I had thought I should do something relevant to the New Year, " More in 2024" or something along those lines....but this thought just won't leave me.
Why a Baby?, why the time frame in which He was born? I am speaking about Jesus of course.
Why the time?...I believe that God's timing is perfect! but also, there wouldn't be another Mary or Joseph. The two people to hear from God's Messengers and listen. Those specific Shepherds that would also see and hear a message and not pass it off as some strange fluke or refuse to follow the command to "go and see this baby"
📖 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:8-20
Those specific learned men who studied the stars, who gave up at least a couple years of their lives to go and see this child.
📖 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11
All their lives were changed because of this one event.
An event that would change the lives of so many as time moved forward.
He didn't come as a grown man
A baby that had to be innocent and helpless, who had to have parenting and care. There isn't a more humbling state.
📖 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7
He didn't come as a king as many of the religious leaders believed he would.
He came in the lowliest and humblest of situations so mankind would know that He understood their situation,
📖 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 1 Timothy 1:15
📖 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
that even though He was God, He would grow up and live like the "common man". Also, that it couldn't be said "He accomplished this" or "was able to do that" because of His wealth or status. All Jesus did and accomplished He attributed to His heavenly Father.
📖 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:38
He didn't come as a Spirit; He was flesh and bone and blood. He could scrape a knee, hit a finger with a hammer, have dusty feet and become tired and hungry. Be sad, and angry and happy and He could love.
📖 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. John 11:33-35
📖 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers. Mark 11:15-17
📖 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. John 4:6
📖 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. John 11:5
And have His flesh suffer and bleed
📖 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
and die, so that we might be saved📖 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 2 Peter 2:24
He didn't come as a woman. Because in the time in which He did arrive a woman wouldn't have been able to have to social freedoms that He had, to stand in front of crowds and speak and be heard, to even go into the inner sanctuary of the temples. But one thing to note, Jesus didn't not see or treat women as lesser than or property, as was the norm of that day.
📖 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) John 4:8-9
📖 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39-42
God's plan was...IS a perfect plan, perfect timing.
We can be sure that we are here, in this time, in this place for a purpose and a reason. God has a plan for our 2024!
We can rest in that for the new year. We may have resolutions and goals and lists....But God and His plan for us should be foremost.
That plan includes spending time with Him,
🙏in communication with Him (not just "wish list" prayers, but in gratitude and worship)
📙 in His Word reading the Bible daily.
👐Serving....showing others what it means to be a follower of Jesus, extending His love to ALL those we meet.
The rest of our year will go as He plans IF we focus our direction toward Him!
We know what He desires of us
📖 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
📖 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Mathew 22:37-39
And we trust His timing
📖 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
And no matter what 2024 brings HE promises...
📖 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
And look, it ended up being relevant to New Year!
🙏I pray that you Trust in God's timing this year, that you seek Him each day, you feel His love always and share it with those you meet. I pray for More in 2024!♥️
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