Christmas 2022
Micah 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Ruth 4:11-12.
From famine, loss and the death of Naomi's husband and sons, comes life. Matthew 1:5 tells us of the line from Ruth and Boaz to David and on to Christ - He who would be renowned in Bethlehem. Truly was Ruth to 'build up the house of Israel'.
The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Do not add to the word,
nor take from it,
that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God...
Luke 15:32
But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.
Rembrandt’s Prodigal Son.
Christ is the firstfruit of the risen (1 Corinthians 15:20).
In Leviticus 23:10 God tells Israel that they are to bring the firstfruits of their first Harvest of the promised land to Him. No grain was sown in the desert and the manna stopped with the firstfruits.
Christ rose from the dead on the day of the Festival of Firstfruits. By His death and resurrection, by His substitutionary sacrifice, He took away our reproach.
Titus 3:4-7
Jesus saves us, not because of the righteous things we do, but because of his mercy.
And thank the Lord for this - the best I have to offer are filthy rags compared to Almighty and Holy God.
Leviticus 3:16-17
God claims the best of every sacrifice for Himself. Just as we have no claim to the blood of Jesus' sacrifice.
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
Exodus 7:21-22
How were Pharaoh's Magicians able to perform signs and wonders? Well they could only manage for the first three. On the first, their serpents were eaten by that of Moses. On the second and third they made things worse. More blood, more frogs! And no undoing Moses curses.
Hardly a resounding demonstration of their skills, though it served to allow Pharaoh that false-sense of superiority that his men could conjure just as well as Aaron and Moses. By the fourth occurrence though even they conceded defeat admitting that 'this is the finger of God'.
While the magicians recognised God's authority however, Pharaoh wouldn't. For the next three trials he would face ludicrously small foes of gnats, flies, and a pathogen too small to see at all. An interesting episode for sure.
Exodus 4:15-16
Have you ever wondered why God had Aaron speak for Moses? A lesson that even the great prophet Moses struggled with self-doubt and human failing.
Matthew 10:19-20
Have you ever been in a situation where your fear and anxiety have suddenly given over to clarity and words have just come, like some miracle?
It is a miracle. It is the Holy Spirit working within you!
Genesis 11:4-5
Man said let's make a name for ourselves, and build a tower which will reach into Heaven. Then God came down to see the city, and the tower, which the sons of men had built...
Having shown Saul how much he must suffer in God's name, The Lord Jesus sends Ananias to open his eyes, and bring upon him the Holy Spirit.
Altarpiece depicting the conversion of Saint Paul by Ananias, 1786
Benjamin West (American, 1738-1820)
Ezra 9.6
I am ashamed to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.
Acts 7:58
Stephen is stoned to death.
Saul of Tarsus looks on, safeguarding the cloaks of those watching.
