - I'd like to talk to God more and hear Him more.

After we read the Chapter a second time or look for the Living verses speaking to us, we wonder about God being upset with a mortal. God says we are all flawed and sin. Was Jesus  very forthright ?To the point of being Authoritatively in Command - to be seen as angry?



You bet. Jesus spoke up.




John 3

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him."

3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4

Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?"

10 Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.

12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?



Grumpy. Direct. Authoritative. Challenging. Opinionated. And, of course, GOD.


And how did Nicodemus take this Authority? We know, like Moses, like Nicodemus, God is going to be Right. Be Honest. Be Authoritative. Be in Command. And God is going to be correct. And God is filled with such tender mercy - Nicodemus was going to be excluded in important moments in the Sanhedrin. Continue on to care for the dead body of Jesus to the Prefect - To Rome Itself.

Israel Exploration Journal, an archaeological review in Israel, published this week a a 2,000-year-old copper alloy ring bearing the name of Pontius Pilate.

This has been studied for it's authenticity since finding it in the 1961. The ring was discovered in the late 1960s, one of thousands of artifacts, found in the excavation of Herodium, an ancient fortress and palace south of Bethlehem, in the West Bank. Recently researchers have methods to start analyzing those objects with advanced photography, were able to decipher the ring’s inscription.

It reads “of Pilates,” in Greek letters set around a picture of a wine vessel known as a krater, and is said by archaeologists to be only the second artifact from his time ever found with his name. Kraters - wine containers - are a common image in artifacts of that time and place.

Why would this be near Herod's Tomb? Crates of Wine? No. The ring was found in a room filled with bits of glass, shards of pottery, arrowheads, coins and other items. The language of the ring’s inscription is Greek, which Roman officials used to communicate with the peoples of the eastern Mediterranean. It could have been used for official correspondence by Pilate himself and his officials who had to sign his name.

Probably, Pilate had authorized Herod to use the ring and Herod had found this worthy to be saved for eternity as an honor showing Power and Rome. Pilate's inscription on the Title of the Cross was written in Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Greek was commonly used through the whole Mediterranean as the language of trade.

It is a Historical marker for conversations held between Herod and Pilate in Archaeology.

Mount Nebo is where Moses body was placed. Many people go to Mount Nebo to see the Land of Milk and Honey Jesus was to choose as His Hometown. Very few people hope to have conversation with Pilate or Herod. Many people hope to meet Moses in Heaven and to speak more with Jesus and Father God.


To see how the events unfold is to see the Very Wisdom of Father God.
And be able to say:

Abba, Holy Father,

We earnestly ask You today for Your tender-hearted, willing Blessings.

We'd like to have Your Heart, Your counsel, Your encouragement, Your answers, Your Hope, Your wisdom, Your Love, Your direction, Your humor, Your ways and Your Mercy. Blessing You knowing our plan and path is best when we are on Your Plan and Your Path.

We are bold to give thanks for the Children of God asking for more Heaven on earth. All our cares, held tenderly to Your Love. You care for us.

All Your Love for the people we Love.

For our Nation trusting in You.

For the nations of the world believing in You, trusting You to be our Light.

In the Name of Jesus, we thank You for bold access to Your Home as we Pray.

Blessings of Jesus in this Christmas Season,

Amen Amen Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †