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angels, Bethlehem, Lamb of God., Messiah's birth, shepherds

The Messiah’s Secret – The Birth of Jesus

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The  Messiah’ Secret –  The Birth of Jesus
    Reading. Luke 2:8-20 
Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.          Micah 5: 2.              
 
Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem came about through the Romans putting in place a census for the purpose of future taxation. Herod the king implemented the decree of Caesar, he directed a general registration to all of the people, to go to their own city, and be enrolled according to their tribes or families. Joseph and Mary were betrothed and both were descended from the line of King David, so they travelled from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census.
 
Bethlehem could not cope with the numbers of people arriving. When Joseph and Mary reached Bethlehem they struggled to find accommodation in the Inns. A stable was the only place found available to give shelter, rest and warmth and that night Jesus was born. 
 
The Shepherds
After the birth of Jesus shepherds who were watching their flocks in the nearby fields when suddenly an angel appear before them. The angel told the shepherds of the Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem This would be a sign to them, he was cradled in a manger. A great number of angels appeared and they were all praising God.                                                                                                              
 
Bethlehem was noted for the flocks of sheep kept near to the town. Lambs were reared for the sacrifices made at the temple. The shepherds who looked after these flocks were not like the shepherds looking after the sheep on the surrounding hills, they had the reputation for not being  reliable.
The shepherds who looked after the temple sheep were observant of the law, they were religious men. The temple flocks were watched all the year round, great care was taken over them as they were inspected for their perfection. Only the best of the flock were acceptable for the sacrifices.                                       
 It was significant that the shepherds looked after the lambs. The angels sang echoing the trumpet blast and the singing took place when the sacrifice was laid upon the altar , ‘Glory to God in the highest.’  “The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah” by Alfred Edersheim.
John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God. Jesus was sacrificed for the sins of the whole world. He was not born to condemn the world but to save the world.
 
The Sign
After the angels left their presence, the shepherds decided to find the new born babe in Bethlehem.  It was possible that other babies had been born in Bethlehem that night, but it was unlikely that any would be lying in a manger for his bed. This sign was fulfilled when the shepherds found Joseph and Mary and the baby in the manger.
 
There was great rejoicing by the angels and the shepherds over God’s good will towards the people of the world. Peace on earth has yet to be fulfilled, but the peace in our hearts that Jesus gives to those who believe in him. 
                                                                                                                      
                                                                                          .                                                                  
angels, Archangel Gabriel, Census, infant Jesus., shepherds

The Messiah’s Secret – Archangel Gabriel’s message to Mary

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“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but now is disclosed and through prophetical writings is made known to all nations to the command of the eternal God, to bring about obedience of faith.”Romans 16: 25-27
The mystery that was kept secret was the birth of the Messiah and that the Gentiles were to become fellow heirs of this mystery.

To disclose means – to bring something to light.
“It was near Christmas and two boys went to stay with their Grandma. As they both knelt beside their beds to say their prayers. The younger boy began to say his prayer at the top of his voice, “I pray for a biycle and a nintendo game.” His brother whispered to him, “Why are you shouting, God isn’t deaf?” His brother answered, “I know, but Grandma is.”

The prophesies in Isaiah were brought to the light by Archangel Gabriel.
“And the Lord said, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”.Isaiah 7: 14
“For unto us a child is born a Son is given, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of his peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom to establish it, and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore, the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9: 6, 7.

Archangel Gabriel delivered important messages from God to a small number of people recorded in scripture.
The prophet Daniel when he saw Gabriel he noted that he had the appearance of a man.
Gabriel came to Daniel in response to his prayer were he requested understanding of the vision that God had given to him concerning the end times. Daniel 8: 15. 9: 21-end

Also Gabriel appeared in the temple at Jerusalem at the hour of incense. Where he spoke to Zechariah the priest on duty confirming to him that Zechariah’s prayer had been answered. Elizabeth his wife would conceive and give birth to a son who would be the herald announcing the coming of the Messiah. Luke 1: 10, 11.
“He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God and he will go before the Messiah in the power and spirit of Elijah . . .to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1: 16, 17.

Following Gabriel’s visit to Zechariah six months later Gabriel visited Mary at her home in Nazareth. Gabriel’s greeting was a surprise to her, “Hail. O favoured one, the Lord is with you,” she questioned in her heart what the implications were.
Gabriel maybe sensed that she was afraid. Her fear must have been very real when he mentioned that she was going to have a baby boy who she must name him, Jesus.
Gabriel’s word to Mary in verse 32 confirming the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; his kingdom will never end.”
I don’t think the titles and greatness of the child registered in her mind because of wondering who the father was going to be as Mary was betrothed to Joseph. Luke 1: 26-38
Under Jewish law a woman found by her husband not to be a virgin after their marriage meant that he could expose her and she could be stoned to death by the men of the city. Deuteronomy 22: 13-21
Mary’s response brought out her fear. “How shall it be, I have no husband?”
Gabriel’s answer to her was that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her. Mary would know about the Holy Spirit from the Hebrew Scriptures: The Holy Spirit hovered over the waters of the earth and creation followed. Genesis 1: 2.
I think that this disclosure about the Holy Spirit to Mary gave her understanding that God was going to be the Father and the child was to be the Son of God.

Once the message became clear, fully disclosed, Mary responded in faith.
“Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord: Let it be to me according to your word.”
Gabriel assured her that nothing was impossible with God and then he left.

The disclosure of the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy to Mary that God had chosen her, led her to obedience of faith.
In Mary’s obedience of faith we see wisdom, trust and discernment, it wasn’t blind obedience.
Mary in her wisdom questioned Gabriel, “How shall it be, I have no husband?” She had genuine fears that could have put her life in danger. Mary, I feel trusted that the Lord would undertake with Joseph.
Mary discerned that God would be the Father through the operation of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps Gabriel’s news about Elizabeth pregnancy, convinced Mary that God was able to do the impossible. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth being too old to have children.

Disclosure is an aspect of faith.
Disclosure is to bring to the light something which is proposed and can not be worked out, it is accepted by faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. By faith we understand that the world was created by the Word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear.” Hebrews 11: 1,2.

When a mystery like God being the Father of Jesus is disclosed to us, we made a response, to either believe or have doubts.

If you are not sure, maybe you can be persuaded to consider the evidence:

Existence of Angels
Christians David and Jessica’s encounter with an angel. They were out walking on the moors when the mist came down as a result they got lost. As they pondered which way to go, a man appeared out of the mist, they asked him for his help and he gave them directions. As they set off they turned to thank the man, but he had vanished, they looked around but there was no sign of him. They believed he was an angel although he had the appearance of a man.

The Conception.
God intervened in world affairs when Mary conceived without another human being involved. To me it is like a person being healed by prayer. God answers the prayer without the flesh being touched. Healing the sickness or disease without any drugs or surgery, for with God nothing is impossible.

Only God could do these things.
Jesus when he grew up showed miraculous powers were at work in him that only the creator of life could perform like: raising the dead, changing water to wine, walking on water, stilling the storm, healing leprosy, opening the eyes of the blind, healing all manner of sickness and disease.
Man’s creativity
I am amazed by the technology of today; microwave ovens came about through microwaves being accidentally discovered in 1945. American engineer Percy Spencer was working on an active radar set when he noticed that a chocolate bar he had in his pocket started to melt. The radar had melted the chocolate bar with microwaves. This technology has revolutionised cooking meals.
Faith in Jesus
Computers and digital technology is truly amazing, but let’s look again at the miracles Jesus performed with only two or three words like: “Be clean,” “Peace! Be still!” “Go in peace,” “Stretch out your hand.” ”Your faith has made you well.” The man with the withered hand was restored like his other hand, men who were blind could see again. The deaf could hear and the dumb could speak.

Surely this is evidence enough to prove that Mary gave Jesus his humanity and his divinity came from God his Father.

This chorus is my prayer for anyone who doubts the ‘Virgin Birth.’
“Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him. Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen: O open our ears, Lord, we want to see Jesus.” Robert Cull 1976 Maranatha! Music. Word Music (UK)

The Census required Joseph and Mary to set out from Nazareth and go to Bethlehem. They must have been concerned about the strenuous journey knowing that at around nine months the baby could be born at any time. After arriving at Bethlehem they searched for accommodation hastened by the probability that Mary’s labour pains had started. The Inn was full the only place out of public gaze was the stable, where Mary gave birth to Jesus.
I wonder how Joseph and Mary were feeling at the time, thankful that they had made it to Bethlehem and how difficult it must have been in not finding a room at the Inn. However the relief and joy they must have felt when Mary gave birth in the quietness of a stable. The first cry from baby Jesus must have thrilled them both.

The shepherds responded to the disclosure by the angels of an infant, who was the Christ, that had been born in Bethlehem that night so the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found baby Jesus lying in a manger.

December 11 2011
It was disclosed to me by my sister that her son Garth 34 years who lives in Melbourne Australia on Sunday 11 December accepted Jesus as his Saviour, a child born into the kingdom. Great news.

Archangel’s call
The next occasion when an Archangel is mentioned is in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians.
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with the voice of the Archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Thessalonians 4: 16
The Archangel coming with Christ calling out the believers to meet the Lord in the air. Those who have died in faith and those who are alive on the day of Jesus’ coming. The church made up of both Jew and Gentiles. Abraham’s descendants are the families of the earth who have accepted Jesus as their Saviour.
“God gave to your fathers saying to Abraham “And in your posterity (descendants) shall all the families of the earth be blessed. God having risen up his servant (Jesus) sent him to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness.” Acts 3: 22-26.

Happy Christmas
(Doxology – A hymn expressing praise and honour to the Trinity.Romans 16: 25-27)