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Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Jesus--The Messiah--Emmanuel--Savior--Light of the World


Who better to start with than the Messiah?  We know a lot about Jesus, yet there are things that we come to learn each day.  Jesus was with God since the beginning.  Therefor Jesus was there before the world began.  Jesus is a vital part of the trinity which is God. 

Jesus is the savior of the world.  Jesus is the perfect lamb that went freely to the cross to die for the world.  Jesus came to the Earth for one purpose so that we might find our way back to God.  Jesus will save anyone that comes to believe in his saving power.  Jesus is love amplified.

Jesus is Emmanuel, “God with us”.  Jesus came into this world as a little babe.  Jesus was a babe who learned the very simple tasks like walking and talking.  Jesus did not come as a warrior to establish an Earthly Kingdom.  Jesus became one of us so he could establish a Heavenly Kingdom.
Jesus faced death as a child.  King Herod was so afraid of the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Messiah that he killed all children under two years old.  Joseph Jesus’s earthly father was warned of the coming massacre of innocents.  He was told to take his beloved son Jesus to a faraway place.  Jesus was then swiftly taken away to Egypt.

It is within Egypt that we know very little about Jesus.  We know that Jesus was there until it was safe to come back to Nazareth.  We are told in the Gospel of Luke that Jesus grew up, he showed signs of a strong spirit, he was very wild, and lastly he was overflowing with the love of God.  We also know that Jesus returned from Egypt and began learning the trade of his father Joseph.

Jesus affirms all the above when he is twelve years old.  He had traveled with his parents and many others to Jerusalem for the Passover.  After leaving Jerusalem Jesus and Mary discover that Jesus is not with them or any member of the family.  They return to Jerusalem hunting for the son.  They find Jesus at the temple preaching.  Joseph and Mary who are obviously upset that they had lost their child are in relief when they find Jesus.  Yet, they question why he wasn’t with them.  Jesus makes it clear that his is the Messiah, the Emmanuel when he says I was doing my Father’s work.  Instead of being mad with Jesus they understand that he was doing what he had come to do. 

He then leaves with them to return to Nazareth.  It is not until the end of his life that we learn more about Jesus.  Jesus resurfaces as he approaches his cousin John at the Jordan River.  It is there where Jesus goes into the water to have John Baptize him.  John knows who this is and says Jesus should baptize him.  Jesus reassures John and is baptized at that moment the dove of the Holy Spirit comes to him and God tells his son that he is proud of him.

Jesus leaves this scene and spends 40 days in the desert being tempted by Satan.  We have to realize that there is great significance in the 40 days.  Each day represents one year that the Jewish community spent in the wilderness.  They were tempted yet, unlike the Jewish community he did not give into the temptations.  This fulfilled the law and set the stage for Jesus to be the redeemer of the world.

He spent the next three years preparing his disciples and the world for his final destination.  He taught using stories to help the masses understand the love and redemption power of God.  Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead.  Jesus taught in the temple.  Jesus walked upon the masses and sharing with those that society had abandoned.  Jesus was the instrument of love during these 3.5 years. 

To fully understand these 3.5 years you will have to spend time going through the bible to find all of the miracles.  To fully understand the stories that were shared you will need to spend time studying the Bible.  The Story of this time in Jesus life is vital for it prepares us for the gift of salvation.  We encourage you to read the Gospels and walk with Jesus in his time of ministry.

Then the day came for Jesus to fulfill his work.  He was persecuted by the Church the government gave into the will of the masses.  Jesus carried his cross to the mount.  He then gave his life willingly to God.  Jesus died the Savior.  Three days later he rose from the grave to give us all the redemption of the world.  In the end, Jesus ascends to Heaven to prepare the way for those that would accept the saving grace.

The story of Jesus does not end there.  We now wait on the day that Jesus will return to claim his 
Kingdom here on Earth.  The day is guaranteed.  Yet, we do not know the day or hour Jesus will come.  Therefor we need to spend our life loving, praising and worshiping Jesus.  Prepare your heart for the moment that all have been waiting for.  The day Jesus will come to take his entire beloved children home.

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