Luke 4: 4  And Joseph  went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; 5  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

( If there is anything we should know for a fact, it is that there are no coincidences in life, life has a purpose, we each have a destiny, and what God has decreed will take place, and your deliverance is his promise!

7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

(No room for the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, or was it that no one had time to inconvenience themselves with this lowly couple?

Isn’t it always like that no room for the poverty stricken but always room for those with the dollars, I wonder is there room for him in my Inn?

Notice he was wrapped in swaddling clothes so he would not be able to move about and harm himself; Sometimes u may find yourself feeling stuck, useless, unused, ignored, shut in, shut out, or bound. Sometimes he has to sort of wrap us in swaddling clothes to keep us still and from hurting ourselves and others.)

8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Matthew 2:1  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

( Behold wise men sought him, yet our world saids only the sick, dumb, handicap, and illiterate need him, only the fool believes in him, hum..

Notice they came from a very distant place, sometimes we need to come a long way before we can recognize him, before we can receive him, before we can find him. We need to be willing to seek him not self, not the world, not fame or fortune.

Notice 3 wise men came, why only 3? Sometimes you have to stand alone, sometimes you have to be willing to travel this difficult journey by yourself.)

2  Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

( they came from a far place and they came to worship him not seek his gifts or blessings, but to worship him and acknowledge him, say haven’t we come from a far country (the world of sin)?

But have we come into the Church to gain his blessing, to get the favor of man, to seek a spiritual high? or to adore and worship him, dare I say to serve him )

3  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

( Hum Herod feared him, and was troubled, now isn’t that like some folks some fear what is their only hope, fear their answer to prayers, fear their deliverance, fear peace and love now isn’t that strange, could it be cause some really don’t want change or deliverance, some don’t want truth they prefer the lie, flesh instead of faith, gossip instead of the gospel, the devil over the divine.)

10  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

( Now lets look at the gifts: and the role and attitude each represented  Matt 2:10-11

1. Gold: for a king representative of his kingship! an attitude of authority and dignity

2. Frankincense: A gift representing Deity,an attitude of humility and humbleness

3. Myrrh: A spice representing his humanity, a man who would give his life a gift for humanity! an attitude of submission, frailty and dependency.

Matthew 3:1  In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

( John now he was a character, most folks never expected Gods messenger to look like him nor act like him, yeah he didn’t look like someone respectable or someone with wealth and fame, but he did have a message, REPENT! Hum .. how many of us always look for Jesus or his messenger to come in a package we can identify with? In a way that is acceptable to our mindset and if he doesnt come the way we expect him to do we look for another?

‘I am come in my own name but if another comes in his name him ye will accept.”

11  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

(Food for thought: sometimes YOUR Holy Ghost may need a little fire to come your way!

17  For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.

18  For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife

( Poor John paid for this bold statement with his head literally but you have to be willing to stand for righteousness or you’ll fall for anything, what this world needs is some more John the Baptist’s to take the message of repentance to the Herod’s and Herodias in our world)

19  Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

( When your in the will of God and doing what is right no one can touch you ! would to God the world would fear us and yet respect us like it did John the Baptist could it be our testimony has effected them or infected them? )

20  For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 

2  Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

3  And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

( Just because our answer doesn’t come in our timing or our way, we question instead of trust? Or perhaps when we see others delivered but not ourselves we then look for our deliverance from another gospel or another God? Is that what John was saying..)

4  Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

5  The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

(sometimes it takes more than words it takes action we need to do more than just talk, the next time we feel shut up, shut down, and let down remember Gods work still goes on, people lives are still being effected for good no matter what may seemingly be happening to you)

6  And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

( If you suffer for your testimony MAYBE YOUR DOING SOMETHING RIGHT, count it all joy)

John 18:1  When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered..

( Cedron: in the original means to mourn in sack cloth and ashes, to grieve vehemently, to lament with great sorrow and pain, to wail and cry )

2  And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus often resorted thither with his disciples.

( Notice: It said that Jesus often went to Cedron, hence he often wept and lamented bitterly over lost sinners over their hurt and pain, their bondage, their needs and despair.)

38  Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

39  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

( Many times we want it our way, in our time, and in our abilities, but sooner or later we must let him have his way it is then we will know true peace, true victory, true freedom, the entrance to life abundant is thru death to self )

47  And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48  Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

(Ah the kisses of a friend can be deceitful )

4  Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

5  They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

6  As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

( Now isnt that something here a group of sinners fall to the ground after getting a glimpse of his glory.

Would to God that we would reverence his glory and his presence perhaps then we too would see a bit of his glory when we are living in a sinful state or involved in ungodly activities. When we are going contrary to his divine plan.

Or when we attack what he stands for,if we could but recognized who he is.

What his purpose is, acknowledge his deity, maybe then we would fall at his feet too, in respect and reverence not obligation and fear; maybe then lives would be changed, prayers answered)

Matthew 27:30  And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

( We aghast at this kind of treatment of him yet do we not do the same to him today oh maybe not so much physically as we do it spiritually and mentally?

31  And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Luke 23 :32  And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

33  And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

( Ever been caught in between the rejected and the ridiculed, the hated and the despised, the unwanted and the accused? Don’t always count it defeat!

Don’t always count it as abandonment your victory may very well be disguised as just that, your victory and transformation may very well be hidden in the mess, in that dire circumstance? )

Luke 24:1  Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2  And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

5  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

5  And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

( You see you won’t find him in dead stale religion, not in tradition or ritual, routine or repetitious prayers. No you wont find him confined or locked into the pages of his-story, not in a dry, damp and dark tomb, for he’s alive! he is the I am! he is the resurrection and the life!)

6  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Reflections: Now lets take a closer look at this story, in the scriptures we read we find the culmination of the gospel message. Hence the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, (this is the gospel message) and oh what a story!

To think He the word that became flesh, He the Lord of glory left the palace for a prison. Born not in royalty but rags, left his wondrous divinity to put on frail humanity.

Left the halls of Heaven’s praises to walk the highways and byways and hear the cries of the persecuted and forsaken, forsook his glory for the gutter.

Born not as a prince but a pauper, he left the peace and calm of heaven’s divinity to step into the cold and chaotic lake of humanity.

Picture with me if you can; where there should have been heads of state and royalty to proclaim his birth.

There were only a few cows, a couple sheep and a scurry of barn mice not to mention the fleas and a host of pestering flies. Instead of a safe and secure hospital room it was in a stale, urine smelling, feces filed manger.

Ah behold this was the place where you would find the savior of this world being born,

( not like or where most people would expect to find their salvation or deliverance?)

Can you see this?

The baby child nursing on his mother’s breast?

The bread of life nourishing and sustaining himself on humanities milk, his gentle fingers now fragilely clutching human hands.

His fingers, fingers that once sculpted mountain ranges, that set the valleys in place. Fingers that once created mankind out of the dust of the earth, now gripping the fingers of a lowly human.

Watch him as he gazes at her and her husband, the light of the world squinting to get a clearer view of humanity can anything be more profound or amazing?

AMAZING GRACE IT IS! But his peace and safety would soon be shattered and in time this scene it to would change, oh how he would suffer, o how he would cry.

Cedron the place of mourning would be like home to him, soon he would know the sting of rejection, pain, humiliation, sorrow, abandonment and even death!

He would die alone.

Well almost alone except for two thieves, two of the unwanted and rejected of society, two of the condemned of humanity.

Yeah he would suffer right along with them and some would say deservingly.

So there he would hang naked and exposed before the world, the pain most unbearable and excruciating yet what I find most amazing is, just look at him!

 When he has a right to complain, to doubt, to give up, to look inward, look what he’s doing! He’s reaching for one more soul, he’s giving hope to one who in our eyes wouldn’t deserve it, he’s taking his pain on top of his own pain!

“ this day shalt thou be with me in paradise” read it for urself in Luke 23:42-43

Now isn’t that amazing!  not even rejection, abandonment or death would stop his purpose or compassion, his love would live on, ah what a lesson here for some of us!

Then comes the burial they stick him in a damp, cold, dark and moldy, stale smelling tomb, thinking they could shut him up and lock him out.

They try to consign him to the dead, the has beens, to history, to what used to be or could have been. Hum .. wonder if some of us try to do the same to him today?

We like to keep him shut in the pages of history, we try to keep him only in the Church to ashamed to share him publicly, to many he is just a dream, just another philosophy, just another religion, just another prophet.

Yeah some of us rather wear him and his cross on our neck or fingers as jewelry rather than carry his cross on our back, to some he’s just a medallion rather than messiah! 

But then we have his empty tomb to deal with, ah he’s not dead he’s alive!

The rest is His -story! Yeah they came to anoint him and pay respects, to worship him, Though they came hurting and in despair, confused, weary, feeling defeated and forsaken, but they came none the less,

( Ah here’s another lesson! when we feel the same we and we want to give up, want to doubt, find your way to his tomb, to his death, into his presence and to your tomb.

For there a glorious resurrection awaits you! Just don’t look for him among the dead, or among the false teachers and religions of this world for he is not there he is risen!)

victory is sure!

Prayer: Dear father, Daddy I love you! I come to you today in recognition of your authority, Divinity and glory, of my need for your grace and mercy,

I thank you and plead your tender mercies over my sin, over my failures, my faults,

Help me to follow the paths of mercy and truth, to carry my cross and bare my loss; with compassion towards others, teach me thy ways, thy truths. And yes I choose to exalt thee! To declare thee not only the Lord of glory!

But the Lord of my heart and home, my mind and my soul, my flesh and my future.

I pray that I will always recognize your divinity and your presence, that I to will fall at your feet in adoration not fear, that I would be able to say not mine will but thine be done.

And though many will have no room for you in their hearts and homes I will always have a special place set aside for you, walk thru the corridors of my heart do as you wish.

Make your abode within and with me, O that I would go to Cedron often not so much to weep over my own hurts and frustrations but over how I have hurt you and others.

For the pain of others.

O that I would never betray you with a kiss! or others for that matter, oh yes sometimes I do it not with a kiss physically but with an act of kindness or generosity hidden and laced with ulterior motives. Forgive me Jesus! Let me speak with the boldness of John and like him be willing to pay the cost.

And when the Johns of this world speak correction and rebuke to me let me humbly accept it. But when all seems to have failed me and it seems I’m buried in despair, rejection or ridicule. Even should death take my last breath.

Remind me daddy that there is a resurrection with my name on it, remind me that your work and ministry will continue with or without me.

People will still be delivered and set free, because you can never be shut down or stopped.

So when I go to  your tomb in despair, in doubt, in failure, again remind me that it is empty and you are RISEN!

For you are the Lord of glory! Let me wash you and cover you not so much with frankincense or gold, but rather with the sweet aroma of reverent praises, warm worship, divine adoration and glorious exaltation.

Thank you for being my savior! my daddy and my hero! Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus!                            ………………………… Amen!    

 Oh and daddy somehow please help me to see that there are others who are hurting and need healing and deliverance, so when I feel down and defeated and I am ready to die never let me lose focus of your purpose, never let me become to occupied with my own despair that I can’t reach for one more soul, that I can’t share one more word, one more moment of your love, let me be willing to take on a little more pain that someone else’s load might be lightened, help me to wear this cross not on my neck but upon my shoulders, till my dying days let me be about my daddy’s business that I may hear well done thy good and faithful servant!  bye daddy love you....