Jesus preaches throughout the country. He went into large wealthy cities and into the poor, obscure villages. He preached and healed both rich and poor. He taught in the synagogues. He had compassion on them, but in a spiritual way. His concern was that they were ignorant with a lack of spiritual vision.

Sheep without a shepherd…can you imagine a field of sheep with no direction and no shepherd?
This would be a sad condition of those who are without Christ. Sheep when they have gone astray are helpless and exposed to danger. They are not capable of finding their own way. They need shepherds to bring them into the fold and give them direction and protection. When Jesus spoke of false shepherds, they not only led the sheep away from the fold but they also fleeced the flock. They didn’t feed them. They didn’t nourish them with the word of truth.

“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
People obviously wanted the teaching that Jesus was giving them. They needed it, they desired it, and they went out of their way to get it. There were few teachers who were teaching the truth. Jesus sent out his disciples.

Work is to be done now. Are there enough laborers to do the work?

“Shake the dust” is mentioned. When we are unwelcome, at times we need to just walk away.

To just be left alone as sheep where they may be in danger from wolves was one thing, but to send them out among known wolves was something else. They could expect from this warning that they would be like a helpless sheep among a herd of ravenous wolves to be devoured and destroyed. But because He sends them forth, He will protect them. Be aware of the dangers but be meek and mild.

Who can kill the soul? Rejecting Jesus and salvation through Him...that will kill our souls.

Jesus calls His disciples “little ones”. Is that because they were “babes in the faith”?

John the Baptist is beheaded. He had completed his mission on earth. Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist who had risen from the dead - Herod was a Sadducee: and the Sadducees denied the resurrection of the dead. They also denied the existence of angels. So Herod was shaken by Jesus. This says he didn’t know much about Jesus.

As we reflect on the Scripture readings for today, let's take to heart the words of the Lord of the Harvest, let's go out as workers into His harvest field!

When Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead, He gave orders not to tell anyone about it. He told the blind men the same thing. Why? Earlier He told the demon possessed man to tell. What was the difference? 

Whenever Jesus heals the physical, He asks people not to tell. When He performs a spiritual miracle, such as driving out demons, He wants people to tell. This gives us a clue as to the importance Jesus places on the spiritual. He wants the spiritual healings to be broadcast to everyone. 

Jesus’ family is listed in today’s reading, his mother, Mary, his brothers James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon, and sisters who are not named. But we know He has at least 2.

Jesus didn’t do miracles in his hometown, except for a few sick people. It was their lack of faith that prevented them from being healed.

Is our lack of faith preventing us from receiving or witnessing miracles? Are we putting limits on Jesus because of our lack of faith?

Today’s reading is filled with parables. A parable is a short, simple story designed to communicate a spiritual truth, religious principle, or moral lesson; a figure of speech in which truth is illustrated by a comparison or example drawn from everyday experiences. The Greek word for parable literally means “a laying by the side of, or a casting along side of”, thus a comparison or likeness. In a parable something is placed alongside something else, in order that one may throw light on the other. A familiar custom or incident is used to illustrate some less familiar truth.

We can look at the surface meaning of a parable or we can dig deeper and discover a much deeper meaning. In finding the central meaning of a parable, the reader needs to discover the meaning the parable had in the time of Jesus. As an illustration, let’s look at the parable of the pencil. (Thanks to a friend who sent this to us several years ago.)

PARABLE OF THE PENCIL

In the beginning the pencil maker created the pencil. “You must remember these five things,” the maker told the pencil.

1. You will do great things but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand.
2. You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time but it is required if you are to become a better pencil.
3. You have the ability to correct any mistakes you might make.
4. The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.
5. No matter what the conditions, continue to write as you submit to the master’s hand, leave a clear, legible mark no matter how difficult.

If we compare ourselves to the pencil, we can do great things if we allow ourselves to be held in God’s hands and allow other people access to our many gifts. We may undergo a painful “sharpening” by various problems to make us stronger and sharper. We will be able to correct our mistakes or we might grow through them. The most important part of us is what’s inside. On every surface we walk we should leave our mark serving God in everything, following His leading, and never taking credit for authorship of the work.

If this parable had been told in Jesus’ time, would they have understood it? But if we could explain our culture and the importance of pencils and how they are used, then they might have understood the practical application of this parable of the pencil.

For some thoughts on the parables, go to this link and the writing Parables to Ponder.
http://www.philandpatti.com/biblestudies

Jesus gives us the secrets to the kingdom of heaven. Are we getting just the surface meanings or are we going after the hidden treasures? How are we doing digging into his word for those secrets? Are we really working to dig out the nuggets?

Jesus condemns hypocrisy. One of the most scathing condemnations is this one.
Luke 11:52
"Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."
Those experts were not teaching the truth and were quenching the spirit of those who were seeking the truth. Not much has changed today.

For those of you out there who are “worry warts”…this verse is for you!
Matt 6:27
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Jesus said to seek first His kingdom. What does it mean to seek His kingdom?

Jesus also said to be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. What does it mean to be ready?

To repeat a previous blog entry, Jesus made it very clear in this verse that baptism has nothing to do with water. It has everything to do with spiritual matters.
Luke 12:50
But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!

Luke 3:16
John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

So often during the Christmas season we hear the words, “Peace on earth.” Did Jesus come to bring peace on earth?
Luke 12:51
Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

This verse should bring us comfort as believers in Jesus Christ. If we are His followers and doing His will, there will be division, not only in the world, but in our churches and even within our families. We must stand firm with the Monument of Truth (God's Word) no matter what happens around us.

John the Baptist inquires for confirmation of Jesus’ divinity.
Luke 7:20
When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'"

Jesus didn’t answer with a yes or no. He answered with:
Luke 7:22
So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

It is only after the disciples of John leave that Jesus tells the crowd that “there is no one greater than John…”

Why didn’t Jesus tell that to the messengers from John? Wouldn’t that have given great comfort to John? Or was Jesus preventing even a hint of pride to creep into John? 

Some interesting reading on the anointing by the sinful woman can be found on the website. Click here:
http://www.philandpatti.com/abiblicalviewofholyweek

What is the unforgivable sin as identified by Jesus in today’s reading?

Luke 11:27-28
As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you." He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."Jesus didn't seem to bless His mother above anyone. He was more concerned with those of us who hear and obey the word of God.

Ah…the Sermon on the Mount…just a few thoughts. 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit…” Poor in spirit refers to a state of mind, as in a broken and contrite spirit, drained of self, emptied in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit. 

“Blessed are those who mourn…” This mourning is a Godly sorrow, a mourning over sin. 

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

The Jews, under the guidance of the Pharisees were taught to keep the inward manifestations of the Law. Jesus commands that the heart be purified. These who are pure in heart will see God with spiritual vision by faith. They can see God in all things, both here and in eternity. 

“Blessed are you when people insult you…” Sometimes this can take the form of unchristian talk around you. 

“Rejoice and be glad…” Easy to say, not so easy to do when we are being insulted and persecuted.

When Jesus responded to Satan, He said, “It is written…” Jesus quoted Scripture. During the readings for today, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said…”
Jesus made it very clear that we shouldn’t rely on what others say or what traditions hold, but that we should go straight to what is written in God’s Word.

Jesus warns several times about doing good works only for the praise.

Some very hard teaching in this passage, so hard that many spiritual leaders avoid for fear of being judgmental or politically incorrect. But…God’s Word says it and that settles it! No “wiggle” room here! Not all pathways lead to God.
Matt 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Jesus tells us that He is that narrow gate.
John 10:9
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
There is NO other way!

The tax collector Levi (Matthew) is called by Jesus. Notice Levi got up and followed. Now the fishermen had done a similar thing. When Jesus called, they followed. The fishermen however could go back to fishing (which they did). Once Matthew left his lucrative tax collecting business, he burned a bridge. He couldn’t go back. 

Some significant pieces of Scripture in today’s reading.
John 5:21
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.

John 5:28-29
"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out-- those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.

John 5:25
I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.

God the Father raises ALL the dead. Only those who hear (know Him and have salvation) Jesus’ voice will live forever. Those who are raised and do not know Jesus will die the second death.

John 5:46
If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.
Moses…wrote about Jesus??? How can this be???

Several times Jesus gives strict orders to the demons and evil spirits not to tell who He was. Why?

Luke 6:12-13
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:

Jesus had many disciples or followers, not just the twelve. A disciple is someone who wants to learn. Many people followed Jesus around to learn from Him. But Jesus chose twelve to become apostles (sent out). He chose these twelve to be the ones to send out and be the leaders of the others. Interesting that Jesus spent the night in prayer before choosing the twelve. If Jesus spent the night in prayer with His heavenly Father, shouldn’t we spend time in prayer with Him too?

Jesus taught in the synagogues. A synagogue is a “house of instruction”, “house of learning”, “gathering place”, “place of worship” and “place of prayer”. In Jesus’ day synagogues were scattered all over the country. And people didn't just go there on the Sabbath day. It was open daily and people learned about the Jewish way of life as well as having the rabbis explain the Scriptures.

It was in the synagogue in Nazareth, His boyhood home that Jesus read the words of Isaiah and announced that the prophecy had been fulfilled. At first the people spoke well of Him and then later they drove Him out of town to throw Him off a cliff. What happened???

Jesus announced to the weary fishermen to cast their nets once again to catch fish. Peter announced that they had fished all night and caught nothing. “But because you say so…”
What a compelling statement. If only we would all obey Him just because He said so!

In the synagogue at Capernaum the evil spirits declared that Jesus was the Holy One of God.

We read several times in Scripture that Jesus often sought solitary places to pray. Early on in His public mission, He affirmed that He had come to preach and not just to heal. 

The leper had the most wonderful of attitudes in petitioning God. He said, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” What a great statement of faith. The leper knew that Jesus could heal him. He asked for his cleansing only IF Jesus was willing. A model prayer for all of us, wouldn’t you say?

Jesus calls His followers.

Two of John’s disciples left John to follow Jesus. One of them is named, Andrew, the other isn’t named, but many think it may have been the disciple John. Jesus didn’t call them, they followed Him.

“The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him…”
Can you imagine being the one to evangelize Peter!!!

Jesus first recorded miracle was to turn water into wine. When Mary tells Jesus there is no more wine, it is clear she was expecting Jesus to take care of it. Because of the way Jesus responded to His mother, it is evident that He understood that she wanted something more of Him than just go buy some wine. She was expecting a miracle. Could have He already performed supernatural things at home that Mary had seen?

The master of the banquet says the bridegroom has saved the best for last. Why do we sometimes wait until everything else runs out to try God?

Jesus performed miraculous signs so that others would believe. The disciples at that point put their faith in Him.

Did Jesus baptize? Did He baptize with water?

When Jesus and the disciples left Judea and went back toward Galilee, did Jesus call Judas before they left? We know that Judas was from the villages of Cariot located about 23 miles south of Jerusalem in the Judea countryside.

The Samaritans were known by the Jews as half breeds and not true Israelites. Jews avoided traveling through Samaria. Jacob’s well was on property originally owned by Jacob. Wells were usually located along the main road outside the city. Women would come twice a day to draw water, in the cool of the morning and in the cool of the evening. This woman came in the heat of the day at noon, probably to avoid being seen by the other women. No respectable Jewish man would have spoken to her for several reasons: she was a Samaritan, she was living in sin, she was in a public place. Yet Jesus not only talks to her. He gives her the promise of “living water”. 

What is this “living water”?

Just as we should not deprive our bodies of food and water, we should not deprive ourselves of spiritual food, God’s Word. We receive spiritual nourishment from fellowship with Jesus, doing God’s will and telling others. Our food should be like that of Jesus to do the will of God. If Jesus received spiritual nourishment from doing God’s will, then shouldn’t we?

Many of the Samaritans believed in Jesus because of the Samaritan woman’s testimony. How many people will believe because of our testimony?

John the Baptist was a Nazarite, set apart from birth in the order of Samson, Samuel, and the Recabites. Nazarites took a vow to never take fermented drink or eat anything that comes from the grapevine. They will never use a razor on the head.

John preached “baptism and repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” John’s theme was repentance. He was appointed by God to announce the arrival of Jesus. He had no trouble confronting people and was uncompromising in his teaching. He had no power of position yet he spoke with authority and had many followers.

John the Baptist was so called because he baptized in water (not spirit) those who repented. Normally only non-Jews were baptized when they converted to Judaism. The Essenes, a strict monastic sect of Judaism practiced baptism by water for purification.

“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”
John was calling people away from ritual and legalism to focus directly on Jesus.

When Jesus was baptized, the complete trinity was represented. God, the Son in the bodily form of Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, and God, the Father in the voice from heaven.

Must a person be baptized to be saved? What does baptism mean? To baptize means to immerse or to overwhelm. It doesn't always have anything to do with water.

The Jews baptized as a cleansing ceremony. The very fact that Jesus was baptized is reason to believe that baptism is symbolic. Did Jesus have any need to be baptized?

There are other verses that give us reason to believe that baptism is symbolic.

Upon seeing Jesus, John says the following.
Mat 3:11
I am baptizing you with water as a token of repentance, but the one who is coming after me is stronger than I am, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. It is he who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

John clearly states that Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit. Jesus' baptism has nothing to do with water.

Jesus spoke of other things regarding baptism.
Luk 12:50
I have a baptism to be baptized with, and what stress I am under until it is completed!
Jesus was speaking of the crucifixion that He must undergo. He is saying that He must be overwhelmed in the task at hand, figuratively to immerse Himself in the crucifixion and death.

As believers we must be immersed in the Holy Spirit. That is the baptism that saves!

When and where did the Magi visit Jesus? Was it Nazareth, Bethlehem, or the hills of Judea?

“We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
This strongly suggests they studied the scriptures as well as the heavens. Could they have been descended from some of the Jews who did not leave Babylon to return to Jerusalem? If so they would have known the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. They didn’t say they followed the star but that they saw the star from the east and came to Jerusalem.

What exactly was the star? Could the Magi have seen the “glory of God” that appeared to the shepherds? The word "star" means as “strewn over the heavens”. Is a star “strewn” or is light ‘strewn”. This gives the impression that light came from a pinpoint such as an opening in heaven and fanned out from there to encircle something. If we go back and look at what the word “shone” means concerning the shepherds, it means “to illuminate all around; to invest with a halo”.

 

“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.”

The Magi didn’t follow the star that is why when they left Herod in Jerusalem they were overjoyed because the star was back. If the star had been leading them all along, why were they overjoyed when it was “back”? Then it guided them to the house where Jesus was. If this was God’s glory, then it guided the Magi in the same way it guided Moses and the children of Israel in the desert.

These Magi traveled thousands of miles to see the King of the Jews. Chances are after they saw the initial light in the western sky, they would have had to confirm with scripture about prophecy, check the astrological signs, examine the evidence, confer with each other, then conclude that it was the sign of the Messiah. Then they would need to prepare for the journey, provisions, animals, etc. This would have taken considerable time.

How many Magi were there? We always think three because of the three gifts. Chances are there was an entourage of people. It would have been dangerous to travel in a small group for such a long journey. They came from far away and because they were wealthy, they would have brought with them a caravan of supplies, provisions, and servants. And what was their mode of transportation? The Bible doesn't tell us that they traveled on camels. Could they have traveled on fine Arabian horses?  And could they have traveled the Fertile Crescent instead of traveling across the desert? 

The gifts that the Magi gave were valuable and could have been used to support the family while they lived in Egypt.

“So he got up took the child (not baby or infant) and his mother during the night and left for Egypt where he stayed until the death of Herod.”

 

Herod ordered all baby boys from two years and younger killed. This order encompassed Bethlehem and its vicinity. KJV says “all the coasts thereof”. Herod’s territory was vast.  All the baby boys would have most certainly have included the "miracle" baby, John the Baptist.  But. of course John was also spared.  Was it because Elizabeth and Zechariah hid him away in the hills of Judea or in the wilderness? 

After Herod died in 4 B.C. the family returned to Nazareth. Nazareth was in the hilly area of southern Galilee near the crossroads of great caravan trade routes.

Many thought provoking points to ponder in today's reading, expanding the mind and heart for even more revelations.

Elizabeth and Zachariah were “doubles” in priestly lineage. It was a pure straight lineage. Children were considered a blessing and barrenness was seen as a curse. Their son John will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth (or before birth). John leaped in his mother’s womb when he heard the voice of Mary. Is this when John was filled with the Holy Spirit? Did the Holy Spirit bring this knowledge to Elizabeth of who Mary’s baby was? Elizabeth called Mary “the mother of my Lord”. So Elizabeth certainly knew that Mary was to give birth to the Messiah. 

Contrast Zechariah’s response to Gabriel and Mary’s response. Zechariah wasn’t sure that it could be done. Mary was sure, she just wanted to know how. 

The word “overshadow” means to envelop in a haze of brilliancy.

Mary was young and probably poor, yet God chose her for one of the most important acts of obedience he has ever asked of anyone. Her submission was part of God’s plan to bring about our salvation. A young, betrothed girl who became pregnant risked disaster. Mary with the story about being made pregnant by the Holy Spirit risked being considered crazy as well. Luke, being a medical doctor knew how babies were made but he, like many Christians had no problem believing that God has the power to create a child in a virgin’s womb.

As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary she immediately was filled with the Holy Spirit and knew these things: Mary was pregnant with the Son of God and she knew that Mary believed what God had said was true.

Mary praised God at this exclamation from Elizabeth. For Mary, this was a confirmation of what she already believed.

Mary and Joseph were pledged to be married. They were legally married but did not have the right for the marriage to be consummated. That was supposed to come later amid a joyous week long celebration. 

We have in earlier writings on the blog placed the birth of Jesus at a time other than winter. In part because the shepherds were living in the fields, something they would not be doing in the winter. Shepherds were on just about the lowest rung of the social ladder.

Why did God choose to announce the arrival of his son to lowly shepherds? Who better than shepherds to be the first visitors to the “lamb of God”?

Jesus was circumcised at eight days as was every Jewish boy. A first born son was presented at the temple thirty three days after circumcision, which was the time of Mary’s purification. The sacrifice they offered meant they were either poor or middle class, or that they didn’t bring money with them to pay for a lamb.

Simeon and Anna were very old but they had never lost their hope of seeing the Messiah. Their prophecies, because of their ages, carried extra weight. Anna was called a prophetess, meaning she was unusually close to God. After all she never left the temple and worshiped night and day. Prophets did not necessarily predict the future, but to speak for God, proclaiming the truth.

These two "senior citizens", Simeon and Anna will be remembered for proclaiming the truth. Will all of us as Believers in Jesus be remembered for proclaiming the truth?

Again we are reminded of the importance of genealogies in Scripture. Today’s is of great significance!

Isn’t it fascinating that of all the names listed, there are only three who are women? And even more fascinating is that two of them were prostitutes. One woman is referred to but not named.

Matt 1:6
and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,

Uriah’s wife was Bathsheba. Just another example of how God uses people no matter what their station in life or their circumstances to accomplish His purposes. He uses all kinds of people today to accomplish His will. How does He use all of us? Are we willing to be used?

Notice in the genealogy that both Mary and Joseph trace their lineage back to King David. Mary traces hers through David’s son Nathan and Joseph through David’s son Solomon, both of them sons of Bathsheba.

Matthew is careful to list Joseph as the husband of Mary and not the father of Jesus.

Ah…yes…we begin the New Testament!

Imagine that four people watched the Indy 500 race from four different vantage points around the track. They would each see some of the same things that happened at the race. For example even though they each would report seeing cars in different locations around the track, the cars would be the same. They each may report seeing crashes from different angles, but the crashes would be the same. They may not all witness the winner reaching the finish line. Some of them may not be able to see the finish line, but the winner would be the same. It’s much the same way with reports of the life of Jesus.

The four gospel accounts are written from four different perspectives and to different audiences. Each writer sees parts of the same story. When the parts are put together the way they are in the Chronological Bible, we get a complete picture.

John presents a wonderful image of Jesus as the Word. in the beginning of the Bible, in the beginning of the New Testament and at the end of the Bible.

John 1:1-2
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
John clearly identifies the Word as being God.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Here he clearly identifies the Word as being Jesus.

Genesis starts out the way John does.
Gen 1:1-3
In the beginning God (the three in one) created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
The light in the beginning was not the light of the SUN, the light of the SON!

Oh, by the way, John also tells us that Jesus is the Word in the last book of the Bible.

Rev 19:13
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.

Any questions in your mind about just who is the Word of God???

Today is the third in a series of three concerning the birth of Jesus as we prepare for the beginning of the New Testament readings. 

The birth of Jesus took place during the Feast of Tabernacles in the fall of the year and not on the traditional date of December 25. The Feast of Tabernacles was one of three great annual feasts of the Hebrew people: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles.

Each of these days listed in the Old Testament have the prophetic fulfillment in the New Testament beginning with the coming of the Messiah associated with the Feast of Tabernacles.

Col 2:17
These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Matt 5:17
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

When He came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem, Jesus fulfilled the Feast of Tabernacles. When Jesus suffered and died for our sins, He fulfilled the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Passover, and the Day of Atonement. When He ascended into heaven and presented Himself to God, the Father, He fulfilled the Feast of First Fruits. When He sent the Holy Spirit He fulfilled Pentecost. In all the feasts and festivals the people of Israel remembered their past and renewed their faith in the Lord who created and sustained them. Should we as Christians celebrate these Holy Days today?

One thing we have learned in our study of God’s Word is that He makes things perfectly clear! We especially like how He has described life in the Millennium when it comes to honoring the festivals and feast days, His Holy Days. 

While the people will celebrate all the appointed feasts, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Passover are specifically named.

Zechariah 14:16-17
Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain.

Deuteronomy 31:10-13
Then Moses commanded them: "At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Feast of Tabernacles, when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. Assemble the people-- men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns-- so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess."
(See also Nehemiah 8:14-18)

If honoring and celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles is required during the Millennium, shouldn’t we honor it today?

It is important for us as Christians to honor these Holy Days today, not in the way that was done before the Messiah came, but to honor Jesus as the fulfillment of those days. Part of honoring Him is to also remember our past as the people of Israel did (which includes remembering everything that the nation of Israel remembered). We have additional things to remember on this side of the cross. We remember Jesus’ birth, death, resurrection, and our salvation through Him. 

Who we honor is far more important than when we honor Him. We praise Him that He came to “tabernacle” among us and He was and is "God with us."

Matt 1:23

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-- which means, "God with us."

Second in a series of three:

If Jesus’ conception occurred in mid December, then Jesus would have been born nine months later during the Jewish month of Tishri. This month corresponds with our months of September and October. Is there documentation that Jesus was born during September or October? Again we go to Scripture for additional puzzle pieces. This one is from Luke.

Luke 2:8

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

At the time that Jesus was born there were shepherds living in the fields. Shepherds lived in the open country during the months from spring until the colder rainy season, which began most often in early October. This would not have been mid December. There would have been no grass for the sheep to eat. It would have been sometime before the colder rainy season. 

Earlier we established that John the Baptist was born during the time of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover) one of three main festival days of the Lord. We have established the month of Jesus’ conception as mid December which places His birth in mid September. Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated in the seventh month, the month of Tishri, corresponding with our months of September or October (according to whether or not it is the Jewish leap year). Is there reason to believe that Jesus may have been born during the Feast of Tabernacles?

John gives us a piece of the puzzle.
John 1:14a
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

The “Word” is Jesus who was born a baby. He made His dwelling among us. The Greek word “dwelling” means “to encamp, to make a temporary residence, to tabernacle”

Jesus came to earth as a baby to “tabernacle” among us, to take up temporary residence with us.

The Feast of Tabernacles is an eight day festival. If Jesus was born on the first day of the feast, then he would have been circumcised on the eighth day of the feast.

Luke 2:21

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.

So we can place the date of Jesus’ birth during the Feast of Tabernacles. Can we know the year? We again return to Scripture for that piece of the puzzle.

Matthew gives us the piece of that puzzle. After Jesus was born, Joseph was warned in a dream to take Jesus and His mother to Egypt until the death of Herod.

Matt 2:14-15

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled

Jesus was born while Herod was in power. Matthew tells us that wise men from the east appeared in Jerusalem and inquired of Herod concerning the birth of the “king of the Jews”. The possibility of another “king” in the midst angered Herod so much that he ordered the deaths of all baby boys aged two years and younger. Of course Joseph by this time had already taken Jesus safely to Egypt. 

According to the Jewish historian, Josephus, Herod died in the spring of 4 B.C. This means that Jesus was born before 4 B.C. at least one to two years before, either 5 B.C or 6 B.C. A date of 5 B.C. fits with other Biblical data. Jesus was “about” 30 when He began His official teaching mission. (Luke 3:23). We know that Jesus was baptized in or around 27 AD based on the scripture account in Luke 3:1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar-- when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene--

We say in or around 27 AD because Tiberius Caesar ruled prior to his “official” rule that began in 14 AD. Scripture tells us that Jesus started His ministry when He was about 30 years of age. We do not know for certain that He was baptized at the very beginning of His ministry. As a cross reference for date finding, we add three years to the date of 27 AD and arrive at 30 AD as the date of Jesus’ crucifixion. In looking at the Hebrew calendar we discover that all the Biblical days of the week during Holy week exactly match the Hebrew calendar year 3790 (30 AD). None of the years immediately before or after 30 AD match the Biblical timeline. It is established by Biblical truth with calendar and scientific cross references. So the birth year of 5 B.C. fits with the date of crucifixion in 30 A.D. 

We have placed the birth of Jesus during the Feast of Tabernacles in 5 B.C., using several Biblical and historical references. As a “cherry on the top”, ponder this.

Many times in Scripture darkness is associated with evil and Satan as the ruler of the darkness or the night. In Genesis 1:16a we read,

“God made two great lights-- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light (the moon) to govern the night”.

What better way to illustrate that the birth of Jesus overshadowed the ruler of the night, than with a lunar eclipse? In 5 B.C. on September 15 in the nation of Israel there was a total lunar eclipse.

September 15 of that year just “happened” to fall on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles! Coincidence???

Today begins the first in a series of three concerning the birth of Jesus as we prepare for the beginning of the New Testament readings. 

Much of the world celebrates the birth of Jesus on the 25th of December. Why? Is this the actual day of Jesus' birth? How do we know when to honor His birth? Scripture doesn’t tell us exactly when Jesus was born, but there are some clues, some puzzle pieces that we can put together that will give a better picture. Some of these puzzle pieces are found in the Bible and some are found in historical records and documentation. 

God includes some of the puzzle pieces by giving us a few seemingly insignificant times and numbers. In order to place the date of Jesus’ birth, we need to first place the time of the birth of John the Baptist.  We know that Jesus was born six months after John. We begin to put the puzzle together with a few pieces from the book of Luke and visit the priest Zechariah and his barren wife Elizabeth, a relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Luke 1:5
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.

Zechariah was of the Levitical division of Abijah. In the time of King David, the priests were separated into 24 turns or divisions for their appointed order of ministering. After the 24 groups of priests were established, lots were drawn to determine the sequence in which each group would serve in the temple. These turns began in the first month of the Jewish calendar, the month of Nisan.

1 Chr 24:19
This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered the temple of the LORD, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their forefather Aaron, as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded him.

The appointed order of turns for ministering rotated every week until they reached the end of the sixth month, when the cycle was repeated until the end of the year. This meant that Zechariah’s division served at the temple twice a year for their regular turn of service. They, along with all the other divisions would also be required to serve on special occasions during the three commanded festival days of the Lord. The three main festival days of the Lord were Feast of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles.

Luke 1:8-9
Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

This account in Luke takes place when it was Zechariah’s division’s turn. There are two possible times for Zechariah’s regular time of service at the temple. The Bible does not specify which turn of service this one was. Beginning with the first month, Nisan, in the spring (March-April), the schedule of the priests’ turn of duty would result in Zechariah serving during the 10^th week of the year because he was a member of the course of Abijah, the 8^th course (1 Chr 24:10) and at this time both the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Pentecost would have already occurred. This places one of Zechariah’s turns in the temple beginning in the third month of the year during the month of Sivan (June). Regardless of which turn of service, Zechariah went home after his turn of service to his wife Elizabeth and she conceived. Due to laws of separation (Leviticus 12:5, 15:19, 25) two additional weeks must be counted, so most likely Elizabeth conceived John about two weeks after Zechariah’s return. 

Let’s suppose Luke is recording the first turn of service which took place during the month of Sivan. Going forward nine months, this would place John’s birth in early spring, at the time of the Jewish Passover. There are another couple of clues from Scripture that lets us know that this was Zechariah’s first turn of service. There are connections with the prophet Elijah, John, and Passover. The angel told Zechariah that John was to come “in the spirit and power of Elijah”. The Old Testament prophet Malachi tells us that God will send Elijah before the coming Messiah. (Malachi 3:1, 4:5-6) Even Jesus made the connection between John and Elijah. 

Matt 17:10-13
The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

The Jews look for Elijah to return on the day of Passover. Still today, there is an empty chair and a table setting for Elijah whenever Passover is celebrated. Everything points to the birth of John the Baptist to take place at Passover. 

Luke 1:10-17
And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Luke 1:23-24
When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.

By the way, there were a great number of priests on duty during Zechariah’s turn so when “he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense” it was a rare high honor. No priest was allowed to serve in this capacity more than once in his lifetime. So, Zechariah had waited his entire life for this opportunity. Coincidence???

Placing the conception of John shortly after Zechariah returns from his temple service sometime in June (modern calendar) , let’s go forward six months to the month of December (modern calendar).

Luke records that Elizabeth was six months pregnant when the angel Gabriel visited Mary.
Luke 1:26-31
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

Luke 1:36
Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.

The beginning of Elizabeth’s sixth month would have been in December during the celebration of the Jewish feast of Hanukkah, also known as the Feast of Dedication and the Festival of Lights. The conception of Jesus (the light of the world – John 8:12) would have taken place during Hanukkah. Incidentally, it was the custom in ancient Israel to count the years of one's age from the date of conception - in other words, when a child is born he is considered one year old until three months after his first birthday when he is considered two years old. (this is still a practice in some oriental cultures today).

So Jesus’ conception, not His birth occurred in mid December.

Today’s reading again includes more of the genealogical records. We must know that these records were important, why else would God have included them in His book?

Following today’s reading there are three days of commentary concerning the historical interlude. We would encourage you to read these comments. They will help in understanding that God was definitely not “silent” during those 400 or so years!

The book of Daniel speaks volumes concerning those “silent” years. For example, we read in Daniel 8 about a ram and a goat. We know which countries are represented by these two animals because the Bible explains the representation. The horns on the ram and the goat represent the Medes, Persians, and Greeks. During the 400 year period, the Greeks took power from the Medes and Persians as illustrated by the ram and the goat in Daniel 8. The Greeks were the dominant power in the world until Alexander the Great died and his kingdom was split into four parts among his four generals. Daniel speaks of the Egyptian influence as power was transferred from the Greeks to the Romans. 

Daniel’s prophecies have been fulfilled in exacting detail, having been documented by Biblical and secular history. So were there 400 years of silence? We don’t think so! Not if you read the book of Daniel. It’s rather “noisy”. 

And finally….on October 18 we begin the New Testament. 

Since there will be three days of commentary (we would also encourage you to read this as well)  for October 15-17 and not Scripture readings, we will take this opportunity to post writings concerning the birth of Jesus as we prepare for the beginning of the New Testament. We will explain why we choose to honor the birth of Jesus during the actual time of year of His birth which happened during the Feast of Tabernacles and not the traditional December 25 date.

The commentary today contains a very profound statement.  "Undoubtedly a man of God such as Ezra would be particularly concerned that future generations be made aware of Israel's unique status as a chosen nation through which God has revealed himself to the whole world."

We would do well in this world today to remember that statement!

The Scripture verses for this day are filled with the official records of Israel, listing many important and seemingly unimportant genealogical names. Among the important records is the one concerning the descendants by Keturah (Abraham's concubine). Among the seemingly unimportant names as recorded in an obscure, seldom-read section of the Bible is the name Jabez.

1 Chr 4:10
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

In December of 2000 we received a book The Prayer of Jabez from some dear friends. As we read through this book again in preparation for writing this blog entry, we were astounded when we reviewed our lives since we first prayed that prayer of Jabez many years ago. We’d like to share a couple of things with you.

The author, Bruce Wilkinson uses the New King James version in his book.
1 Chr 4:10
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.
(NKJ)
This version includes the word indeed…not just bless me, but bless me abundantly!

This prayer has four parts.

1. Bless me. God has told us that He wants to bless us. (Eph 3:20).
2. Enlarge my territory. God wants to enlarge our lives (our spiritual territories) so that we can make a greater impact for Him. Why not ask Him for ways to make that happen? According to Mr. Wilkinson, “As your opportunities expand, your abilities and resources supernaturally increase, too.”
3. Keep Your hand with me. Asking that God’s hand be with us is the same as asking for His power and presence to be with us. If we ask for the blessings and the territory, we certainly need His power and presence to be with us. 2 Chr 16:9a For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. “God is not scanning the horizon for spiritual giants or seminary standouts. He eagerly seeks those who are sincerely loyal to him,” says Bruce Wilkinson.
4. Keep me from evil. Praying that God would keep us from evil is asking that God keep us from even the temptation to sin.

God granted Jabez his requests. What might happen if we all prayed this prayer and really meant it? Do you think your life would change? Our lives certainly did!

When Nehemiah left Jerusalem things were going very well. Ezra had read the law, the Levites interpreted it, and the people wept, confessed their sins, and gave thanksgiving to God for all His many blessings. They even made a binding agreement, a written covenant that they would obey God’s commands.

Neh 10:29
all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the LORD our Lord.

Notice they even bound themselves with a curse!

Then Nehemiah went back to Susa (leisurely travel time distance of about eight months or less each way). The unthinkable happened in Jerusalem while he was gone. The temple was desecrated, temple support was neglected, the Sabbath was violated, and the men of Judah had married foreign wives.

Of special significance is the violation of the Sabbath. The men were desecrating the Sabbath by participating in merchandising in Jerusalem on the Sabbath, thereby doing what Nehemiah called a “wicked thing”. Remember, they had promised they would not neglect the house of God. They were selfishly marketing their products in violation of the rules of that day. This is reminiscent of the Hebrew people when Moses left the camp and the people created a golden calf to worship. When God’s authority figure (Nehemiah) leaves people automatically return to evil ways.

One of the first things recorded by Nehemiah upon his return to Jerusalem is the following:
Neh 13:7
and came back to Jerusalem. Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God.

Tobiah was one of the leading opponents to the rebuilding of Jerusalem under Nehemiah. He was definitely not one of the good guys! Imagine how Nehemiah must have felt when he saw his enemy given credibility and sanction in the House of God. 

The ever faithful Nehemiah again instituted religious reform. It is at this time that he begins the dedication of the wall. Can you even begin to imagine that great celebration with the choral processions, musical instruments, and choirs as they traveled the distance around Jerusalem? Read that passage again in Nehemiah 12 and try to picture it in your mind!

Neh 12:43b
The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

The people offered sacrifices, brought their tithes, and read from the Book of Moses.

So what does all this have to do with us today? What connections can we make today concerning the desecration of the Sabbath?
In Nehemiah’s day, his enemy Tobiah (an Ammonite) was given what seems to be a permanent place in the house of God. Do we allow room for ungodly practices in our churches? Do our commonly accepted rituals and celebrations have ungodly origins?

Great importance concerning the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles is recorded in Nehemiah 8.  The consistent pattern emerges once again.  When the people return to God with repentant hearts, what follows is a reinstitution of one of God’s Holy Days, most often Feast of Tabernacles. More details later on the e-study for the significance of the Feast of Tabernacles for Christians today. 

It was on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Rosh Hashana) when Ezra read the law.  The assembly listening to the reading of the law was made up of men, women and all who were able to understand.  Guess that means there were some children there who could understand.  

Neh 8:5-6
Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 

What might happen if when God’s word is read, the people would raise their hands in praise, say “Amen”, and bow down in worship to God? 

The Levites interpreted the law and made it clear so the people could understand. Since several names were listed in the group of Levites, wonder if they were out in the crowd in small groups.  The people celebrated with great joy, because they understood the words that were read to them. Do we rejoice when we understand the words in Scripture?

On the day of confession, there were people there from Israelite descent, not just the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and the Levites.  So there was a remnant of all the 12 tribes represented there. 

Nehemiah prays a great confessional prayer in which he reminds the people and thanks God for all He has done for them and for continually forgiving them. There was an “attitude of gratitude” created.  The people responded by agreeing to a written covenant. We could certainly take lessons from Nehemiah!

Today’s reading is full of genealogical records. The same or very similar record is listed in Ezra. This tells us that these records were very important. One of the most important reasons for keeping accurate records was to identify the Levites and those who would serve as priests in the temple. 

For those without the genealogical record to prove they should be included in the priesthood, they relied on the Urim and Thummim. These were gems or stones carried by the high priest or placed in the breastplate and were used to ascertain the will of God in regard to important matters.

Praise God that we don't have to depend on gems or stones to ascertain the will of God, we have "gems of wisdom" in His Word! Have you dug below the surface and mined some "gems" recently? Why not share them with someone?

The story of the taunting of the Samaritans toward Nehemiah is a great lesson for us today for standing firm in the faith, even in the midst of ridicule and insult.  It is also a lesson for us in praying about the ridicule and insults that may be hurled our way. 

The people of Israel then were building up walls of defense.  Israel today is also building up "walls" of defense.  Then and now, many people oppose the people of Israel.  Later on in chapter 6, there is a veiled threat to Nehemiah.  But Nehemiah prayed, "Now strengthen my hands."   

As we stand firm in the faith, praying about the ridicule and insults aimed at us, we can also add this same prayer of Nehemiah.  We should pray that the Lord would strengthen our hands and our bodies to DO the work of the Lord, even in the midst of threats against us.

When we read about Nehemiah’s plan in chapter 4, we couldn’t help but think about missionaries and front line workers and their supporters. The rebuilders of the wall needed support personnel with swords, spears, and bows. Missionaries and front line workers need others as support in the way of financial support, prayer support, and encouragement.

Neh 4:19
Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall.

Do you know of a missionary or a front line worker who could benefit from a word of encouragement from you…or extra financial support…or most especially prayer intercession for them? Something to seriously think about!

The rebuilding of the wall was completed in an amazingly short amount of time - fifty-two days.  Could it be that the timing was orchestrated by God so that they would complete the wall in time to celebrate Feast of Tabernacles?

Nehemiah was in mourning because the walls of Jerusalem had been broken down. At the time that he heard about the walls he was in the area of Susa (southwest Iran today). Nehemiah held an important position with the king and surely was respected and trusted by the king. Again King Artaxerxes shows his moral character by noticing the sadness displayed by Nehemiah and offering to let him go to Jerusalem. And again the leaders of Trans-Euphrates get a letter telling them to give safe passage to yet another Jewish refugee and to provide supplies.

When Nehemiah told the leaders about the ruins of the walls of Jerusalem, he inspired them to rebuild the wall.

Scripture next details the division of labor on the rebuilding of the gates. Why such detail? Could it be a reminder that each of us has a part in the Lord's work? Do we sometimes think that our part is insignificant? God doesn't think so.

Once again we as Believers in Jesus are warned that we should keep ourselves separate from the world.

Ezra 9:1
After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, "The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and Amorites.

And once again the leaders have led the way.
Ezra 9:2b
They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness."

Some of Ezra's prayer really resonated with us as we read this passage again.  See if this prayer applies to us as a nation, as a church, and as individual believers in Jesus.  These are portions from Ezra's prayer.

O, my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens...you have punished us less than our sins have deserved...Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in your presence...we have been unfaithful to our God.  But in spite of all this, there is still hope.  Now make confession to the Lord and do His will.  Separate yourselves from the people around you (and our sins).  

Couldn't help but think about 2 Chronicles 7:14.  The first thing He wants us to do is to repent.  That's what this prayer is all about!

Shecaniah offered a very drastic way of correcting (or more like overcorrecting) the situation of intermarriage. His correction was to send away the foreign wives and their children. Most of the men agreed - only a few opposed the plan.

Wouldn’t it have been easier to have just obeyed God in the first place? How often in our lives as Christians have we made things much harder on ourselves because we didn’t listen and obey - the first time???