Walking with Jesus

† Introduction: The journey to Bethlehem is over for Mary and Joseph. The angels have announced Christ’s birth to the shepherds. The virgin has born a son. King David’s heir has been named. Prophecy has been fulfilled. Salvation has come. Immanuel (God with us), Jesus is born. Now what? After the manger is emptied, after the shepherds have returned to their flocks, after Joseph and Mary find a home to live in and settle down to the day to day activities of married life with a newborn. . . What happens now? What happens the day after Christmas? On this day after Christmas, 2010, let us explore Matthew, chapter 2. It is the story of first years after Jesus’ birth. It is a story of the perfection of God’s timing, the power of His protection, and the treachery of His enemies. It is a story full of worship, danger, and adventure. It is a story of Kings and of Wise Men. = Read Matthew 2 = † First, The Wise Men: Who were these Magi? According to verse 16, it’s been as long as 2 ye

. Lunar Eclipse, Winter Solstice 2010

When death comes knocking, we often assume we have to answer. We don't. Sure, "it is appointed once to die". Even God has died. (I hope they include Aslan's line in the movie if they ever make The Silver Chair ) We all die (excepting the believers on earth when Christ returns). But, since Jesus has defeated death, and because he's simply God to begin with, we are not at the mercy of death. We don't always have to answer when death knocks because God is bigger than death; he sometimes even undoes it! In any case, death is not the most important part of living. It is merely a transition, especially for Christians. We are all created as everlasting beings. We are not 'eternal' as such, because we had a beginning, but we participate in eternity because we never have an end. When we die, we simply move out onto the greater stage of being. This life is a choosing ground, an embryonic state, a seed stage for our 'everafter'. It is critically importa