Right Town, Right Family Line

November 29

(Luke 2:4 NIV) “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.”

(Matthew 1:1 NIV) “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:”

(Matthew 20:30-31 NIV) ““Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" {31} The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!””

Old Testament Scripture prophesied Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah. That is where Jesus was born. Even before His birth, Jesus began fulfilling Old Testament prophesy. The prophets also said that the Christ would be born in the family line of David. This fits Jesus. His family traced through David, all the way back to Abraham. Matthew and many others call Him the “son of David”. The life and death of Jesus fulfilled hundreds of Old Testament prophesies. The chances of that happening by accident are astronomical -- so astronomical as to be impossible. But with God nothing is impossible. The Divine One who drew up the plan is the same Divine One overseeing the fulfillment of the plan. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, fulfills Scriptural prophesy because He is the one who put those prophesies into the hearts and mouths of the prophets to begin with. Jesus is Lord! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

When Life Yanks Us Around

November 28

(Luke 2:1-4 NIV) “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. {2} (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) {3} And everyone went to his own town to register. {4} So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.”

(Matthew 2:1-6 NIV) ““After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem {2} and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." {3} When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. {4} When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. {5} "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: {6} "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.””

(Micah 5:2 NIV) “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

(Romans 13:1 NIV) “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

Ironically, the story of Christ’s birth begins with a government decree. It would appear that there is no separation of church and state where God is concerned. Caesar ordered that a census be taken -- a sovereign emperor, unknowingly working in concert with the most sovereign God -- a God he did not know, or acknowledge. Everyone had to return to their hometown to be counted, which took Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. Had it not been for Caesar’s decree, it is unlikely that Jesus would have been born in Bethlehem, fulfilling God’s prophecy regarding the Messiah. Sometimes when life yanks us around, it yanks us right smack into the middle of God’s sovereign will. Christ’s earthly parents submitted to God, and to the state, which took them to the place where God would begin the greatest story ever told. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Strong in Spirit

November 27

(Luke 1:80 NIV) “And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.”

(Matthew 3:1-6 NIV) ““In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea {2} and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." {3} This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" {4} John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. {5} People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. {6} Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.””

(Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. {11} Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. {12} For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. {13} Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

John grew and became strong in spirit. This should be the goal of every believer. The work of Christ’s church is hindered when Christians refuse to grow and become stronger in spirit. Many worship at the altar of “Status Quo”, rather than at the altar of the “Present and Coming King”. Growth and strength in spirit come from time spent in the desert, but many believers resist going there. It was in the desert that John became strong in the Lord. God used the desert to prepare him to be a public spokesman for the coming King. John waited there until God told him it was time to speak. Don’t fear the desert experience, Christian. You can grow stronger in spirit there. It will prepare you to take your stand. Eat what God provides. Wear what He has given you in life. Grow strong in the Lord, and speak out when it’s time. Become like “a voice of one calling in the desert”. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Called to Prophetic Ministry

November 26

(Luke 1:76-79 NIV) “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, {77} to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, {78} because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven {79} to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

(Luke 7:28 NIV) “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Zechariah’s son would become John the Baptist. He would prepare the way for people to see and accept the Lord Jesus. He would help them see their sin, and their need for a Savior who offers forgiveness, mercy and salvation. He would speak of the Light of the World, who shines His light into the darkness of human hearts. He would give those trapped in lifestyles of death, a glimpse of the life found in Christ. He would guide those living in chaos to a path of peace which passes all understanding -- a peace found only in Jesus. He would become a prophet of truth and hope. Christians, our calling is similar, but greater. Jesus said that the least in His kingdom would be greater than John. Prepare the way for people to receive Christ. Call them to repentance. Show them God’s mercy. Be a light in the darkness. Lead them to the peace found in Jesus. This is our prophetic ministry. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day