Category: Deo Padgett

Sovereignty of God, Part 2

This post was originally published February 29, 2020. I am re-posting three articles at this time to remind us of the Sovereignty of God in the governmental affairs of the nations. Romans 13:1-7 speaks specifically to this issue. Verse 2 says, “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are put in place by God.” (Tree of Life Version)

With that thought in mind, I submit to you what was written four years ago prior to our 2020 election for the President of the United States.

Let us begin:

A couple of weeks ago, I was reading a small book about the nation of Iraq published by Voice of Martyrs. On the inside cover of the book was the following verse, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing saying…” (2 Chronicles 36:22, NKJV). (emphasis mine)

My thoughts turned to our own situation as a nation regarding the furor that has been advanced over our current President and his election in 2016. What struck me was that it’s the Sovereignty of God that puts men and women into positions of leadership in our world. Cyrus was not an Israelite king. He was a pagan king chosen by God to fulfill His Word through the prophet Jeremiah.

Is it possible that the Lord in His Sovereignty has put our current President in a place of leadership to fulfill His purpose in the earth? Of course it is, and to think otherwise is not to recognize the Sovereignty of God. That is why we must pray for those in authority over us (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

In Romans 13:1-7, the Apostle Paul gives clear istruction regarding our relationship to those in authority over us in our government. He writes in Romans 13:1, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” As the commentary in my study Bible says, “Paul does not suggest that God approves of corrupt government, ungodly officials, or unjust legislation. Sometimes, however, in punishment for the sins of a people, or for other reasons known to Him, God allows evil rulers to have authority for a time, as the OT prophets frequently testify. Ideally, God grants authority to serve good ends (vs.3,4). How that authority is will be the accounting of each to whom it has been given. Although obedience to earthly authority is the general rule, a clear biblical principle is that we may need to disobey government if commanded to sin, for loyalty to God always takes priority over all human authority. When government officials use force to restrain and punish evil, they are not doing wrong. Rather, they are God’s minister (servant) and are doing good.” ( Spirit Filled Life Bible, NKJV, copyright 1991 by Thomas Nelson, pg. 1709)

Please understand that I am not casting any dispersion on the current administration. I am not sitting in judgment regarding its performance.

That is not what the Lord has called me to do as a believer in Christ.

I am responsible as a Christian for my behavior and conduct as a believer in Jesus Christ with respect to the President of the United States. I may not always agree with him; however, I must respect the office that he holds because he has been put there by God.

David, who was pursued by Saul, understood this principle; he would not take Saul’s life because he knew that Saul had been appointed by God. David respected that choice even though Saul ‘threw spears’ at him. (I Samuel 19:10-12).

I am persuaded that the Lord in His grace and mercy ‘stirred up the heart’ of Mr. Trump to run for President.

Why?

I can only conjecture; but here is my premise.

Since 1900, our nation has been pursuing a pathway of liberal progressivism that has been chipping away at our founding principles as a nation. It is my belief that God has placed a road block in that ideological pursuit to remind our nation of the fundamental benefits of capitalism and how it has been the significant economic foundation of our nation. I understand that many can and will dispute this claim; and I understand some of their reasonings; however, the fact remains that there needs to be a free-market society to generate the finances necessary to properly run the nation. I believe that capitalism has been the most successful. I am not saying that it is flawless. Human nature does not allow that to happen whatever economic system you aspire too.

Therefore, if this is true, then the coming election in 2020 has the potential of being an election between two economic systems: capitalism or socialism.

This election MUST NOT be about which candidate I like or what promises I want fulfilled; but what economic system I choose to be the ‘engine’ that runs our Republic.

Are we willing to look past Presidential personality, political parties and personal prejudices, and focus our attention upon what will be the governing financial ideology of our nation?

If this is what the 2020 election is ultimately about, then the future of our nation is at stake, literally.

I believe that the Sovereignty of God has graciously intervened in our history as a nation to pull us up short and squarely put before us this choice that will determine the future of our nation.

I encourage you to set aside the campaign rhetoric and look intently at the real choice that is before us.

What financial ideology do you want to fuel this nation’s economy, Capitalism or Socialism?

The ballot box will give us the answer.

Now that we have come to the end of this post, I asked us to consider carefully what is the true nature of the 2024 Presidential election?

Are we still fighting personalities regarding who will be President?

Are we still in pursuit of the political progressivism that undermines the founding principles of our nation ?

As a voter in this nation, what criteria do I use to judge the merits of our current administration?

I recommend that you consider the effects that all three branches of our government have had on our nation in the past four years?

Do not allow yourself to be blinded by those who paint a different picture than the reality that is before you.

Do not allow yourself to be deaf to the political rhetoric that lies, deceives, distorts, and puts forth falsehoods to cover up their political agenda.

In short, wake up, to what is happening to our nation.

But, you might be saying, and/or thinking, where is God in all of this?

That’s my point, God is Sovereign. Isaiah 55:8 says, ” “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.” It is a declaration of Adonai (YHWH, LORD). For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than yours, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (TLV) (insert mine)

Maybe we need to begin there.

Pray!

Turn your eyes and thoughts upon Him.

Ask Him, Father, “what’s up?”

a brother in Christ, deo

Finding Refuge in the Lord, because an ‘unprecedented unrest’ is coming to our nation.

On Sunday, July 2,2023, Matt Rehrer, the Executive Pastor of North Creek Church, shared a teaching from Psalm 46. His sermon title was SHAKEN BUT STILL. I concur with the title of his sermon because of what I believe the Lord has been speaking to my heart and the hearts of others in the Body of Christ.

Back in October, 2021 when we were engaged in battling the Covid epidemic, I wrote a post entitled Finding Refuge in the Lord. On June 14, 2023, I wrote and published a post, entitled The Coming Unrest. I re-posted that article on July 7, 2023. That post emphasizes the necessity of taking refuge in the Lord.

It is my goal to update that post Finding Refuge in the Lord and to incorporate Psalm 46 as the Lord directs. I believe that finding refuge in the Lord is essential for the Body of Christ to understand, embrace, and ready itself for the ‘unprecedented unrest’ coming to our nation and to the world scene in the near future.

Let me begin.

I want to share what I believe the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church in preparation for what is on the horizon.

The foundation of what I am sharing is incorporated in the posts, The Coming Unrest and the The A.A.R.O.W. of God. I know that sounds like a lot to juggle; but I believe that the Holy Spirit will make a clear statement.

As Derek Kinder once said, “There is not refuge from Him, only refuge in Him.“

We, believers, find ourselves living in a world bombarded with harsh words, criticism, lies, deceit, innuendoes, and false accusations. What else should we expect from a world ruled by Satan who is the “prince of the power of the air”; whose spirit “is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2 ESV). In this atmosphere there is no place of refuge, rest or peace, except in the Lord. (emphasis mine)

In the Tree of Life Version (TLV), Psalms 62:6-9 says, “My soul, wait in stillness, only for God-for from Him comes my expectation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my strong tower-I will not be moved. On God, my salvation and my glory is the rock of my strength. My refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart in His presence. God is our refuge. Selah (emphasis mine)

The continuous pounding of the daily caustic rhetoric is like a jack-hammer breaking up the concrete, creating a relentless noise perpetuating unrest, distrust, irrational conversations and disturbing thinking. The constant spewing forth of such words, as the Book of James tells us, “…is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:15-18 ESV)

The church of Jesus Christ has faced this type of verbal brutality throughout its history.

Jesus made no secret of this happening to His followers. In Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV), Jesus said, “Blessed are those who persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil (verbal assaults) against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (insert mine)

The inflammatory dialogue has become incendiary promoting acts of violence that are daily occurrences in our nation and the rest of the world. Added to this is the increase of Christian persecution which has contributed to the killing of many believers throughout the world. These tragedies are documented by Christian organizations such as the Voice of Martyrs, Open Doors USA, and other evangelistic organizations ministering within the nations (i.e. India, Afghanistan, North Korea, China, Africa, etc.) and other continents where Christians have been persecuted and killed.

The truth is that most followers of Christ, living in the twenty-first century in North America, have never experienced the reality of the words spoken by Jesus. If you are like me, the closest I have come to being persecuted has been some level of ‘feeling’ uncomfortable or ‘personal’ intimidation, which is in reality not persecution at all.

Many followers of Christ in the rest of the world experience daily the full weight of Christ’s words.

Am I ready for such opposition? Are you? Is the Body of Christ?

In our nation, the Christian community has been experiencing a rise in opposition to religious freedoms. Opposition has taken the form of objections to stances taken in/at the workforce, disapproval of religious preferences, resistance to Biblical beliefs, and hostility when Christian’s express their personal opinions that are not in keeping with the perceived cultural norms.

Beginning in 2019, as you remember, the Covid pandemic spurred a number of confrontations when our government officials issued guidelines restricting movement, the assembling of ourselves together, and other protocols that were interpreted as infringements upon our personal rights as citizens of this nation, citizens of our states, and citizens in our local communities.

For instance, can government officials make guidelines to restrict a church from assembling together for worship? Some said yes; some said no; some successfully followed the guidelines; other dismissed them completely. Over time, the Covid pandemic subsided, its restrictions were relaxed, and the right to assemble was reinstated.

However, there was some collateral damage done to some congregations because the adherents of the local congregation were not of the same mind-set regarding the enforcement or non-enforcement of the guidelines. The Body of Christ had some schisms, hurts, and bad feelings to work through. I know of one congregation that did not survive. I wonder how many other churches suffered greatly.

There were many other rulings that the citizenry of our nation wrestled with, such as: masks, no masks; mandatory vaccine shots; no mandatory vaccine shots; eating inside and/or outside at restaurants; spatial distancing; and health guidelines if you contracted Covid, such as. travel restrictions; employment regulations; and many others that were residual because of the governmental guidelines.

We all know now, because we experienced it, some more acutely than others, that our entire country was in a national turmoil.

Daily we were bombarded with ‘do this’ or ‘that’ ; or ‘don’t do this’ or ‘that’.

People asked a lot of questions; and many did not receive adequate answers.

There was confusion, chaos, and calamity.

Some said that the governmental control was absolutely mandatory.

Others were concerned about the overarching control that our government officials exercised upon our individual lives and the lives of our citizenry.

The confusing part was that our government officials,over time, found themselves unsure of what to do and say, and as such became contradictory trying to explain themselves.

In many instances, they backed themselves into a corner and the prospects of getting themselves extricated from the problems they created did not seem promising.

Over time, things have quieted down regarding Covid; but the residual effects of governmental control have lingered.

This has raised new concerns.

Where have the government’s edicts taken us as a nation?

Now that they have had, what they believe has been a success issuing edicts, what will be the extent of their continual control?

I submit that is what many in this nation are struggling with?

In addition to Covid, there have been other major issues that have taken center stage in our on going struggle against the government’s insistence to regulate and reform our nation.

I am referring to abortion, free speech, racism, immigration, border control, energy, school curriculum, parent’s rights, national debt, climate control, gun control, and voting regulations to name some of the most dominant internal issues; and I haven’t even listed any external issues involving our relationships with other nations.

These areas of concerns have been rearing their ugly heads over the past several decades and gaining traction in our communities. The seeds of most of these problems have been sown over the course of our nation’s history. The frequency of objection regarding these issues have become numerous.

Why?

Because they are real issues that need to be addressed.

One thing that I have noticed is the increasing irrationality of those who support the administration’s handling of our problems; and the increase in the level of their verbal defiance against those who disagree with the administration’s positions.

We are losing our civility as a nation to dialogue.

Maybe our elected government leaders are not as interested in solving the issues facing our nation as they are about using the problems to remain in control and power so that they can change the fundamental construction of our Constitutional Republic.

Why do I bring this to our (your) attention?

I will say it again.

These are real problems that we as a nation, must address, and deal with if we are going to maintain a civilized nation as founded by our founding fathers.

In order to rationally address our issues, let us consider this importance assessment.

What is the ‘fruit’, ‘the influence’ that these issues are exerting over our nation?

First, let us identify the source.

What is the source of the ‘influences’ that I am referring too?

According to James 3:13-18, the source of these is issues is not from ‘above’ but from ‘below’. ‘Below’ means that the source is “earthly, unspiritual, demonic”. Those are not my words; they are God’s Word.

Let me put those words into context.

James 3:13-18 (NKJV) says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Let us ask ourselves some questions.

Do we have confusion or clarity in our nation?

Do we have unrest or peace in our nation?

Do we have division or unity in our nation?

Do we have bondage or freedom in our nation?

These are just some of the comparisons we could make.

The truth is that we as a nation are being affected by ungodly ‘influences’ determined to undermine our nation.

Let’s reflect on the passage James 3:14 (ESV). What does the Word of God say are the effects of these ‘influences’? “But where bitter jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (emphasis mine)

Is this an appropriate description of what we are witnessing daily in our nation?

I do not believe that it is a stretch of my imagination to look at the cultural fabric of our nation, and say that these words accurately describe what we see, hear, and experience daily in our nation.

The remedy will come by a Sovereign work of God in the life of this nation.

A ‘spiritual’ awakening will need to happen; and this ‘awakening’ will take place God’s way, and not man’s way.

Ephesians 5:13-17 (NJJV) says: “But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says, “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do no be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit…”

As a believer, how am I (are we) to respond? *We must fast and pray.* As I have been sharing in previous posts, I believe, that the Lord is going to intervene with His ARROW (Read Psalm 64) and expose the lies and deceits perpetrated against this nation.

I believe that God’s ARROW has already been ‘shot’ and that the effects, as stated in Psalm 64 are already being realized.

But the intensity of the effects of that ARROW will continue to grow.

The results of that growth will become ‘unprecedented unrest’.

The Lord has been and is still enlisting members of the Ekklesia to fight with prayer and fasting against the evil principalities influencing this nation.

We are His people. (1 Peter 2:9-12)

We are to be salt and light to the unsaved world. (Matthew 5:13-16)

We are also to be spiritual soldiers doing battle for the Lord (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Does this mean that everything will ‘magically’ disappear, and all the problems will be instantly solved?

No!

Why?

Until the Christ returns, there will always be opposition to the Lord and the Gospel message.

Christian truth is an obstacle to the world.

We need to remember that the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is to be a ‘voice’ and an ‘influence’ for the health of the nation in which it resides.

A Christian is not obliged to ‘check’ his/her Christianity at the door of public office; nor is a Christian supposed to ‘flaunt’ one’s Christianity on the job or in public.

A Christian is to be a positive witness of the life of Christ that is living in him/her. (Matthew 5:13-16)

Today (July 11,2023) I read a quote spoken by President John Adams, who stated, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

We are living in a time when we are witnessing the the truth of his insight.

This nation has lost its morality and its relationship to God; and we are watching our nation being governed by many elected officials who are not interested in the governing principles of our Constitution.

They are morally corrupt and irreligious. The results are devastating.

Therefore, let this truth permeate our (your) thinking: a person, who loves the Lord, and seeks to walk uprightly before Him, honoring Him in all that he/she does or says, will come into contact with those who oppose Christianity. That’s the way it is. This is not negative; it is reality.

Jesus was being absolutely truthful when He told His followers that they would be treated harshly because of their association with Him.

Spiritual ‘awakenings’ are a two-sided coin.

There is God’s side; and there is Satan’s side.

Satan opposes God’s intervention.

He always has and he always will; but he is not in control, and he is a defeated enemy.

That is the assurance of the Victory of the Cross.

Yes, the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness are in spiritual battle.

The victory is ours now in Christ. (emphasis mine)

Living out the Victory of Christ is our mandate until Christ returns. (emphasis mine)

The Apostle Peter reminds us of the spiritual battle in I Peter 4:12-14 (ESV).

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trail (get ready for the heat, and it’s not global warming) when it comes to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s suffering, that you may rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and God rests upon you.” (insert mine)

Believer be encouraged, the Trinity is present with you. (emphasis mine)

You are not alone.

Did you see it?

In the last sentence of the previous paragraph, the name of Christ, the Spirit of glory, and God are all mentioned.

It is easy to understand why Peter said, “you are blessed”.

How can one not be blessed when you are surrounded by the Eternal Godhead?

Remember, you are a citizen of another Kingdom, the Kingdom of God.

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV), says God, “has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his blessed Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

O VICTORY IN JESUS, MY SAVIOR FOREVER…(sing it!) (emphasis mine)

If we truly understand this, and live our lives accordingly, we will be a MARKED people in the eyes of the world. We will be the candidates for their opposition. (enphasis mine)

We will be reviled, persecuted, spoken evil of, having many words uttered against us falsely for following Christ.

That is what Jesus taught and told His followers would happen.

We must turn off and tune out the confusion of the world.

I am not suggesting that we stick our head in the sand and ignore the ‘signs of the times’ around us; neither am I suggesting that we do not interact with unbelievers.

What I am saying is that we must ‘wake up’ to the reality that we have always lived in an evil world and the Christian ethic that once graced our nation has been systematically removed ‘stealthily’ from our society; and we are now living in a nation and a world that has become more hostile and vocal against the followers of Christ.

We must not allow ourselves to get caught up in the destructive rhetoric promulgated throughout our nation and the world.

We must keep ourselves free from being governed by the words and thoughts of the world.

We must not allow our hearts to be controlled by the destructive verbal rhetoric of this world.

We must not shrink back from following and focusing on the Lord.

Please read Matthew 24:1-24. Let us not be deceived. Let us continue to grow in God’s ‘agape’ love and not grow cold as lawlessness increases. Let us endure (holds one ground in conflict) to the end and be saved. (insert mine)

To accomplish this, we need to center on Christ and His Word. In Him, we will find refuge and rest (r and r) in the midst of the storm of ‘unprecedented unrest’ coming to our nation (and the world). He is our peace. (insert, emphasis mine).

Our God is an Awesome God, and He, Himself, is coming with His Presence and Power to deal with this nation (and the world).

As Matt Rehrer said Sunday, June 2,2023, there will be a shaking; but in the midst of the shaking, there is a stillness in God. That stillness is found and experienced in Him as our refuge. (my summary, and emphasis)

Be blessed, a brother in Christ, deo

*Regarding fasting and prayer* : fasting and prayer aligns our heart and mind with the heart and mind of God. Fasting and prayer sets our life (our desires) aside to focus on what the Lord wants to say and to accomplish through His people. Please read Isaiah 58. Fasting and prayer is also for spiritual battle. You N.E.E.D. to read Nehemiah, Ezra, Esther, Daniel. They all fasted and prayed in their time of spiritual need and battle with the enemy for their nation.

Please continue to pray for our nation, and fast as directed by the Lord.

Birth, Boyhood, Becoming…Equals ‘Bar Mitzvah’

This is the third of a series of blogs about Luke 2:1-52.

In the previous blog, we were contemplating Luke 2:41-50. I proposed that you read this passage of scripture and ask yourself a question. Why would this event in the life of Jesus, Mary, Joseph be difficult for Jesus’ mother and father to comprehend?

Did you come up with an answer? I hope so!

What is taking place? The Baby has grown through Boyhood and now He has reached the time of ‘Becoming’… becoming what?

Luke 2:41 sets the scene. “Now His parents were going every year to Jerusalem for the Passover feast”(TLV). Why? Exodus 23:14-17 and Deuteronomy 16:16 tell us that “Three times a year all your males are to appear before Adonai your God in the place He chooses–at the Feast of Matzot (Unleavened Bread, Passover), the Feast of Shavuot (Feast of Weeks, Pentecost), and the Feast of Sukkot( booths, Tabernacles)No one should appear before Adonai empty-handed–the gift of each man’s hand according to the blessing Adonai your God has given you. (Deut. 16:16-17, TLV) [Inserts mine]

As was shared in verse 39, Jesus’ parents “had completed everything according to the Torah of Adonai” (TLV); it is no surprise that the family is still keeping the guidelines of the Torah. Remember, Jesus’ words, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets! I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.”(Matthew 5:17 TLV)

Joseph is leading his family according to the Law of Moses. Therefore, in keeping with the Law, verse 42 (TLV), says, “When He became twelve years old, they were going up according to festival customs.” This is what we read previously in Deuteronomy 16.

The commentary footnote in my study Bible, says, “2:42, At the age of 12 a Jewish boy became a “son of the Law” and began to observe the requirements of the Law.” It is easy to leave this statement alone and move on looking at the passage of scripture; however, Him being 12 didn’t begin with me reading the commentary in my study Bible. I am using the Tree of Life Version and it has no commentary; so I did some digging, or should I say, googling.

Here is what I found? Many believe that a boy turning 12 or 13 has reached the age of accountability. For a Jewish family, a 12 year old son, would be making his transition from Boyhood (my emphasis) to Adulthood. That is why I described this event in Jesus’ life as being on the precipice of Adulthood.

I do not believe that it is out of order to say that Jesus was having His ‘Bar Mitzvah’. Don’t turn me off! Give me some slack.

According to gotquestions.org, “The term ‘bar mitzvah’ means “son of the commandment…” Within Judaism the idea ‘bar mitzvah’ (for a boy) or ‘bat mitzvah’ (for a girl) is relatively new. The ceremony of ‘bar mitzvah’ is a recognition of adulthood; a boy becomes a man…as an adult…he shares the responsibilities and privileges of a full member of the Jewish community…For the past hundred years or so, the ‘bar mitzvah’ ceremony has become more important. In the past, the new ‘bar mitzvah’ (son of the commandment) was eligible to wear telifin (phylacteries) during prayer…In addition, the ‘bar mitzvah’ (son of the commandment) is allowed to read publicly from the Torah in the synagogue on the Sabbath.”

What I have just shared is not explained in the Hebrew Bible. Question: Is it explained in the scriptures? No.

I find it interesting that when Jesus was 12, He remained behind in Jerusalem after the Feast of Passover and did not return home in the caravan with His family.

I would like to share from another article I read. The words from the this article were reprinted with permission from the Second Jewish Catalog, published by the Jewish Publication Society. The article that I will be sharing is Deborah Lipstadt’s, ‘What Does Bar Mitzvah Mean?’. She writes, “…one is a full-fledged member of the Jewish community, able to participate in all aspects of its religious expression and existence, even if one has never had a bar/bat mitzvah celebration. All that is necessary is that one be 12 years old if a female and 13 years old if a male (those years are arbitrary due to the custom of puberty) …it is important that one remember that the essence of bar/bat mitzvah is the age of the individual. The obligations and responsibilities become theirs whether there is a formal celebration or not.” (insert mine, but her thought)

(This obviously helps us understand what has been written in the Torah and what Jesus and His family are responding too when He turned twelve. )[insert mine]

This is extremely important because as Deborah Lipstadt writes, “the ceremony which is of fairly recent origin, does not make one a bar/bat mitzvah; it merely marks the time when one becomes a ‘son/daughter of the commandments’. The real meaning of the phrase is not (emphasis mine) ‘son/daughter of the commandments’ but ‘one of the commandments’ (in the sense of “one who is responsible for performing the commandments”) [insert mine]

What does this mean in the narrative of Christ? I submit that Jesus ‘had a ceremony’ in Jerusalem; but not one as a Jewish family would celebrate today. What Jesus experienced was a Divine appointment created by His Heavenly Father as a ‘Coming of Age’ moment as the Son of Man. God, His Father, presented His Son, at the age of twelve, before the religious leaders, to acknowledge His transition from Boyhood to Becoming ‘Bar Mitzvah’.

Unfortunately for His earthly parents this was a frightening experience.

That is covered in verses 43-50.

Let me ask you another question about Jesus. Was Jesus a precocious Child?

Ponder that thought.

But remember to consider Jesus as precocious,I am sure that you understand, this can only be considered in a positive context because Jesus is the Son of God/Son of Man, Who is without sin.

Blessings, following the Lord, deo

Part 3

Birth, Boyhood, Becoming…

This is the second in a series of blogs about Luke 2:1-52.

In the previous blog we considered Christ’s Incarnation and it’s importance to the plan of salvation. There is no doubt that Christ being born in the flesh is absolutely significant in order that mankind is presented with the pathway to eternal life. John 1:14 NKJV says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus is the Son of God/Son of Man, God with us, Emmanuel, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world. These words are the embodiment of the Incarnation.

The Christ Child has been born. The Church celebrates His Birth in December. Unfortunately, very little is said or satisfactorily explained from the pulpit most of the time regarding the significance of the Incarnation. The Son of God, taking on human flesh becomes the instrument used by God, the Father, for the sacrifice to be offered to take away the sin of the world.

As wonderful as the story of the Birth of the Christ Child is, the reality is that this infant will grow, become a Man and be God’s sacrifice for sin–He is, as John the Baptist declared, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”(John 1:26, NKJV). He is The Sacrificial Lamb.

In the Letter to the Hebrews, (Hebrews 10:5-18, NKJV), the writer explains the absolute significance of the Incarnation:

“Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come–In the volume of the book it is written of Me–To do Your will, O God.’ ” “Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, Behold, I have come to do your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them, “then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.”

This passage is a bedrock of foundational truth for Christianity.

Each Christmas season, Luke 2 is the ‘go to’ passage for Christmas, and rightly so. As I read Luke 2 this past Christmas and reflected upon the Incarnation, something else came to my attention reading the entire chapter. Verses 1-20 tell of Christ’s birth; verses 21-38 tell of Christ’s circumcision eight days after His birth, Simeon’s recognition of the Christ Child, and Anna’s declaration in the Temple of Christ’s identity. Verse 39 transitions the narrative from “performing all things according to the law of the Lord” in Jerusalem, and then to returning home to Nazareth. Many of you are probably thinking, this is no ‘big deal’; my Bible will show me that, true. But for me, the translation of the Bible I was using was not broken apart like that; it was a continuous dialogue, and I was ‘seeing’ the flow, not being ‘shown’ the flow. It was really personally rewarding.

Verse 40 tells us that (Tree of Life Version) “the Child kept growing and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.” Question: How many years of growth are we referring too? Verses 41-50 transport us from the Temple and the family returning home to Nazareth; and then fast forwards to His parents returning to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Passover, 12 years later. The Baby has grown through His Boyhood experiences and now stands at the precipice of Becoming recognized as an adult. The facts of His Childhood years are not shared, except for the testimony of verse 40: He grew up, was strong, smart, and blessed by His Father, God. What a glorious testimony. Such a testimony would make any parents proud of their Son; yet, He was unique. He was God’s Son, being cared for by Joseph and Mary. My study Bible, NKJV, says of verse 40, “Luke emphasizes the complete humanity of Jesus.” We must always remember that Jesus was the Son of God in human flesh; and as such is the Son of Man.

In the Luke narrative, a detailed description of an event in life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is shared for us. This event is found in Luke 2:41-50. This event, I believe, pictures for us the duality (called the hyperstatic union in Christian theology) of Jesus as the Son of Man/Son of God. This duality is not a problem for Him; but we are shown the impact that it had on His father and mother in a real life situation and how Jesus responded to it.

At this point, I would like to recommend that you read Luke 2:41-50, and ask yourself a question. Why could, what has been described in this passage, be difficult for Jesus’ mother and father to comprehend?

With that question to ponder, I will stop.

I will use that question as the introductory thought for the next blog.

blessings, a brother in Christ, deo

originally published 1-24-2023, part 2