It was Sunday, and yours truly just got out of the morning church service and headed to my friend’s house (apartment) to continue with the Bible reading sessions we hold every Sundays.
And as was expected, my friend was there started with his usual ranting and raving about how his sister mistreats him by having him sleep in the basement where he gets bothered by the soot/smoke from the furnace. And I keep telling him to be in prayer instead, thanking GOD that he has a place to go back to.
But he just don’t seem to hear me. So, I persisted on pointing him to the goodness of the LORD GOD. And told him to get in with our Bible reading. And sure enough, he accommodated. And so, we read the Bible. And I was figuring out where to start this time; which book.
Before coming over, I make it a point now to pray and ask the LORD GOD to help me with this ministry. You see, this is not the first time I did this Bible reading with this guy (and with his friends). And almost every time, our conversation starts and ends with things carnal, worldy exchange (dialogue). So live and learn. And believe me, I learned quick.
So, we started with the gospel of Matthew. Actually, we read the first chapter already. So we continued (to be more precise) with chapter two. And as usual, I winged it (with a wing and a prayer), relying on the leading of the HOLY GHOST. “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.” (Matthew 10:19).
“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, saying, Where is HE that is born KING of the Jews? For we have seen HIS star in the east, and have come to worship HIM. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where CHRIST was to be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, …” (Matthew 2:1-5).
I then asked my friend what that passage was saying to him. And seemed not to know; so I went on ahead and gave my commentary on it. First I asked him where the place was that that verse was referring to – it was referring to Bethlehem. CHRIST was born in Bethlehem! But why in Bethlehem? First of all, what were they (Joseph and Mary) doing there? I told him to turn to another passage in the scriptures that gives us more detailed information on these couple, and specially on Mary. And that passage is found in the gospel of Luke.
“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from GOD unto a city named Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man named Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.” (Luke 1:26). Mary and Joseph were from Nazareth. And they went to Bethlehem (which is about 8 miles away – from what I heard) to obey the Roman decree, see Luke 2:1-7. Judaea was under the Roman empire governance/control. And that how Mary and Joseph wind up there. And while there, the LORD JESUS was born!
And why is this so important? Because it is fulfilling the prophecy of Micah way back then, several thousand years ago. GOD’s WORD was fulfilled. GOD Is faithful, and what HE says, HE will do. Not only that, but the LORD GOD is sovereign. HE is in complete control of all things, of all events in our world (mankind).
And what has this got to do with my friend? I told him to not fret so much, instead pray, and thank the LORD GOD for HIS many blessings to you – because HE is sovereign. HE knows your situation, and HE is taking care of you (but specially if you are HIS child, if you asked CHRIST to forgive you).
GOD's Daily Grace 