The featured image courtesy of John Carley
It All Begins with Jesus!
A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children.
and she refused to be consoled, because they are no more. Matthew 2:16-18
The tragedies of life. How do true believers really explain them, much less comprehend them?
The Massacre of the Innocents is one of the darkest, most evil events in history. It was predicted hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. The key verse refers to the prophecy from Jeremiah 31:15.
Matthew 2:1-23
To skip over the hard parts of the Bible is not the answer. God is always good. Our faith in all circumstances comes by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Mankind often ignores God, only seeking Him in times of trouble or to blame Him. However, if you follow this study to the end, you will witness the goodness of God.
I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.
You will have suffering in this world.
Be courageous! I have conquered the world.
John 16:33
Imagine, you are living over 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem. In the quiet darkness of the night there is a sudden and terrifying invasion into your home.
Before you can react, a brutal Roman soldier murders your sleeping infant as easily as if he were killing an equally brutal adversary. Without explanation your innocent baby is left lifeless in your arms. What would you think?
Very likely, even if you had loved and trusted God, you would be plunged into a dark crisis of your faith. Essentially, in one wicked act you would have lost your child and possibly, you may think you have lost your love for God; even your belief in God.
My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
John 10:27-29
Not every believer walks closely with God. They don't use the resources available to help them keep breathing in the darkest hours.
Our greatest resource is our Helper and Comforter, the Holy Spirit. He is there to help you know what to pray and even supply the words that you can’t verbalize. He is there in God’s Word to remind you of every promise kept and His devotion to you.
In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness,
because we do not know what to pray for as we should,
but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.
Romans 8:26
Those babies, whose lives were priceless to God, did nothing to deserve this wicked act. The parents did not deserve to have their children savagely taken from them.
Herod the Great was guilty. Every Roman soldier that carried out his sadistic plan was guilty. Each were inspired by Satanic hatred.
So, where do we find Christmas hope in this story? Where do we find Christmas hope in our own stories?
Always, only Jesus brings Light to darkness. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can recover from every crisis of faith and know peace with God.
Radiant Hope…
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Christ Jesus wasn’t just a good example. He was more than that. He was more than we ever could be. He is the One who suffered everything to redeem not only helpless people, but also those who hate Him.
Jesus’ power over sin was the same power that reveals His kind patience, which leads us to repentance.
Jesus didn’t just come for the murdered babies and kind people.
Jesus would have redeemed the Roman soldiers who carried out Herod’s orders, too. He would have redeemed Herod….if these people with empty hearts had accepted Him as the Savior.
Herod’s mission to kill Jesus failed.
His earthly journey as a baby, on the way to the cross, the grave and the victorious resurrection began.
God sent Jesus to save mankind. Matthew 1:20-21. John 10:10
When we embrace our Savior and follow His ways, we can live with peace in our hearts, even in the darkest of days.
Our Hope is not a wish unfulfilled. Our Hope is a Promise kept-
Immanuel
God is With Us
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 