The whole event began centuries before theĀ manger and the star. It began with God speaking the world into motion. With the world falling into sin. With God’s great love for His people. With our transformation from sinners to children of the King of Kings.
Mary and Joseph would have had a long journey on foot. The distance is roughly 90 miles and they would have chanced facing dangers from snakes, wild cats, wild dogs, bandits and even Samaritans. They would also most likely have been required to rest of the Sabbath, making the journey even longer.
The dangers were amidst them, but so was the power of God, and where God’s power is, so is peace and safety. Until it was His time, nothing could harm Jesus. But it is not likely that Mary knew that. She would have had many reasons to fear, and yet she still traveled. Because she was confident that the same God who sent angels to her to deliver an ancient promise, would also guide her and her baby to safety.
Bethlehem was known for it’s perfect, spotless lambs for sacrifice. One night, over two thousand years ago, a baby came to the small city of David to be born the last and greatest sacrifice for all of our sins. Whenever we go through our days, let us remember that we are free, saved and forgiven, only because Jesus came to be born in a stable, hated by so many, killed for the sake of us, forsaken by God until He rose blameless from the grave. All because of us.
What can we give Him in return? Nothing. Nothing is worthy. Yet all He asks for is our hearts.
Category: Love
A little dinosaur reminding us of Christ’s love
Does anyone remember Land before time? I mean the real one, not the new one?
Have you ever thought of how that movie is a great representation of our relationship with Christ?
Don’t give up on me just yet. Let me show what I mean. Littlefoot, the cutest Dino ever, ends up having to walk across the wasteland due to what I would guess to be Pangea splitting in the continental drift.
On his journey, he runs into Sarah. The 3 horn in their world, the Triceratops in ours, and she tells him that they can’t journey together, because he’s not of her kind, so he goes and journeys on his own. Having lost his mother and being totally broken at heart he feels like he will always be alone. Yet as he journeys, he meets several others who are not his kind, who are also journeying alone, and who are frightened and need somebody to care for them. So he puts the differences aside, and allows them all to come with him. And he cares for them and protects them. And then when we have Sarah join back up with the group, she decides to take charge, and she argues with him at every step and tries to show that she is smarter. And eventually, her wrong opinions (which claim to know an easier path) lead all of the friends except Littlefoot, who knows to go the right direction, astray. Isn’t that exactly like our relationship with Jesus, right down to the wandering the wastand and finding friends to wander with him? More than that though, His knowing the answers, His finding lost and broken people in this world and putting aside the fact whether we’re black of skin or white, or we’re Chinese or we have a limp, or we have freckles, none of that matters to Him as long as we are willing to love Him and serve Him, and then He guides us and lets us follow Him. He protects us and then out of nowhere comes the devil whispering in our ear (or shouting) saying Jesus is wrong and that he knows an easier way. Taunting us with “Why are you taking the hard way?” And because we’re human and dumb, we go and we follow the devil’s voice. Even though Jesus has led us the right way up until now. Do we all remember what happens when things get hard? After the other children choose to follow Sarah, instead of Littlefoot?
She ends up leaving them all behind and not even noticing when they fall into turmoil. Yet as soon as they cry for help, little foot comes running. Shouting, “hang on guys, I’m coming.” Isn’t that just like Jesus as soon as we run into trouble? Even though we chose to follow the devil instead of Him, when we call for help He comes running saying, “hang on guys. I’m coming.” Why? Because He loves us and He is the eternal perfect leader. Let us give our lives to Him and trust in Him. Now we all remember that Sarah does get her redemption because Littlefoot allows her to continue to join them. In fact, he even saves her on several occasions throughout several different movies.
Now the devil doesn’t have that chance to be rescued, but the vialist of sinner does, and Jesus will reach out to even those who have hurt Him the most because He is our God and we love Him. More than that, He loves us.
Mother’s day
Thinking on the day, being mother’s day, I can’t help but think of what really makes a mom. This thought took me to flowers.
Flowers nurture their babies, primarily by providing nourishment and protection until they are ready to grow independently. This is achieved through the development of fruit and seeds, which contain stored food reserves and protective structures. Additionally, some plants have mechanisms to ensure their offspring remain near favorable environments, such as sending out runners or developing seedlings while still attached to the parent plant.
It’s funny to think of. A plant that cannot think or feel is God designed to care for and grow it’s seeds. It does it naturally, automatically, because that’s how God made it to function.
Human mothers aren’t so fortunate. They have to make a choice to be a good mom. These women have decided that raising and caring for their children even at risk and cost to themselves is more important than being free to do as they please or to live for themselves. Because as a mother you never live for yourself, you are always living someone else. Not all women can handle this, so they choose not to have children or keep their children. Foster care is full of kids whose mothers cared more about themselves then about their children. There are a few who gave their children up for the sake of the child. But not many. I say this because being a mom is hard work. It’s not always fun, in fact it is mostly hard work and stress. So to the mothers who chose to brave this path and to stick it out to the end. You are amazing! You are rare and valuable. Keep at it. Keep going. What you do is important.
When I think of how and mother cares for her children in that way of sacrifice, I obviously think of my mom. Especially lately. I have been so busy with school I don’t always remember what day it is or to brush my hair. I know that sounds terrible, but this is truly how busy it’s been. Then today came. Mother’s day. My mom made our family a nice breakfast. I should have made her breakfast. She had baked a cake for mother’s day. I should have made it for her. I did recall to have a present for her. But she cleaned up the kitchen. It was supposed to be her day. She made it special for everyone else. When I told her how sorry I was, she smiled and shook her head. Then she limped to her chair because the day had caused her pain.
That’s a mom. That’s what it means to be a mother. Sacrifice. Love. Determination. Faith. Mothers rely of Jesus to pull them through these tough days and they thank Him each time they get to smile or laugh with their child.
Anyone can be a mom. Even a plant. But it takes someone whose power comes from the savior, someone who keeps going despite the pain and weariness, someone who protects and cares for those around her, to be a mother.
Happy Mother’s day.
Following the fourth Wiseman- Continuing on
Several years have passed since our travelerās experience meeting the Messiah. He has seen many miracles and many hardships. He had know when Jesus had sent him into the world to tell people about what he had seen and heard regarding Jesus, that it would not be easy. Yet there were days when he thought he could not continue on. He often wondered about the other disciples. He had heard stories about them and even the works of a man named Paul. He wondered if they ever felt worn down and hopeless? Yet every time he felt he could not carry on, our traveler recalled the words of his Messiah.
John 16:33 ESV
[33] I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.ā
These words and the presence of his Messiah kept our traveler going. Telling the good news of Jesus everywhere he went. Until the end of his days.
We often feel like we just canāt keep going. We donāt have enough faith to tell one more person about Jesus. We donāt have enough courage to continue on the path He has put before us. We are just too tired to keep trying. The hate against us is so strong. The mockery, so constant. Why talk to people when they donāt believe?
Then the words of Jesus come back to us. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the Earth. Jesus has already overcome it all. I like the thing I saw that said, Jesus has walked on the tops of the waves you thought would bury you. There have been so many waves I thought would bury me, but when I felt I was going under I looked up and I saw the hand of the savior reaching down, that hand has kept me going. Iām sure it has kept many of us going. Thereās no promise things will be easy. But He has risen, and because He is risen. We have a reason to keep on trying to trust him to go forward in faith.
This world is hard at times, but God.
John 3:16 ESV
[16] āFor God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Following the fourth Wiseman- Breakfast on the beach
Our traveler has tried to remain with the disciples ever since the upper room. He lost track of them a couple of times but has now managed to follow them to the sea. They decided to go back to fishing. They don’t know what else to do. He asks if he can join them and they agree. As he works to become used to fishing he sees something that changes his world forever.
John 21:1-7, 9-10, 12 ESV
[1] After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. [2] Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. [3] Simon Peter said to them, āI am going fishing.ā They said to him, āWe will go with you.ā They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. [4] Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. [5] Jesus said to them, āChildren, do you have any fish?ā They answered him, āNo.ā [6] He said to them, āCast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.ā So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. [7] That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, āIt is the Lord!ā When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.
[9] When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. [10] Jesus said to them, āBring some of the fish that you have just caught.ā
[11] So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.
[12] Jesus said to them, āCome and have breakfast.ā Now none of the disciples dared ask him, āWho are you?ā They knew it was the Lord.
Our traveler waits at a short distance and watches as the Messiah goes off with one of the disciples. Then He returns and he looks at our traveler and smiles. Our traveler goes to Him and falls to his knees.
“My Lord, you do not know me…”
The Messiah kneels in front of our traveler and takes his face in His hands, “I know you.”
Our traveler’s eyes fill with tears one more time and he is embraced by the Messiah.
“I could not get to you sooner.” Our traveler weeps.
“You have arrived when my Father planned for you to arrive.”
“I was meant to be here?”
“You were meant to go and tell the other Magi who had followed the star all those years ago, what you have seen and heard so they can tell others. Spread this as far and wide as you can travel. You are my traveler, after all.”
Our traveler smiles. In the end. He was not late. He had not missed his chance. He was where his Messiah had always meant for him to be.
In the calling of the deciples all those weeks ago, our traveler had wondered if he too could follow Jesus? Despite his inadequacies. Now, because of the cross he has his answer. Yes. Yes he cam follow him. Yes you can follow Him, more than that, He is calling you to.
Following the fourth Wiseman- the upper room
Our traveler is making his way through the dark and deserted streets of a night where both men and women were afraid of what might come. The Roman’s were searching, convinced someone had stolen the body of the Messiah from the tomb. There was a strict curfew and the deciples were being hunted for questioning. Our traveler is careful to dodge all light from the torches in the city walls as he walks. Suddenly a man bumps into him. They look at each other in fear. Then they realize that they are in safe company. Our traveler recognizes the man as one of the Messiah’s followers. The other man invites him to join him, he is going to meet the other deciples in an upper room. Our traveler happily agrees. When they arrive the room is in a buzz as the deciples discuss excitedly an event that had just taken place.
John 20:19-23 ESV
[19] On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, āPeace be with you.ā [20] When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. [21] Jesus said to them again, āPeace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.ā [22] And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, āReceive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.ā
Our traveler is amazed he has so many questions, but to his shock the man with him denies what the others have said. He will not believe unless he sees it with his own eyes. Our traveler places a hand on the man’s shoulder. He had been the exact same before his time spying on the tomb in the garden. The hurt from what he had seen had made him doubtful, this man felt it too. By the looks on the faces of the others, our traveler can see that they too had veen skeptical at one time. But now that they had seen Him they could never doubt again.
When we have had a horrible situation it is easy to doubt that anything good can come from it. Even when we see something similar arise it’s easy to fear because of the past. We have been Thomas. Standing in the upper room full for grief, thinking the pain of loss has driven his friends crazy. Then Jesus appears and puts all the doubts to shame. Jesus is with us in the bad times and the good. We cannot cling to old pain, we must last it go and focus on what Jesus is doing now.Ā He is always working something new,Ā for our good.
Following the fourth Wiseman- I will raise this temple again in three days.
Our traveler sees the soldiers bring down the bodies from the crosses. A man comes whom our traveler does not know, and the man has his servants carry the body of the Messiah away. Our traveler sees the man Nicodemus follow and quietly goes to join him. The man looks at him.
“What is that in your hands?”
Our traveler looks down at the cloth. Something he had once thought was of great worth, “a gift, for Him.”
Nicodemus touches our traveler’s shoulder and they walk together to where the Messiah would be laid.
John 19:38-42 ESV
[38] After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. [39] Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. [40] So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. [41] Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. [42] So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Nicodemus looks at our traveler once again. “Did you hear what He said? Before the earth shook?”
Our traveler shakes his head.
“He said, ‘Father forgive them.’ He asked for God’s forgiveness for us despite all that pain.”
Our traveler feels his heart tearing apart inside him. “It is kind. We are all to blame.”
“If we believe the prophecies. Then yes.”
“Did you know this would happen?”
“No. But now that it has, the words of the prophets return to my mind, and I feel like I understand a little.”
“Then you are better off than I am. For I understand nothing.”
“Perhaps that is why we met. So when thos day came, I could be here with you. He said something strange.”
Our traveler laughs, “everything He said was strange. Yet, so true.”
“Yes but. Now I recall hearing that he had said if we destroyed the temple He would raise it again.”
“Yes, in three days. It made some of the… I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It made some of us religious leaders angry. But now I wonder at what He meant?”
“Why now?”
“I’m not sure. It just seems to be important somehow. Now more than ever.”
Sometimes God will bring someone you never expected into your life to help you through the worst times. Sometimes it’s someone you don’t like. Sometimes it’s someone you don’t know. Sometimes it’s a friend or relative. It is always amazing to see how God uses people in our moments of Sometimes. The saddest part of the cross was that Jesus was alone. He died alone. Yes, there were people who loved Him near by, but God turned His face from Him. No matter how surrounded by friend we are, without God we are truly alone. In the same light, it does not matter how alone we are, with God we are never alone.
Jesus was buried for three days. He fought the devil, took the keys and freed those lost to death. For three days He was in a battle and on the third He left the grave victorious. We can also leave the grave in victory, if we choose to die to our old selves and to live with Christ.
Following the fourth Wiseman- It is finished
Our traveler is confused and angry. He does not understand. He looks around and can find no one to speak to who could stop what was happening. All those who stood around were laughing and taunting. In the distance our traveler can make out a figure of great power, the man whom had told him of his meeting on the rooftop with the Messiah, Nicodemus. Yet, when he begins to walk toward him oir traveler sees that the man no longer looks like one of power. He looks tired and worn. His eyes turn on our traveler and he shakes his head. There is nothing he can do. In desperation our traveler runs toward the cross. Determined that he will tear the horrible thing from the ground with his bare hands and save his King himself. But as he draws near he sees that there is nothing he can do. Now, there is nothing anyone can do.
John 19:28-37 ESV
[28] After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), āI thirst.ā [29] A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. [30] When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, āIt is finished,ā and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. [31] Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. [32] So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. [33] But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. [34] But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. [35] He who saw it has borne witnessāhis testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truthāthat you also may believe. [36] For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: āNot one of his bones will be broken.ā [37] And again another Scripture says, āThey will look on him whom they have pierced.ā
The ground shakes and our traveler falls to his knees in the blood and mud around the cross. He takes the gift from his bag. The one he would have given to the Messiah all those years ago, if only he had made it in time. He holds it up.
“This my King…. this is for you. It is the finest linen from my part of this world. There is no linen softer, or made with a finer weave. It should have wrapped you as a child. Now I will give it to those who mourn you, and it can wrap your body for burial. I don’t understand. But as the man says. You must know what you are doing, even in this.”
It seems our traveler is always too late. Like he is forevermore missing his chance. Yet he has anyways been where he was meant to be. We often feel like we have missed our shot. Like we should have been someone else, somewhere else. Like the path we are on is one we would never have chosen for ourselves. Just because we don’t understand does not mean we have gone the wrong way. The path God chooses often feels wrong to us, that’s because the world gives us their opinion on what our lives should look like. Their ideas are not God’s, they could never begin to understand God’s path and will. Just because it feels like we are always too late does not mean we are late at all, it means God is holding us back for something else He has planned. It may not be something greater. Just different. Trust Him and His timing. He knows what He’s doing, even in this.
Following the fourth Wiseman- How dirty are my feet?
We pick up again with our traveler as he bends to lift his foot to a cloth. He has walked so long that upon entering the house he would stay in for the night, the owner insisted he wash his feet twice. Our traveler smiled. He had heard and odd story about the Messiah. It had been told to him by a young woman who had brought bread and drink up to a gathering of people who were at her master’s house for the night.
John 13:1-10 ESV
[1] Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. [2] During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simonās son, to betray him, [3] Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, [4] rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. [5] Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciplesā feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. [6] He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, āLord, do you wash my feet?ā [7] Jesus answered him, āWhat I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.ā [8] Peter said to him, āYou shall never wash my feet.ā Jesus answered him, āIf I do not wash you, you have no share with me.ā [9] Simon Peter said to him, āLord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!ā [10] Jesus said to him, āThe one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.ā
Our traveler wondered at what the Messiah had said. “Why were not everyone of them clean? Who was still dirty?” Our traveler finished drying his feet and went to his room. “Does it mean something specific that the Messiah said this?”
Our traveler blew out his candle and went to sleep.
You and I know that Jesus was speaking of Judas when he said not all of you are clean. I read something a few years ago that I have never forgotten.
“Jesus washed the feet of His betrayer.” I think it was Max Lucado who had done a sermon on this. However it was the first time I had thought of it. Jesus washed the feet of the man who would sell Him out, and He knew it. He knew Judas would betray Him and yet He washed His feet anyway.
Jesus knows who will betray Him. He knows who will walk away and stop loving Him. Yet He died for them anyways. For every person who said, “there is no God.” For every man who shouted, “I don’t need anyone but me!” For the girl who said, “I am the queen of my life and no one else.” For every person who walked away from Jesus and sought their own life a life without Him, a life not even half full, Jesus died for them. He washed their feet too. The brokenness of this world does not surprise Jesus, but it makes Him sad. We can hate Him and betray Him and He still loves us enough to wash our feet. If your feet are going to be dirty, let them be dirty from the dust of the road as you follow the Messiah.
Following the fourth Wiseman- A false palm branch
We find our traveler once again being pushed and jostled by a crowd. He had heard people shouting, “Hosanna!”
and knew in his heart that it had been because of the Messiah. Our traveler followed the voices and now he found himself in the midst of a crowd standing near the gate to Jerusalem. A woman bumps into him and looking at his hands she says,
“You do not have a palm leaf to lay down. Here, take one of mine.” She hands him a green branch and head on her way.
Our traveler looks with interest at the branch. Then he notices that people are waving the branches and placing them on the road. Our traveler rushes to the front of the crowd and adds his branch to the others just as the shiny young hooves of a donkey colt step past him. He looks up, “blessed….” he begins to say and then stops. The eyes that rest upon him are red with tears, but the face still smiled at him. The moment so enveloped him that our traveler forgot why he was there. He had been within speaking distance of the Messiah whom he had sought after for some 30 or so years, and he had been so sad at the pain in His eyes that he had forgotten to speak. To give his gift. To say “may you be blessed.” The moment had passed and the chance was gone.
“I did say blessed, I suppose that’s something.” Our traveler says to himself as He walks away.
Later he recalled all he had seen and had heard of the day.
John 12:12-16 ESV
[12] The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. [13] So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, āHosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!ā [14] And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, [15] āFear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkeyās colt!ā [16] His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.
We always see the triumphant entry as a happy moment. I mean, it literally called triumphant. Yet, it was a sad moment for Jesus. He had so badly wanted to see the people of Jerusalem change. He had wanted to love them. Yet they doubted Him. He rode in to cheers of the crowd, yet He knew their hearts were still cold. He fulfilled the prophecy. Yet it broke His heart. Hosanna. Save us we pray. How often do people shout Hosanna. Shout, save us. And don’t actually want to be saved. Save us, but let us stay how we are. Save us, but don’t change us or our lives. Save us, but leave us here to stay cold and dead inside. The people shouted Hosanna and then only a little while later shouted, crucify Him. How many false palm branches have we laid? How often have we shouted to be saved and not actually mean it?
Jesus came to save us in a very specific way. He did not overthrow the government. He did not kill the enemies of His people. He did not restore the earthly kingdoms. He came to save us from ourselves. To save us from our sins. Hosanna. Save us from the devil Jesus. Save us from falling into hopelessness. Save us from us.
Hosanna. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Carried in the cross 