Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-18

John the Baptist Prepares the Way ~

Today is our first reading of the synoptic Gospels.  These three books are called synoptic because they record many of the same events, sometimes to the letter.  It is thought that Mark wrote his account first with Matthew & Luke using his book as a jumping point.  However, each author tells the events according to their own style.  Mark focuses on the action & supernaturality of Jesus.  His is a fast-paced account written for those who lived outside of the area in which Jesus ministered.  Matthew focuses on the fulfillment of prophecy and is written to the Jewish community.  Luke liked careful investigation, he wanted to get the whole story recorded.  His account usually provides the greatest detail and is written for the Gentile community.

Let's take a look at what they had to say:

Matthew & Luke pretty much provide the same account, while Mark hits on the highlights.  John was the one prophesied in Isaiah 40:3 - the voice calling out in the wilderness 'prepare the way for the Lord.'  John was sent to get people ready to hear the the message of Jesus.  His message was pretty simple - stop talking the talk and start walking the walk.  You say you love God, but your actions don't show it.  So, give up this fake, shallow life & start truly living!!  Baptism was, & is today, a public act that tells the world, "I want to live my life for someone else! I'm going to live it for God."  How does John tell us to live for God?  Treat your neighbors as yourselves.  In fact, go so far as to make other people more important in your life than you make yourself.  Be a servant, treat people fairly with love and compassion.  You want to live for God, then show others His love.  This good advice hasn't changed in 2,000 years.  So take it to heart & start making some changes in your own life.  Take a good look into your heart & figure out if you need to start treating people with a little more compassion and sincerity.

Luke 2:41-52

Jesus at the Temple ~

Jesus was Jewish.  As a Jew, he followed God's law.  Three times a year, his family made the trip to Jerusalem for the pilgrim festivals:  Passover, Pentecost, and Sukkot.  This year, when Jesus was twelve-years-old, which is considered a man in Jewish culture, He stayed behind to learn in the Temple.  Unfortunately, his parents were unaware of this & search for him for days. 

Was this a sin?  Jesus staying behind?  No.  He was a man and capable of making his own decisions according to Jewish law.  In fact, He was perplexed by his parent's fear.  "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"

Does this mean that you as a teenager are allowed to simply go your own way?  Nope.  Sorry, in our country you are under your parents guidance until you are 18 (19 in Nebraska).  By law, you cannot make your own decisions, but require the approval of your parents.  In Jesus' day, by law, He was able to make his own decisions.  Notice how this reading ends, He returned to Nazareth with his parents and was obedient to them. 

Sin comes from the heart.  Your motivations are what will be judged.  So, spend some time looking into your heart today!  

 

Matthew 2:19-23

The Escape to Egypt ~

Notice how Joseph is guided by dreams?  Don't you wish you could be that certain about your life?  Well, you can.  He's called the Holy Spirit & he is your constant companion & counselor.  You know that small voice in the back of your head?  That's him, gently nudging you in the right direction.  The complication is you - you get to chose to listen to that voice or you can ignore it and go your own way.  Joseph chose to listen to the voice & it kept him out of danger.  It protected his family and it gave him a purpose in life.

We also have another prophecy today:  He will be called a Nazarene. 

Matthew 2:13-18

When Herod realized that the Magi weren't coming back, he ordered the death of every male child living in Bethlehem under the age of two.  However, Jesus was spared.  His father had been warned in a dream to flee to Egypt.  How long he stayed in Egypt is any one's guess.  We do know that his family remained in Egypt until the death of Herod.  We also know that he was living in Israel by his twelfth birthday. 

Regardless, this move to Egypt & the death of the male children were prophesied.  There are 60 major prophecies, and over 300 minor prophecies, concerning the Messiah.  As we read through the Gospels we will see how each one was fulfilled.  Currently, we have 4:
1)  The Messiah would be born of a Virgin - Isaiah 7:14
2)  The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem - Micah 5:2
3)  The Messiah would be called out of Egypt - Hosea 11:1
4)  The death of children in Bethlehem - Jeremiah 31:15

It is said that the probability of Jesus fulfilling 8 of the major prophecies is 1 in 10 to the 17th power or 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000!  Peter W. Stoner, who wrote a book called Science Speaks with Robert C. Newman, claims 100,000,000,000,000,000 silver dollars would be enough to cover the face of the entire state of Texas two feet deep. He says, "Now I've been to Texas. I've driven for days to get across Texas. Texas is a very big state. Who in his right mind would suppose that a blindfolded man, heading out of Dallas by foot in any direction, would be able, on his very first attempt, to pick up one specifically marked silver dollar out of 100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000?"

As we read, mark in your Bible each prophecy & watch how God works!

Matthew 2:1-12

The Visit of the Magi ~

Who were the Magi & how many of them came to visit?  And what kind of gifts are gold, incense & myrrh?

The Magi were priestly governmental leaders in Persia whose duties included the choice and election of the king of the realm.  Interesting that they proclaimed Jesus the King of the Jews.  It makes Herod's freak out a little more understandable, now doesn't it?  After all, these powerful men had just come to him with the news that a new king had been born, leaving Herod to jump to the conclusion that his own son would not be king. 

The arrival of the Magi set off a spark of alarm and interest to all who saw them.  These were not three lowly men on camel back.  No, this group of Magi would have traveled in force with a Calvary to insure their protection.  Word of their arrival would have spread far.  The prophecies were reviewed & the entourage was sent to Bethlehem.  However, they headed the voice of God in a dream & did not report their findings back to Herod. 

Upon their arrival at the humble home of Joseph and Mary, the Magi presented three gifts to Jesus - gold, incense, and myrrh.  What is that all about?  Myrrh is an expensive perfume made from the gum of a tree that grows in Ethiopia and Arabia. Myrrh was used in anointing oil and in embalming.  Jesus was embalmed with it in John 19:39.  Gold is just that, money & wealth.  Frankincense is derived from the gum of trees of the genus Boswellia.  It is used as incense and produces a sweet, pleasant odor.  It was a highly valued perfume.  These gifts provided wealth for the family. 

Luke 2:21-40

Jesus Presented in the Temple ~

Judaism has many commandments & traditions.  Mary & Joseph followed these traditions.  When Jesus was eight days old, they presented him at the Temple to be circumcised and named.  An offering was also given according to Jewish law.  While they were there, they encountered two people - Simeon and Anna.  These two had been patiently awaiting the arrival of the Messiah.  They recognized Him immediately and were overjoyed to see Him.  God's plans are so incredible to me.  He knows exactly what is going on.  He aligns each event.  He sees the hearts of people and delights in delighting us.  How awesome is He?

After presenting Jesus in the Temple - according to the law - they returned to Nazareth.  Luke tells us of his childhood - birth to 12 years - Jesus grew strong, was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God.

Luke 2:8-20

I find it interesting that the first birth announcement was given to shepherds, lowly nobodies in the Jewish society.  It shows that God doesn't not care about your social status, your wealth, your power or success.  God cares about everyone, everyone is equal.  How wonderful!

The shepherds told everyone they saw of what they saw, spreading the message of the Messiah.  And Mary, who had such a mother's heart, treasured all these events.  Jesus wasn't just God, he was a son, a member of a family.

Luke 2:1-7

The Birth of Jesus ~

It's a story that we all know - we hear it every year at Christmas.  Yet don't let it get stale!  Joseph took his family to Nazareth for the census.  There was no room in the Inn, so Mary gave birth to Jesus in a barn.  A very humble beginning for a very important (in fact, the most important) person in the world.  However, this marks the personality of Jesus Christ - humble.  Always humble.

Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph

Joseph was Mary's fiance.  In ancient Israel, an engagement was as binding as a marriage.  When Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant, he decided to divorce her quietly rather than have her disgraced & possibly stoned to death.  So, he was an upstanding man.  However, he too was visited by the angel.  Joseph was told that Mary was fulfilling prophecy, the name of the child was to be Jesus, and that he should go ahead & marry her. 

Notice Joseph had no questions or qualms regarding this message.  He got up & did what he was told - he married Mary.  However, they did not enter the marriage bed until after Mary gave birth to Jesus.  This is an important detail.  Mary was not a virgin until her death.  She & Joseph had other children.  Why is this important?  Because there are many who have given Mary a god-like status.  But she was just a woman.  True she was a righteous woman who was chosen for a very special task.  However, only God is to be worshipped.  Don't let others deceive you into believing a lie!

Luke 1:57-80

The Birth of John the Baptist

Elizabeth gives birth to a bouncing baby boy.  Following tradition, the baby is taken to the temple on the eighth day to be circumcised.  This is a lot like our dedication ceremony of infants.  According to tradition, this is also the day the baby is given a name.  Since Zechariah is still mute, those celebrating this event have suggestions about the name.  But Elizabeth knows what the name should be:  John.  "Well", the busybodies say, "That name won't work because it doesn't follow tradition."  Zechariah supports Elizabeth in the choice of the name (because really, he already questioned the angel once & look where that got him).  So, the baby is named John & Zechariah's mouth is opened & he is able to speak.  All of these signs make those around them wonder.  The Lord must have something special in mind for this child.  Hmmmm . . .

In fact, Zechariah gives a prophecy regarding his new son (notice this prophecy was spoken through Zechariah through the Holy Spirit.)  This prophecy looks back to the prophecy of the Old Testament.  A Messiah is to come & John is to be the prophet that prepares the hearts of men.  Ah, the plan is unfolding.

Luke 1:39-56

Mary Visits Elizabeth

After the angel's visit, Mary went to visit Elizabeth.  Elizabeth & her unborn child both recognized that Mary was carrying the Messiah.  Mary then sings a song of praise to God.  Notice that she is aware of Scripture, both it's history & it's prophecy.  It's good to know the Word of the Lord - you never know when it might be applicable to you. 

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months & then returned home. 

Luke 1:26-38

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary.  She lives in a poor little town called Nazareth.  She is a virgin, betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter.  Some say she was around 13 years old.  They married young in those days.  What I find interesting here is that Mary has a question for Gabriel, much like Zechariah did.  However, notice the difference in questions - Mary wonders how she will become pregnant, whereas Zechariah wanted to know how he could be sure he was being told the truth.  One had a question, the other had a doubt.  It all comes down to faith.

Luke 1:5-25

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

As I have said before, Luke is very detail oriented.  Here he provides us with a time, place, and background information:

First, we are given a time frame - during the reign of Herod king of Judea.  Herod ruled from 73 B.C. - 4 B.C.

Secondly, a place:  Jerusalem.  Both Zechariah & Elizabeth are from the line of Aaron- this is the line of priests.  Zechariah was a priest in the division of Abijah.  There were 24 priestly divisions that served in a rotating system.  Each division served for one week twice a year.  According to commentary by David Guzik,
"There were several lots cast to determine who did what at the morning sacrifice. The first lot determined who would cleanse the altar and prepare its fire; the second lot determined who would kill the morning sacrifice and sprinkle the altar, the golden candlestick, and the altar of incense. The third lot determined who would come and offer incense. This was the most privileged duty; those who received the first and second lots would repeat their duty at the evening sacrifice, but not with the third lot. To offer the incense would be a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Finally, a background:  even though Zechariah & Elizabeth were blameless, they were childless.  This was a mark of disgrace in these times. 

So, Zechariah is serving in the Temple, lighting the incense (a once in a lifetime event) & an angel appears, telling him that he will have a son.  Not just any son, but a son that will fulfill a prophecy - this son (to be named John) will usher in the coming of the Messiah.  As a priest, Zechariah is very aware of this prophecy.  Pretty interesting stuff!

However, Zechariah questions the angel.  He doesn't take the angel at his word, he wants some sign of assurance.  So, the angel strikes him mute until the child is born.  Talk about a sign! 

Zechariah finishes his serve in the temple, goes home, & Elizabeth becomes pregnant.  Now, watch the time line.  Luke tells us that Elizabeth was pregnant for 5 months before . . . well, we'll get to that tomorrow.