March 15, 2024 • 51 mins
Chapter 3 of Heroes in the Bible: Jesus with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by the Gospels.
God With Us - The Birth of Christ. This story showcases the humble yet profound beginning to Jesus. His birth fulfills many prophecies, yet flips people’s expectations upside-down.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Luke 2:11, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
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Learn more about Dr. Tony Evans at https://tonyevans.org/
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
For unto you is born this day in the city
of David, a savior which is Christ, the Lord Luke
two eleven. He is here, Christ, the Lord, the King
of the Jews, the Savior of the world, is born
to day. Glory, hallelujah. What a glorious revelation. Praise you,
(00:24):
my sweet Lord of Light and Love. What a thrilling
announcement to know that the prophecies of old have come
to fulfillment. The cloud of darkness is about to be
defeated by the Kingdom of Love, and justice is growing
on the earth. The Word is made flesh this day
(00:44):
in the city of David, where prophecy meets destiny. Glory, hallelujah.
This is the day the Lord has made, and I
will be glad and rejoice in it. This is the
day You came into the world, rapt in the flesh
of a human baby, just like me and all the
other children of the spiritual seed of Abraham. You were
(01:08):
the Savior whom God provided and appointed and had long
promised from the beginning of the world. You are the
great King being both God and man, who is the
only one able to work out salvation for all sinners.
It is you, Jesus, who saved me from sin, satan
(01:29):
and the law of bondage to the world, death and hell,
and every enemy that wanted to destroy me. Thank you,
Father for this powerful gift of your son Jesus, who
is the reason for this season. I will rejoice and
be glad in Jesus name.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
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Speaker 3 (02:06):
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Speaker 4 (03:08):
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evan, your host for Heroes in
the Bible Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,
please share it with your family and friends so they
can know Jesus in a personal way, because knowing Jesus
is the key to understanding the Bible. Welcome to the
greatest story ever told. It is the story of a
shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love for his children,
(03:32):
and a hero's triumph over death and darkness. This is
a story that continues to shape and mold the world
around us, bringing the divine heart of God right into
the hearts of you and me. In this episode, we
meet our long awaited hero. His arrival has been prophesied
since the beginning of time, but he comes in an
(03:53):
unconventional way. He doesn't fall from a star or form
of volcano. He comes humbly as a new born baby,
surrounded by livestock, tucked into a cave behind an end.
What is the purpose behind his humble birth and what
does it communicate to us? The way God came and
(04:13):
lived among us reveals what he values most. He doesn't
value opulent processions, decad and feast and displays of riches.
God values humble and determined hearts that love at all costs.
In this episode, we will follow Mary and Joseph to
the small town of David, Bethlehem. Pay attention to the
(04:35):
way they love and serve each other. It is a
revelation into the servant heart of Christ. We will begin
this episode with a prelude, only this prelude is not
from another passage in scripture. We will take a look
at history and the context surrounding the census. The rise
of Caesar Augustus is a well known story, but we
(04:57):
rarely associate it with the birth of Christ. However, it
was the rise of this emperor that set the stage
for Christ to come. Pay attention to the contrast between
the birth of Jesus and the rise of Caesar. These
two kings are linked by destiny, but couldn't be more different.
One came with an iron fist, the other came with
(05:19):
a gentle hand. One came with an army, the other
came as a baby. I can't wait to share this
story with you. Without further ado, here's episode three, God
with us.
Speaker 5 (05:39):
Prelude to chapter three. He was born with the name Octavian,
nephew to Julius Caesar. Octavian quickly became the favored son
of the Roman Empire. The Great Julius Caesar had conquered much,
but not without making enemies. He was brutally murdered, and Octavian,
(06:00):
along with two others, Mark Antony and Lepidus, split the
empire three ways. For decades, the entire land in the
east was brutalized by rivalry, war, and political unrest. Octavian
and Antony became rivals, and for years they threw hundreds
(06:21):
of thousands of men at one another for the right
to be sole ruler of the empire. Although he was outnumbered,
Octavian mobilized his men brilliantly and defeated the combined forces
of Antony and Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. Octavian stood over
mounds of sacrificed soldiers, looking at the horizon. After many
(06:45):
long years, he was finally sole ruler of Rome. Caesar Augustus.
The Roman Empire, far reaching towards the east, had been
wrecked by war, destruction and corruption. Its farms had been
blighted by neglect, and its cities were raided to fund
(07:05):
the civil war. Trade had declined, and with it the
wealth of the common people. No one was left unaffected,
from the rich and influential to the commoner and beggar.
All were hurt and longing for a savior. Caesar Augustus
was eager to fill that role. With his new found
(07:27):
power over the entire empire, Caesar Augustus sought to bring
order to the chaos. He had diminished Rome's enemies, brought
political stability, and restored the economy. Through his conquest of Egypt,
political unity was at hand. Finally, after years of suffering,
the Roman people were beginning to feel at peace. However,
(07:51):
not all were benefactors of Rome's success. Caesar Augustus took
Rome to new heights, but not without a price. He
demanded absolute power and undivided devotion from his people. The
Roman Senate was reduced to nothing, and Augustus rose above
(08:12):
the title of emperor and was now revered as a
god himself. Augustus exalted himself and demanded reverence, not just
as a great leader, but as a deity. His soldiers
were no longer mere soldiers, but devoted followers. His governors
were no longer distributors of order, but priests. All of
(08:35):
them bowed down at the altar of a false lord.
The people of Israel watched as their independence was slowly
stripped away. More soldiers laced the city's streets, The morally
corrupt culture of Rome spilled through its homes like a
rushing tide. The people of God watched as their culture
(08:56):
was watered down by the waves of Roman oppression. Every
Jew who was brutalized by a Roman soldier or tax
beyond their limit pined for the days of King David.
They longed for a time when Israel was secure, protected
and flourishing. They longed for the redemption that was to come,
(09:19):
and they clung to the promised Messiah spoken of to
David before his death, saying.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your offspring to succeed you. Your
own flesh and blood and I will establish his kingdom.
He is the one who will build a house for
my name, and I will establish the throne of his
(09:49):
kingdom forever.
Speaker 5 (09:51):
They longed for the champion of the people spoken of
by Isaiah that said.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light
on those living in the land of deep darkness, a
light has dawned.
Speaker 5 (10:06):
They waited eagerly for that night. They desired a king
of their own to restore peace, prosperity, and holiness to
the people of God. They desired a conquering emperor to
rival Caesar and reclaim the promised land. They expected a
political and economic revival to be ushered in by a
(10:28):
gleaming hero with an army behind him. Yet no one
expected what was about to come. Chapter three, God with us.
Speaker 6 (10:42):
By decree of Lord Caesar Augustus, all must returned, each
man and his family to the land of his forefathers,
to be registered in taxt This is the final word
of our Lord. Neglecting to comply will be met with
swift punishment by the law of Rome.
Speaker 5 (11:00):
Declaring these things in front of the entire village, the
Roman centurion nailed the decree to a post in the
center of Nasworth. Joseph watched from afar with worry on
his face.
Speaker 7 (11:12):
But Mary is eight months pregnant.
Speaker 5 (11:15):
He thought to himself. Joseph and Mary were both descendants
of David. Their homeland was the birthplace of Israel's great king, Bethlehem.
The road to Bethlehem from Nazareth was not for the
faint of heart. At best, it was a week's journey,
but Mary was well into the later stages of pregnancy.
(11:37):
The roads were unpaved, and the forests were filled with lions, bears,
and wild boar.
Speaker 8 (11:44):
And the roads will no doubt lure in robbers.
Speaker 5 (11:46):
Joseph thought. He cringed at the thought of taking Mary
over ninety miles through the wilderness in her condition. There
was no doubt that in order to survive this journey,
every day would have to be bl last by God.
So Joseph gathered Mary and provisions for the trip, and
the two were off for Bethlehem. The next day. It
(12:10):
was late and the evening sky was painted with bright stars.
It had been a long week of traversing rough ground,
and Mary was fast asleep. Joseph looked up at the
expanse above him, listening to the evening winds whistling through
the canyons far off. A sense of smallness came over
him as he looked at the heavens above. He thought
(12:34):
about his forefather, David, and how he must have felt
tracking the wilderness under these very same stars.
Speaker 8 (12:42):
The heavens declared the glory of God, and the skies.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Proclaimed the work of his hands.
Speaker 5 (12:48):
Joseph whispered, quoting a psalm of David. Joseph looked down
at Mary's sleeping beside him. He stroked her hair and
covered her shoulder with the blanket. Am I, Joseph thought
to himself, Who am I?
Speaker 4 (13:03):
The God would trust me with this?
Speaker 5 (13:07):
He sat up all night, determined to protect Mary and
the unborn child. In just a day's time they would
be in Bethlehem. He looked at his wife, filled with
tender love for her and the baby living within. She
would give birth any day now, and Joseph knew time
(13:27):
was running out. The wall blanket covering Mary's face was
damp for morning dew. The morning sun had peaked above
the valley, kissing the horizon with a beautiful orange hue.
Mary sat up and winced. Her hips were tender from
a long night sleeping on her side. At this point
(13:48):
in her pregnancy, good sleep was hard to come by.
She rubbed her eyes and saw Joseph already packing the
donkey for the final stretch of their journey. Smiled as
she watched her husband diligently preparing. He had sold half
his tools to buy that donkey. Traveling animal of that
(14:09):
size was worth a small fortune, but Joseph was always
willing to sacrifice. He had the heart of a true
man of God, and she loved him for it. Mary
saddled up and rowed as Joseph walked beside them. Her
constant discomfort made it a particularly long final day, and
(14:31):
the pains of childbirth were beginning to slowly rise. As
they approached Bethlehem, Joseph became increasingly more anxious. Every one
had already arrived for the senses. Hundreds of thousands of
people had returned to Bethlehem to register. Mary sat near
a well in the middle of the city as Joseph
(14:53):
frantically knocked on every door he could find. Not only
was every inn in town full, but all of Mary
and Joseph's relatives that resided in Bethlehem had rejected them.
Mary being pregnant with a child that was not Joseph's
was scandalous. As Joseph knocked on over the air, Mary's
(15:13):
screams became louder and louder. Joseph picked Mary up in
his arms and ran down the road to the largest
inn in town. Help us, Please, somebody, help us, Joseph
cried out. Joseph slammed his head against the large wooden
door of the inn, keeping Mary firmly in his arms.
There was no answer, and Joseph could hear laughter coming
(15:37):
from inside. Joseph yelled even louder, Please anybody, Still no answer,
only the white noise of people enjoying a hearty meal
and good company. Joseph could no longer wait. With Mary
still cradled in his arms, Joseph lifted his leg and
kicked the door open and slammed with dramatic force, but
(15:58):
it was still not enough noise to anyone's attention. Joseph
then saw why nobody had answered his calls for help.
The inn was filled to the brim with guests, and
there was barely any room for people to spread their arms,
let alone hear a sound from outside. Joseph spotted the
innkeeper busting empty cups in the corner. Joseph called out
(16:19):
to him, Innkeeper, Innkeeper. It was enough to catch his attention.
The innkeeper was disheveled, His gray hair was ragged and messy,
and his round face was red from the heat of
the room.
Speaker 8 (16:31):
We are full, sir, as you can clearly.
Speaker 5 (16:34):
The innkeeper stopped mid sentence as he saw the pregnant
Mary crying in Joseph's arms. Have mercy on us, Joseph pleaded.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
My wife is.
Speaker 8 (16:43):
About to give birth and there is no one left
to help us.
Speaker 5 (16:46):
The innkeeper stroked his beard, concern clearly seen on his face.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
My wife and I have given even our old room up,
you see, he said, with regret. We truly have no
more room, especially no room for your wife to have
her privacy.
Speaker 5 (17:01):
He scratched the back of his head and darted his
eyes down the hill behind the inn.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Well, there may be one place I can give.
Speaker 7 (17:09):
You, he said, Follow me quick.
Speaker 5 (17:11):
Joseph put Mary back on the donkey, and the three
of them made their way down a small winding path.
Behind the inn. Carved into the side of the hill
was a cave like structure that held the goats and donkeys.
The sun was beginning its descent over the hills, and
Mary's pain was reaching a new level. The innkeeper hung
(17:32):
the lantern, illuminating the stable just enough for Mary and
Joseph to see. At this point, Mary's pain became more frequent,
at more painful. Her cries were louder, and it was
clear the baby was on its way soon.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
I'm sorry that this is all I can do for you.
Speaker 5 (17:50):
The innkeeper said. Joseph nodded in thanks and attended to Mary.
Mary's screams echoed through the cave like stable. Sweat beat
down her brow as her whole body tensed in pain.
Joseph was beside Mary, unwavering at his devotion to her.
For a few hours, Mary pushed for a joy set
(18:13):
before her. Mary endured the agony. She willingly laid down
her own comfort so that this child may experience life.
Mary did not know it at the time, but the
sun she was about to birth would one day endure
his own pain for the sake of others. Her cries
continued as the sun finally set over the western hills. Then,
(18:38):
as the stars began to sprinkle across the sky like fireflies,
Mary's wails were replaced with the whimpering of a new
born baby in a dusty stable, surrounded by a host
of farm animals, the promised child of God was born.
Mary and Joseph cried as the new born babe breathed
(19:00):
in his first breaths on earth. There were no priests
to sound trumpets or incense burned at his feet, just
two doting parents, a few donkeys and sheep in silence.
It was a truly humble birth for such a long
awaited king. Yet this was the prophecy of Isaiah long
(19:22):
before that a virgin would conceive and give birth to
a son in the city of Bethlehem and call him Immanuel,
which means God with us. This was that moment, the
moment God had promised since the fall of mankind, God himself,
Creator and the Word of Life came down to dwell
(19:45):
among mankind. He did not do so with a procession
of gold or vast army. He did so by coming
in the likeness of man in the most humble of ways.
A baby swa in a manger. Mary leaned over and
kissed his nose. The spirit of God was present and near.
(20:10):
Joseph and Mary found themselves considering the words of Isaiah
long ago, saying.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
For to us a child is born, to us, a
son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful counselor Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Speaker 5 (20:34):
They could not begin to imagine what this child would
grow up to do. For now they held him, kissed him,
listened to his cries, and attended to his every need.
For now they were doting parents, humbly thanking God for
the burden and blessing of caring for a king. Not
(20:58):
too far in the distance of the group of shepherds
lay in the fields, tending to their sheep. They gazed
at the stars as the sheep settled for the knife. Together,
they pointed out constellations, told stories, and took SIPs from
their wine skins. The valley was silent, and the tall
grass swayed to the light breeze. They fixed their eyes
(21:20):
on the skies, with weary bodies ready for sleep. As
they began to tuck themselves in beside the fire, a
gust of wind flew in from all directions. The shepherds
leaped to their feet, watching the wind blow out the
fire in an instant and immediate darkness covered them, followed
by a burst of light, cutting through the horizon like
(21:43):
a long blade. The light split in every direction, enveloping
the shepherds like a whirlwind, breaking through the light. As
the sound of Heaven's hosts harmonizing to the light itself,
the shepherds cowered in awe and fear. Their legs trembled
as they fell to the ground. Fear not, the voice
(22:05):
cried out from the light.
Speaker 8 (22:07):
We have come with good tidings of great joy. In
the town of Bethlehem lies a baby. This child is
the Messiah, the Lord, the savior of the world, and
redemption of mankind.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
The shepherd's eyes widened, taking in the brilliance of the
dancing lights around them. Hues of bright orange, pink, and
white flurried like a swarm of doves. The angel spoke
from the light, saying.
Speaker 8 (22:39):
Go therefore and see for yourselves. You will find the baby,
wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.
Speaker 5 (22:48):
As he said this, he was immediately surrounded by a
choir of more angels, singing.
Speaker 8 (22:54):
Glory to God in the highest peace on earth and
goodwill towards mankind.
Speaker 5 (23:02):
And like a vapor in the wind, The lights dissipated
and vanished. The melodies of heaven were replaced with the
slight breeze of the evening wind. The shepherds sat there
quiet for a moment. They looked at one another, dismayed
by what had just occurred. Their eyes made their way
(23:22):
towards Bethlehem. A few torchlights were still flickering in the distance.
Resting above the city was a new star, unlike any
they had seen before. The shepherds wasted no time. They
left their things and ran towards Bethlehem to see the
new born king. They knew the child had been born
(23:43):
in some sort of stable, since he was lying in
a manger, so they searched high and low through every
farmhouse and back property they could find. Shepherds were not
beloved members of any city. They were typically outcasts and rejects.
It was for that exact reason they had to be
careful where they searched, and it was for that exact
(24:06):
reason they were all the more honored to see the
newborn king. They searched the city for hours until they
found the inn. They peered in a small hill towards
the back. Below were a few lights illuminating a small
stable carved into the hill. They approached quietly.
Speaker 9 (24:27):
There, in the coolness of the night, they saw him.
The baby was sleeping soundly in a manger, surrounded by
straw and torn cloth. He was the most marvelous thing
they had ever seen. He did not glow or speak,
he did not cry in a strange tune or radiate flames.
(24:51):
But the child was absolutely special. The shepherds knew, without
a shadow of a doubt that they were in the
presence of the King of Israel, the promised One, the
Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. Mary and Joseph watched
as the men paid homage to their new born king.
(25:15):
Tears streamed down their rough faces. Since the fall of humanity,
the earth has longed for its savior. Kings and kingdoms
had risen and fallen due to greed and corruption. Mankind
pined after the righteous king that would lead them into peace.
(25:36):
The long awaited king had come, and the first people
who were able to fall at his feet were lowly shepherds.
The thought humbled them beyond words. They blessed. Mary and Joseph,
paid one last respect to the new born king, and
departed from the stable. Overjoyed, the shepherds proclaimed what they
(25:58):
had seen all throughout Bethlehem. Their shouting woke up the town.
The praises of the shepherds reached far beyond the limits
of Bethlehem. Soon more would catch wind that the promised
King of the Jews had been born. Jesus was eight
(26:20):
days old, and as was custom, it was time for
him to be circumcised and dedicated in the Temple. The
journey from Bethlehem to Jerusalem was not far, although it
was difficult for Mary to venture too far outside the city.
Joseph led Mary and Jesus to the temple gates. Its
walls were vast and magnificent, arrayed with gold, ivory, and cedar.
(26:45):
The descendants of David approached the temple, it was a
surreal moment. Sitting under the shadow of the temple gates
was a man named Simeon. He sat there quietly every day,
watching as newborn children were brought in to be dedicated.
The thought of new life being raised in the love of.
Speaker 5 (27:06):
The Lord enlivened him. Yet there was one child in
particular he was waiting to see. For years, Simeon had
waited to see the Messiah entered the temple gates. The
Lord had told him long ago that he would witness
his coming, so he waited patiently. Age had fought against
(27:27):
Simeon's will for quite some time, but he was determined
to see God's promise fulfilled. He prayed in the shade
of the temple walls until the Holy Spirit tugged upon
his heart. He opened his eyes and saw Mary and
Joseph entering the temple courtyard with a small child. Simeon's
(27:49):
old heart fluttered in his chest, his bones ached as
he stood to his feet, limping over.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Could this be?
Speaker 5 (27:59):
He shouted towards Mary and Joseph. Tears fell down his
cheeks as he hobbled over to the child. Startled, Mary
stepped back and held Jesus close, but then she looked
at the man's eyes. Joy overwhelming, an honest joy could
be seen in his eyes. Simeon extended his reach for
(28:22):
the new born Jesus. Instead of recoiling again, Mary rested
him in Simeon's trembling arms. The old man held the baby,
tears of joy streaming down his gray beard. He held
the child like someone would a chest of gold. In
Simeon's gaze, was the look of someone who had found
(28:44):
his life's purpose. He held the boy up and praised God.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Oh, my God, Now I may rest in peace, for
I have seen your salvation and held it in my arms.
He is the radiance of your glorious grace.
Speaker 5 (29:07):
Simeon kissed Jesus's forehead and gently handed him back to
his mother. Simeon then fixed his eyes onto Mary. He
held her shoulders, piercing her with his intense gaze. Be warned,
my child, this baby is destined to make many fall
and rise. Nations will be built on his shoulders. Then
(29:33):
many will stumble because of him. He will expose the
deep darkness of the heart and restore light to those
who love him. However, many will seek.
Speaker 1 (29:48):
His life, and.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
A sword will cut straight through your very soul at
the sight of it.
Speaker 5 (29:55):
After dedicating Jesus in the temple, Mary and Joseph departed
back to bed for him. There they were able to
buy a small home to stay in until they were
ready to return to Nazareth. Yet, for now they enjoyed
the quiet bliss of Bethlehem. Its green, rolling hills and
lush open fields were a nice contrast to Nazareth. Together,
(30:19):
Mary and Joseph dedicated themselves to caring for Jesus. They
tended to his needs and created a home of love, tenderness,
and honor towards God. For over a year they remained there,
awaiting God's next prompting. The desert sand danced to the
(30:39):
evening winds as a caravan of camels walked in formation
underneath the eastern stars. The camels were arrayed with the
finest materials and ornaments. Riding on their backs were wise
men magi from the south. Three of them rode in
front of the rest, Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar. They were
(31:03):
men of wealth, magic, and education. They were scholars, astronomers,
and alchemists who tracked the stars closely for guidance. They
were fascinated by prophecy of all kinds, particularly that of
the Hebrew text. According to their estimation, the time of
the Messiah was at hand, and when they saw a
(31:26):
new star fixed above the land of Israel, they wasted
no time. They rode for weeks, traveling by night, in
order to follow the new formation of stars. Old scrolls
and prophecies spoke of this star. This star was a sign,
a sign of the new king. Of Israel a sign
(31:46):
of the Messiah. Their men drew closer to Judea, inquiring
about any new happenings from the past year. As they
traveled deeper into the region, whispers of the new king
had emerged. According to rumors, a few lowly shepherds had
been rambling about their encounter with a host of angels
(32:07):
and witnessed the newborn Messiah. The wise men followed the
star and bent their ear to any more rumors among
the city fall.
Speaker 7 (32:16):
If there has been a new king born of the Jews,
would not the current king know of his whereabouts? Bouthazar inquired,
Surely he should be the one we speak to first.
Speaker 5 (32:28):
So the men traveled to the palace of Herod, sitting
governor and king over the Jewish province. Herod was a
clever man, clever enough to remain in the good graces
of the Emperor while maintaining power over the Jewish people.
Herod was a brilliant politician, shrewd as a viper in
(32:49):
the grass. He had a deep lust for power and
taxed the people heavily to maintain his authority over them.
His paranoia knew no Caesar Augustus himself claimed that it
was better to be Herod's pig than his heir. He
would stop at nothing to secure his throne, even murder
(33:11):
his own sons. Word reached Herod that the Magi had
made their way into the city. Since they were men
of wealth and influence, Herod saw this as an ample
opportunity to curry favor with them. Herod had his servants
prepare a decadent meal in their honor. He received them
with a procession of music and fine wine. The Magi
(33:34):
were men of means, therefore accustomed to such hospitality. However,
there was a crookedness behind his smile, and they were
not fully trusting of Herod.
Speaker 10 (33:44):
Just yet, my lords, to what do I owe this pleasure?
Speaker 7 (33:49):
Herod asked cordially, where is the new born King of
the Jews.
Speaker 5 (33:53):
The Magi asked, we have.
Speaker 7 (33:54):
Followed the Messiah star and have come to lavish him
with gifts and favor.
Speaker 5 (33:59):
King Herod winced at their words. He had heard rumors
from the shepherds about a new born baby. However, Herod
was the King of the Jews, and he would not
allow a child to cause any sort of disruption to
his rule. Herod composed himself and took a sip of
his wine. Hiding his silent rage. He beckoned for one
(34:21):
of the palace priests, priest tell us, where the Messiah
is prophesied to be born.
Speaker 7 (34:28):
That would be Bethlehem, my lord, the birthplace of David.
Speaker 5 (34:31):
He responded. Herod twitched a smile. He raised his glass
to the wise men.
Speaker 10 (34:37):
There you have it, my lords. Perhaps the rumors are true.
We may have a new king in our country. Glory
to God.
Speaker 5 (34:45):
Herod sipped again from his glass. His eyes betrayed his smile.
The magi could clearly see him wrestling hatred in his bones.
Speaker 10 (34:54):
Should you find the child in Bethlehem? I would very
much like to know where he is so that I
might worship him. Of course, please, if these words are true,
send words back to me.
Speaker 5 (35:06):
The three men bowed, thanking Herod for his hospitality. Herod
watched them leave with a smile. As the doors closed,
his smile turned quickly into a scowl. Messiah or not,
Herod whispered, No man, woman or child shall destroy what
I have built. Herod's eyes reflected an ancient evil, an
(35:32):
evil once worn by the face of Pharaoh. He threw
his cup against the wall and called for his guard.
Speaker 10 (35:39):
Bring me the head of every boy under the age
of two. Spare no one, including those who would disobey
my orders.
Speaker 5 (35:47):
He sat back on his throne, stewing in his own paranoia.
Speaker 2 (35:52):
I shall not be undone by an infant.
Speaker 5 (35:55):
Herod said to himself, tending to the baby, while Joseph
tended to the fire. It was getting late and the
three of them were beginning to wind down for a
good night's rest. The air was cool outside, but their
home was filled with warmth and love. Joseph kissed Mary's
forehead and then bent down to kiss Jesus's nose. The
(36:19):
baby cooed, and the couple smiled down at him. Amidst
the madness of raising a baby, there were these small
moments of complete bliss. They prayed to the Lord daily
that he might grant them wisdom to protect and nurture
this precious gift. As the family shared a moment of tenderness,
(36:41):
they heard a pounding at the door. Joseph perked up.
Who could be knocking at this hour? Joseph jested from
Mary to stand back while he slowly approached the door.
The knocking grew louder, and Joseph's heart began to beat faster.
He knew that it was only a matter of time
before he was called to defend his bride and the child.
(37:04):
Joseph grabbed his chisel and placed it securely behind his back.
He opened the door slowly to find three men, dressed
in fine linens and adorned with jewels, waiting behind it.
Speaker 7 (37:16):
We have come to worship the new born king.
Speaker 5 (37:20):
They bowed at one knee. Joseph couldn't believe his eyes.
He looked back at Mary and gestured for her to
come forward with the baby. The wise men entered through
the door. Their expensive robes and shining ornaments looked out
of place in their humble home. However, when the three
(37:41):
men saw Jesus, all status and wealth seemed to disappear.
They fell on their faces and bowed before the child.
Speaker 7 (37:51):
It is an honor our, King Kaspar said, we have
traveled far to see you and bow at your feet.
Speaker 5 (37:58):
Joseph and Mary ex changed looks of amazement. It was
one thing for shepherds to bow at the feet of Jesus,
but these were men of royalty, kings and their own right.
The magi brought in a small chest. In it, the
three gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Unbeknownst to the wise men,
(38:23):
these gifts would represent the royalty, divinity, and death of Christ.
In these offerings were hidden secrets to the life and
death of God's chosen king. The gold represented Christ's royalty
and heavenly inheritance. The frankincense represented his divinity as it
(38:45):
was often offered up in temples, and the murrh represented
his death for it was often used during burial. This
interaction between Jesus and the magi revealed more of who
Jesus truly was. He was God himself, humbled to the
point of becoming a child. After giving the gifts, the
(39:09):
men said good bye and returned to their home. As
they were leaving, they considered sending word to Herod. However,
God clearly gave them discernment against it, for they could
see the jealousy pressed deep down in his heart, ready
to overflow at a moment's notice. As the men departed,
Joseph and Mary retreated their bed. Joseph watched Jesus sleep
(39:33):
in Mary's arms until his eyes grew heavy and eventually
fell into a deep slumber.
Speaker 10 (39:40):
Run Joseph, the voice said flee now to Egypt.
Speaker 5 (39:47):
It yelled again. Joseph awoke in a sweat, looking around
for the voice. Sweat dripped down his head and back.
He was panting frantically. He looked round the room again,
then at his wife beside him. The child was still
resting in her arms.
Speaker 8 (40:03):
Was it a dream, he thought.
Speaker 5 (40:06):
Joseph got up from the bed and looked out the door.
The city in the distance was illuminated by flames, and
Joseph could hear the faint cries of children and frantic mothers.
Joseph knew in his bones something was wrong, and the
voice he heard was warning him. This is what he
was called to do. This is why God chose him
(40:29):
to protect Mary and protect the child. Joseph gathered up
all their belongings and loaded them up on the donkey.
Then gently Joseph picked up his wife and the infant
in his arms. He rested them softly on the donkey
and then led them through the city streets towards the countryside.
(40:50):
Smoke was rising and getting closer. The sound of painful
screams and wails grew louder. They were disturbing breaking guards
spread across the nearby cities in Judea, ripping babies out
of their mother's arms. The streets ran red with infant blood,
(41:11):
and the Lord wept over Herod's cruelty. Mary held Jesus
closely underneath her club so he would remain hidden, while
Joseph led them through the streets with the donkey in
one hand and chisel in another. Mary gasped as they
turned the corner to find a guard dragging a child
(41:31):
out of his home and throwing him into a sight.
The mother lunged at the guard to save her child,
only to meet the tip of the god's sword. Joseph
quickly changed course and took them down an alleyway past
the well. The wilderness was in sight, so the three
of them darted towards the woods. The three of them
(41:53):
ran away to Egypt. There they found refuge until Herod
met his bitter end. Eventually they would return to Nasareth
with the boy. Jesus would grow in stature, in favor
with people. He would increase in his awareness of who
he was, and take his place as the redeemer and
(42:16):
chosen King.
Speaker 4 (42:22):
Merry Christmas, everyone, even if you are listening to this
at a different time, you can't help but feel a
little bit of that Christmas spirit while listening to this episode.
Most people have heard this story the Star, the Shepherds,
the Manger, and the Magi. We've experienced this story throughout
several different mediums, but that doesn't mean we can still
(42:43):
extract fresh and impactful truth from it. The prelude is
a good place to begin, since it sets everything in
motion for our story to occur. The prelude highlighted the
origin of Caesar Augustus. His rise to power was filled
with drama, scandal, bloodshed, and glory. After consolidating power in Rome,
Caesar transformed himself from a king to an emperor, then
(43:06):
from an emperor to a god. He became the prevailing
god of the age, worshiped by many. Temples were erected
to his glory, and followers were incredibly devoted. This episode
said it well, let's listen. The Roman senate was reduced
to nothing, and Augustus rose from above the title of
emperor and was now revered as a god himself. Augusta
(43:28):
exalted himself and demanded reverence not just as a great leader,
but as a deity. His soldiers were no longer mere soldiers,
but devoted followers. His governors were no longer distributors of order,
but priests. All of them bowed down at the altar
of a false lord. Let's pause together for a moment
and consider the contrast between the rise of Caesar and
(43:51):
the rise of Christ. The two stories are fundamentally different.
While Caesar conquered, Christ served while Caesar fought his way
to pro dominence, Jesus arrived in humidity. The contrast between
Caesar and Christ highlights the difference between the kingdom of
the world and the Kingdom of Heaven. The kingdoms of
the world are about status, power, and greed. The Kingdom
(44:14):
of Heaven is about service, humidity, and grace. This episode
is not just a description about a hero with humble beginnings.
It is a charge for us to consider true greatness
in the eyes of God. In Matthew twenty, Jesus tells
us about true greatness. He says, you know that the
rulers of this world lord their power over the people,
(44:35):
and the officials flaught their authority over those under them.
But among you it must be different. Whoever wants to
be great among you must be your servant, and whoever
wants to be first among you must become your slave.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served,
but to serve others, and to give his life as
a ransom for many. Mary and Joseph were truly great
(44:57):
in this episode. They embodied the essence of Matthew twenty
by serving one another and sacrificing their comforts for the
sake of Christ. The census could not have come at
a worse time, since Mary was in the final weeks
of her pregnancy. They were compelled to go by law
and had to endure a treacherous journey. However, at the
(45:17):
end of it all, Christ was born, as it was prophesied,
lying in a manger in the city of David. The
hand of God was moving in the midst of the struggle.
You never know when incovenient task or hard seasons of
life are actually providential, so it is best to endure
them with all joy. Marry and Joseph are wonderful examples
(45:40):
of endurance and joy. Since Joseph will not be mentioned
much more in our story, let's give him some love here.
Joseph was given a very daunting task. It was his
responsibility to protect Mary and Jesus at all costs and
we see in this episode that he was constantly on
high alert. He took his callings seriously, never demanding anything
(46:02):
in return. We can all learn quite a bit from Joseph,
who silently served his wife without any need for recognition.
There seemed to be a lot of things working against
them in this episode. The journey from Nazus to Bethlehem
was a struggle. The city was crowded, and there was
no help from their relatives. This is one of the
hidden details that we can find in between the lines
(46:25):
of scripture. Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, where all
of their kinsmen also had to travel. Yet somehow they
were alone and without any help. Perhaps the scandalous nature
of marriage pregnancy made them outcasts among their own people.
Later on in Jesus's life, some of the religious leaders
mocked the mysterious nature of his birth, insinuating that he
(46:47):
didn't know who his real father was. Jesus wasn't just
born in the humble circumstances, he was born in the
scandalous circumstances. Sometimes people aren't going to understand you. They
will make assumptions of the way you live or the
choices you make. But in the end, what matters most
is your relationship with God. Confidence in him will give
(47:08):
you the strength to endure the rejection of others. After
a dramatic effort by Joseph to get married somewhere to rest,
the couple is finally brought to a small cave etched
into the side of a hill behind the end. Most
likely the cave was home to sheep, goats, and possible donkeys.
Mary labored for hours, enduring pain for the sake of
(47:28):
her son's life. For those of you who have experienced
the joy and struggle of childbirth, you may understand on
a greater level what I'm about to share. A woman's
labor and childbirth is one of the greatest examples we
have of the Gospel. A woman endures an intense amount
of pain and suffering so the child might be brought
into life. This is what Jesus did for us. He
(47:51):
endured pain and suffering so we can experience being born again.
The story teased this concept when it said Mary willingly
laid down her own comfort so that this child may
experience life. Mary did not know at the time, but
the son she was about to birth would one day
endure all his own pain for the sake of others.
(48:12):
After the birth of Christ, he was visited by shepherds.
If you listen to our series throughout the life of David,
you will already have insight into the significance of shepherds
in the Bible. God chose the lowly shepherds of the
fields to be the first to worship God's son. This
is the foreshadowing of Christ's life, since he will be
the good shepherd to tend to the flock of Israel.
(48:34):
After the shepherds, The next person to interact with Jesus
was Simeon. He foretold, prophesied over the child and gave
a foreboding warning. Be warned, my child. This baby is
destined to make many fall and rise. Nations will be
built on his shoulders, and many will stumble because of him.
He will expose the deep darkness of the heart and
(48:55):
restore light to those who love him. However, many will
seek his life, and a soul Lord will cut straight
through your very soul at the sight of it. Simeon's
words are a foreshadowing of things to come. The influence
of Jesus is felt more palpable today than it was
back then. Many nations have risen because of him, and
many nations have fallen because of him. Many people have
(49:17):
come to the light because of him, and many people
that scurried back into darkness because of him. We all
feel the power of Jesus's name, whether we worship it
or not. Mary is also given a warning from Simeon.
He warns her that a sword will cut straight through
her soul. She would have to watch her baby boy
be mocked and crucified. The final people to see Jesus
(49:39):
in this story are the wise Men. Now, there is
no possible way for us to know how many magi
there actually were. Most stories portray three because there were
three gifts, but it could have been dozen. Later tellings
of the story in church history identify the magi by
name and even identify their lands of origin Moultro from Persia,
(50:01):
Gasper from India, and balth the Czar from Arabia. Their
speculation in these men, but the literary significance of the
gifts is what is most important. The magi gave three
gifts to Jesus, who was most likely between the ages
of one and two at this time, Gold, Franknstance, and
mir The story gave us wonderful insight into the meaning
(50:23):
behind these gifts. Unknownst to the wise men, these gifts
would represent the royalty, divinity, and death of Christ, and
these offerings were hidden secrets to the life and death
of God's chosen king. The gold represents Christ's royalty and
heavenly inheritance. The frank instance represented his divinity as it
is often offered up in temples, and the mirv represented
(50:46):
his death, for it was often used doing burial. This
interaction between Jesus and the magi revealed more of who
Jesus truly was. He was God himself, humbled to the
point of becoming a child. The beginning of Christ's story
foreshadows his entire life. He will rule as a king,
bringing God's kingdom to earth. He will reveal himself to
(51:06):
be God himself, creator and sustainer of life. He will
die as a sacrificial lamb, taking away the sins of humanity.
The beginning of Jesus's life showed us the entirety of
his life. Now we can look at the rest of
his story through the lens of his royalty, divinity, and humility.
In our next episode, Jesus' ministry begins join us for
(51:29):
episode four, This is My Son. Thank you for listening.
For more inspiring stories, daily prayers, and wisdom to last
a lifetime, go to pray dot com. Share this podcast
with a family member or friend so they can know
Jesus Christ in a personal way. You never know how
great of an impact the Bible and this podcast can
(51:51):
have on someone's life. God bless
For unto you is born this day in the city
of David, a savior which is Christ, the Lord Luke
two eleven. He is here, Christ, the Lord, the King
of the Jews, the Savior of the world, is born
to day. Glory, hallelujah. What a glorious revelation. Praise you,
(00:24):
my sweet Lord of Light and Love. What a thrilling
announcement to know that the prophecies of old have come
to fulfillment. The cloud of darkness is about to be
defeated by the Kingdom of Love, and justice is growing
on the earth. The Word is made flesh this day
(00:44):
in the city of David, where prophecy meets destiny. Glory, hallelujah.
This is the day the Lord has made, and I
will be glad and rejoice in it. This is the
day You came into the world, rapt in the flesh
of a human baby, just like me and all the
other children of the spiritual seed of Abraham. You were
(01:08):
the Savior whom God provided and appointed and had long
promised from the beginning of the world. You are the
great King being both God and man, who is the
only one able to work out salvation for all sinners.
It is you, Jesus, who saved me from sin, satan
(01:29):
and the law of bondage to the world, death and hell,
and every enemy that wanted to destroy me. Thank you,
Father for this powerful gift of your son Jesus, who
is the reason for this season. I will rejoice and
be glad in Jesus name.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest story ever
told from Prey dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
In Genesis, God said, I give you every seed bearing
plant on the face of the earth, and every tree
that has fruit with seed in it. They will be
yours for food. It's so blessedly simple, right, But with
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(02:26):
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(02:49):
nutrients are. How will you know Field of Greens works
At your next checkup, your doctor will notice your improved
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offgreens dot com promo code Bible.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evan, your host for Heroes in
the Bible Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,
please share it with your family and friends so they
can know Jesus in a personal way, because knowing Jesus
is the key to understanding the Bible. Welcome to the
greatest story ever told. It is the story of a
shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love for his children,
(03:32):
and a hero's triumph over death and darkness. This is
a story that continues to shape and mold the world
around us, bringing the divine heart of God right into
the hearts of you and me. In this episode, we
meet our long awaited hero. His arrival has been prophesied
since the beginning of time, but he comes in an
(03:53):
unconventional way. He doesn't fall from a star or form
of volcano. He comes humbly as a new born baby,
surrounded by livestock, tucked into a cave behind an end.
What is the purpose behind his humble birth and what
does it communicate to us? The way God came and
(04:13):
lived among us reveals what he values most. He doesn't
value opulent processions, decad and feast and displays of riches.
God values humble and determined hearts that love at all costs.
In this episode, we will follow Mary and Joseph to
the small town of David, Bethlehem. Pay attention to the
(04:35):
way they love and serve each other. It is a
revelation into the servant heart of Christ. We will begin
this episode with a prelude, only this prelude is not
from another passage in scripture. We will take a look
at history and the context surrounding the census. The rise
of Caesar Augustus is a well known story, but we
(04:57):
rarely associate it with the birth of Christ. However, it
was the rise of this emperor that set the stage
for Christ to come. Pay attention to the contrast between
the birth of Jesus and the rise of Caesar. These
two kings are linked by destiny, but couldn't be more different.
One came with an iron fist, the other came with
(05:19):
a gentle hand. One came with an army, the other
came as a baby. I can't wait to share this
story with you. Without further ado, here's episode three, God
with us.
Speaker 5 (05:39):
Prelude to chapter three. He was born with the name Octavian,
nephew to Julius Caesar. Octavian quickly became the favored son
of the Roman Empire. The Great Julius Caesar had conquered much,
but not without making enemies. He was brutally murdered, and Octavian,
(06:00):
along with two others, Mark Antony and Lepidus, split the
empire three ways. For decades, the entire land in the
east was brutalized by rivalry, war, and political unrest. Octavian
and Antony became rivals, and for years they threw hundreds
(06:21):
of thousands of men at one another for the right
to be sole ruler of the empire. Although he was outnumbered,
Octavian mobilized his men brilliantly and defeated the combined forces
of Antony and Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. Octavian stood over
mounds of sacrificed soldiers, looking at the horizon. After many
(06:45):
long years, he was finally sole ruler of Rome. Caesar Augustus.
The Roman Empire, far reaching towards the east, had been
wrecked by war, destruction and corruption. Its farms had been
blighted by neglect, and its cities were raided to fund
(07:05):
the civil war. Trade had declined, and with it the
wealth of the common people. No one was left unaffected,
from the rich and influential to the commoner and beggar.
All were hurt and longing for a savior. Caesar Augustus
was eager to fill that role. With his new found
(07:27):
power over the entire empire, Caesar Augustus sought to bring
order to the chaos. He had diminished Rome's enemies, brought
political stability, and restored the economy. Through his conquest of Egypt,
political unity was at hand. Finally, after years of suffering,
the Roman people were beginning to feel at peace. However,
(07:51):
not all were benefactors of Rome's success. Caesar Augustus took
Rome to new heights, but not without a price. He
demanded absolute power and undivided devotion from his people. The
Roman Senate was reduced to nothing, and Augustus rose above
(08:12):
the title of emperor and was now revered as a
god himself. Augustus exalted himself and demanded reverence, not just
as a great leader, but as a deity. His soldiers
were no longer mere soldiers, but devoted followers. His governors
were no longer distributors of order, but priests. All of
(08:35):
them bowed down at the altar of a false lord.
The people of Israel watched as their independence was slowly
stripped away. More soldiers laced the city's streets, The morally
corrupt culture of Rome spilled through its homes like a
rushing tide. The people of God watched as their culture
(08:56):
was watered down by the waves of Roman oppression. Every
Jew who was brutalized by a Roman soldier or tax
beyond their limit pined for the days of King David.
They longed for a time when Israel was secure, protected
and flourishing. They longed for the redemption that was to come,
(09:19):
and they clung to the promised Messiah spoken of to
David before his death, saying.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your offspring to succeed you. Your
own flesh and blood and I will establish his kingdom.
He is the one who will build a house for
my name, and I will establish the throne of his
(09:49):
kingdom forever.
Speaker 5 (09:51):
They longed for the champion of the people spoken of
by Isaiah that said.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light
on those living in the land of deep darkness, a
light has dawned.
Speaker 5 (10:06):
They waited eagerly for that night. They desired a king
of their own to restore peace, prosperity, and holiness to
the people of God. They desired a conquering emperor to
rival Caesar and reclaim the promised land. They expected a
political and economic revival to be ushered in by a
(10:28):
gleaming hero with an army behind him. Yet no one
expected what was about to come. Chapter three, God with us.
Speaker 6 (10:42):
By decree of Lord Caesar Augustus, all must returned, each
man and his family to the land of his forefathers,
to be registered in taxt This is the final word
of our Lord. Neglecting to comply will be met with
swift punishment by the law of Rome.
Speaker 5 (11:00):
Declaring these things in front of the entire village, the
Roman centurion nailed the decree to a post in the
center of Nasworth. Joseph watched from afar with worry on
his face.
Speaker 7 (11:12):
But Mary is eight months pregnant.
Speaker 5 (11:15):
He thought to himself. Joseph and Mary were both descendants
of David. Their homeland was the birthplace of Israel's great king, Bethlehem.
The road to Bethlehem from Nazareth was not for the
faint of heart. At best, it was a week's journey,
but Mary was well into the later stages of pregnancy.
(11:37):
The roads were unpaved, and the forests were filled with lions, bears,
and wild boar.
Speaker 8 (11:44):
And the roads will no doubt lure in robbers.
Speaker 5 (11:46):
Joseph thought. He cringed at the thought of taking Mary
over ninety miles through the wilderness in her condition. There
was no doubt that in order to survive this journey,
every day would have to be bl last by God.
So Joseph gathered Mary and provisions for the trip, and
the two were off for Bethlehem. The next day. It
(12:10):
was late and the evening sky was painted with bright stars.
It had been a long week of traversing rough ground,
and Mary was fast asleep. Joseph looked up at the
expanse above him, listening to the evening winds whistling through
the canyons far off. A sense of smallness came over
him as he looked at the heavens above. He thought
(12:34):
about his forefather, David, and how he must have felt
tracking the wilderness under these very same stars.
Speaker 8 (12:42):
The heavens declared the glory of God, and the skies.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Proclaimed the work of his hands.
Speaker 5 (12:48):
Joseph whispered, quoting a psalm of David. Joseph looked down
at Mary's sleeping beside him. He stroked her hair and
covered her shoulder with the blanket. Am I, Joseph thought
to himself, Who am I?
Speaker 4 (13:03):
The God would trust me with this?
Speaker 5 (13:07):
He sat up all night, determined to protect Mary and
the unborn child. In just a day's time they would
be in Bethlehem. He looked at his wife, filled with
tender love for her and the baby living within. She
would give birth any day now, and Joseph knew time
(13:27):
was running out. The wall blanket covering Mary's face was
damp for morning dew. The morning sun had peaked above
the valley, kissing the horizon with a beautiful orange hue.
Mary sat up and winced. Her hips were tender from
a long night sleeping on her side. At this point
(13:48):
in her pregnancy, good sleep was hard to come by.
She rubbed her eyes and saw Joseph already packing the
donkey for the final stretch of their journey. Smiled as
she watched her husband diligently preparing. He had sold half
his tools to buy that donkey. Traveling animal of that
(14:09):
size was worth a small fortune, but Joseph was always
willing to sacrifice. He had the heart of a true
man of God, and she loved him for it. Mary
saddled up and rowed as Joseph walked beside them. Her
constant discomfort made it a particularly long final day, and
(14:31):
the pains of childbirth were beginning to slowly rise. As
they approached Bethlehem, Joseph became increasingly more anxious. Every one
had already arrived for the senses. Hundreds of thousands of
people had returned to Bethlehem to register. Mary sat near
a well in the middle of the city as Joseph
(14:53):
frantically knocked on every door he could find. Not only
was every inn in town full, but all of Mary
and Joseph's relatives that resided in Bethlehem had rejected them.
Mary being pregnant with a child that was not Joseph's
was scandalous. As Joseph knocked on over the air, Mary's
(15:13):
screams became louder and louder. Joseph picked Mary up in
his arms and ran down the road to the largest
inn in town. Help us, Please, somebody, help us, Joseph
cried out. Joseph slammed his head against the large wooden
door of the inn, keeping Mary firmly in his arms.
There was no answer, and Joseph could hear laughter coming
(15:37):
from inside. Joseph yelled even louder, Please anybody, Still no answer,
only the white noise of people enjoying a hearty meal
and good company. Joseph could no longer wait. With Mary
still cradled in his arms, Joseph lifted his leg and
kicked the door open and slammed with dramatic force, but
(15:58):
it was still not enough noise to anyone's attention. Joseph
then saw why nobody had answered his calls for help.
The inn was filled to the brim with guests, and
there was barely any room for people to spread their arms,
let alone hear a sound from outside. Joseph spotted the
innkeeper busting empty cups in the corner. Joseph called out
(16:19):
to him, Innkeeper, Innkeeper. It was enough to catch his attention.
The innkeeper was disheveled, His gray hair was ragged and messy,
and his round face was red from the heat of
the room.
Speaker 8 (16:31):
We are full, sir, as you can clearly.
Speaker 5 (16:34):
The innkeeper stopped mid sentence as he saw the pregnant
Mary crying in Joseph's arms. Have mercy on us, Joseph pleaded.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
My wife is.
Speaker 8 (16:43):
About to give birth and there is no one left
to help us.
Speaker 5 (16:46):
The innkeeper stroked his beard, concern clearly seen on his face.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
My wife and I have given even our old room up,
you see, he said, with regret. We truly have no
more room, especially no room for your wife to have
her privacy.
Speaker 5 (17:01):
He scratched the back of his head and darted his
eyes down the hill behind the inn.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Well, there may be one place I can give.
Speaker 7 (17:09):
You, he said, Follow me quick.
Speaker 5 (17:11):
Joseph put Mary back on the donkey, and the three
of them made their way down a small winding path.
Behind the inn. Carved into the side of the hill
was a cave like structure that held the goats and donkeys.
The sun was beginning its descent over the hills, and
Mary's pain was reaching a new level. The innkeeper hung
(17:32):
the lantern, illuminating the stable just enough for Mary and
Joseph to see. At this point, Mary's pain became more frequent,
at more painful. Her cries were louder, and it was
clear the baby was on its way soon.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
I'm sorry that this is all I can do for you.
Speaker 5 (17:50):
The innkeeper said. Joseph nodded in thanks and attended to Mary.
Mary's screams echoed through the cave like stable. Sweat beat
down her brow as her whole body tensed in pain.
Joseph was beside Mary, unwavering at his devotion to her.
For a few hours, Mary pushed for a joy set
(18:13):
before her. Mary endured the agony. She willingly laid down
her own comfort so that this child may experience life.
Mary did not know it at the time, but the
sun she was about to birth would one day endure
his own pain for the sake of others. Her cries
continued as the sun finally set over the western hills. Then,
(18:38):
as the stars began to sprinkle across the sky like fireflies,
Mary's wails were replaced with the whimpering of a new
born baby in a dusty stable, surrounded by a host
of farm animals, the promised child of God was born.
Mary and Joseph cried as the new born babe breathed
(19:00):
in his first breaths on earth. There were no priests
to sound trumpets or incense burned at his feet, just
two doting parents, a few donkeys and sheep in silence.
It was a truly humble birth for such a long
awaited king. Yet this was the prophecy of Isaiah long
(19:22):
before that a virgin would conceive and give birth to
a son in the city of Bethlehem and call him Immanuel,
which means God with us. This was that moment, the
moment God had promised since the fall of mankind, God himself,
Creator and the Word of Life came down to dwell
(19:45):
among mankind. He did not do so with a procession
of gold or vast army. He did so by coming
in the likeness of man in the most humble of ways.
A baby swa in a manger. Mary leaned over and
kissed his nose. The spirit of God was present and near.
(20:10):
Joseph and Mary found themselves considering the words of Isaiah
long ago, saying.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
For to us a child is born, to us, a
son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful counselor Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Speaker 5 (20:34):
They could not begin to imagine what this child would
grow up to do. For now they held him, kissed him,
listened to his cries, and attended to his every need.
For now they were doting parents, humbly thanking God for
the burden and blessing of caring for a king. Not
(20:58):
too far in the distance of the group of shepherds
lay in the fields, tending to their sheep. They gazed
at the stars as the sheep settled for the knife. Together,
they pointed out constellations, told stories, and took SIPs from
their wine skins. The valley was silent, and the tall
grass swayed to the light breeze. They fixed their eyes
(21:20):
on the skies, with weary bodies ready for sleep. As
they began to tuck themselves in beside the fire, a
gust of wind flew in from all directions. The shepherds
leaped to their feet, watching the wind blow out the
fire in an instant and immediate darkness covered them, followed
by a burst of light, cutting through the horizon like
(21:43):
a long blade. The light split in every direction, enveloping
the shepherds like a whirlwind, breaking through the light. As
the sound of Heaven's hosts harmonizing to the light itself,
the shepherds cowered in awe and fear. Their legs trembled
as they fell to the ground. Fear not, the voice
(22:05):
cried out from the light.
Speaker 8 (22:07):
We have come with good tidings of great joy. In
the town of Bethlehem lies a baby. This child is
the Messiah, the Lord, the savior of the world, and
redemption of mankind.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
The shepherd's eyes widened, taking in the brilliance of the
dancing lights around them. Hues of bright orange, pink, and
white flurried like a swarm of doves. The angel spoke
from the light, saying.
Speaker 8 (22:39):
Go therefore and see for yourselves. You will find the baby,
wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.
Speaker 5 (22:48):
As he said this, he was immediately surrounded by a
choir of more angels, singing.
Speaker 8 (22:54):
Glory to God in the highest peace on earth and
goodwill towards mankind.
Speaker 5 (23:02):
And like a vapor in the wind, The lights dissipated
and vanished. The melodies of heaven were replaced with the
slight breeze of the evening wind. The shepherds sat there
quiet for a moment. They looked at one another, dismayed
by what had just occurred. Their eyes made their way
(23:22):
towards Bethlehem. A few torchlights were still flickering in the distance.
Resting above the city was a new star, unlike any
they had seen before. The shepherds wasted no time. They
left their things and ran towards Bethlehem to see the
new born king. They knew the child had been born
(23:43):
in some sort of stable, since he was lying in
a manger, so they searched high and low through every
farmhouse and back property they could find. Shepherds were not
beloved members of any city. They were typically outcasts and rejects.
It was for that exact reason they had to be
careful where they searched, and it was for that exact
(24:06):
reason they were all the more honored to see the
newborn king. They searched the city for hours until they
found the inn. They peered in a small hill towards
the back. Below were a few lights illuminating a small
stable carved into the hill. They approached quietly.
Speaker 9 (24:27):
There, in the coolness of the night, they saw him.
The baby was sleeping soundly in a manger, surrounded by
straw and torn cloth. He was the most marvelous thing
they had ever seen. He did not glow or speak,
he did not cry in a strange tune or radiate flames.
(24:51):
But the child was absolutely special. The shepherds knew, without
a shadow of a doubt that they were in the
presence of the King of Israel, the promised One, the
Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. Mary and Joseph watched
as the men paid homage to their new born king.
(25:15):
Tears streamed down their rough faces. Since the fall of humanity,
the earth has longed for its savior. Kings and kingdoms
had risen and fallen due to greed and corruption. Mankind
pined after the righteous king that would lead them into peace.
(25:36):
The long awaited king had come, and the first people
who were able to fall at his feet were lowly shepherds.
The thought humbled them beyond words. They blessed. Mary and Joseph,
paid one last respect to the new born king, and
departed from the stable. Overjoyed, the shepherds proclaimed what they
(25:58):
had seen all throughout Bethlehem. Their shouting woke up the town.
The praises of the shepherds reached far beyond the limits
of Bethlehem. Soon more would catch wind that the promised
King of the Jews had been born. Jesus was eight
(26:20):
days old, and as was custom, it was time for
him to be circumcised and dedicated in the Temple. The
journey from Bethlehem to Jerusalem was not far, although it
was difficult for Mary to venture too far outside the city.
Joseph led Mary and Jesus to the temple gates. Its
walls were vast and magnificent, arrayed with gold, ivory, and cedar.
(26:45):
The descendants of David approached the temple, it was a
surreal moment. Sitting under the shadow of the temple gates
was a man named Simeon. He sat there quietly every day,
watching as newborn children were brought in to be dedicated.
The thought of new life being raised in the love of.
Speaker 5 (27:06):
The Lord enlivened him. Yet there was one child in
particular he was waiting to see. For years, Simeon had
waited to see the Messiah entered the temple gates. The
Lord had told him long ago that he would witness
his coming, so he waited patiently. Age had fought against
(27:27):
Simeon's will for quite some time, but he was determined
to see God's promise fulfilled. He prayed in the shade
of the temple walls until the Holy Spirit tugged upon
his heart. He opened his eyes and saw Mary and
Joseph entering the temple courtyard with a small child. Simeon's
(27:49):
old heart fluttered in his chest, his bones ached as
he stood to his feet, limping over.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Could this be?
Speaker 5 (27:59):
He shouted towards Mary and Joseph. Tears fell down his
cheeks as he hobbled over to the child. Startled, Mary
stepped back and held Jesus close, but then she looked
at the man's eyes. Joy overwhelming, an honest joy could
be seen in his eyes. Simeon extended his reach for
(28:22):
the new born Jesus. Instead of recoiling again, Mary rested
him in Simeon's trembling arms. The old man held the baby,
tears of joy streaming down his gray beard. He held
the child like someone would a chest of gold. In
Simeon's gaze, was the look of someone who had found
(28:44):
his life's purpose. He held the boy up and praised God.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Oh, my God, Now I may rest in peace, for
I have seen your salvation and held it in my arms.
He is the radiance of your glorious grace.
Speaker 5 (29:07):
Simeon kissed Jesus's forehead and gently handed him back to
his mother. Simeon then fixed his eyes onto Mary. He
held her shoulders, piercing her with his intense gaze. Be warned,
my child, this baby is destined to make many fall
and rise. Nations will be built on his shoulders. Then
(29:33):
many will stumble because of him. He will expose the
deep darkness of the heart and restore light to those
who love him. However, many will seek.
Speaker 1 (29:48):
His life, and.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
A sword will cut straight through your very soul at
the sight of it.
Speaker 5 (29:55):
After dedicating Jesus in the temple, Mary and Joseph departed
back to bed for him. There they were able to
buy a small home to stay in until they were
ready to return to Nazareth. Yet, for now they enjoyed
the quiet bliss of Bethlehem. Its green, rolling hills and
lush open fields were a nice contrast to Nazareth. Together,
(30:19):
Mary and Joseph dedicated themselves to caring for Jesus. They
tended to his needs and created a home of love, tenderness,
and honor towards God. For over a year they remained there,
awaiting God's next prompting. The desert sand danced to the
(30:39):
evening winds as a caravan of camels walked in formation
underneath the eastern stars. The camels were arrayed with the
finest materials and ornaments. Riding on their backs were wise
men magi from the south. Three of them rode in
front of the rest, Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar. They were
(31:03):
men of wealth, magic, and education. They were scholars, astronomers,
and alchemists who tracked the stars closely for guidance. They
were fascinated by prophecy of all kinds, particularly that of
the Hebrew text. According to their estimation, the time of
the Messiah was at hand, and when they saw a
(31:26):
new star fixed above the land of Israel, they wasted
no time. They rode for weeks, traveling by night, in
order to follow the new formation of stars. Old scrolls
and prophecies spoke of this star. This star was a sign,
a sign of the new king. Of Israel a sign
(31:46):
of the Messiah. Their men drew closer to Judea, inquiring
about any new happenings from the past year. As they
traveled deeper into the region, whispers of the new king
had emerged. According to rumors, a few lowly shepherds had
been rambling about their encounter with a host of angels
(32:07):
and witnessed the newborn Messiah. The wise men followed the
star and bent their ear to any more rumors among
the city fall.
Speaker 7 (32:16):
If there has been a new king born of the Jews,
would not the current king know of his whereabouts? Bouthazar inquired,
Surely he should be the one we speak to first.
Speaker 5 (32:28):
So the men traveled to the palace of Herod, sitting
governor and king over the Jewish province. Herod was a
clever man, clever enough to remain in the good graces
of the Emperor while maintaining power over the Jewish people.
Herod was a brilliant politician, shrewd as a viper in
(32:49):
the grass. He had a deep lust for power and
taxed the people heavily to maintain his authority over them.
His paranoia knew no Caesar Augustus himself claimed that it
was better to be Herod's pig than his heir. He
would stop at nothing to secure his throne, even murder
(33:11):
his own sons. Word reached Herod that the Magi had
made their way into the city. Since they were men
of wealth and influence, Herod saw this as an ample
opportunity to curry favor with them. Herod had his servants
prepare a decadent meal in their honor. He received them
with a procession of music and fine wine. The Magi
(33:34):
were men of means, therefore accustomed to such hospitality. However,
there was a crookedness behind his smile, and they were
not fully trusting of Herod.
Speaker 10 (33:44):
Just yet, my lords, to what do I owe this pleasure?
Speaker 7 (33:49):
Herod asked cordially, where is the new born King of
the Jews.
Speaker 5 (33:53):
The Magi asked, we have.
Speaker 7 (33:54):
Followed the Messiah star and have come to lavish him
with gifts and favor.
Speaker 5 (33:59):
King Herod winced at their words. He had heard rumors
from the shepherds about a new born baby. However, Herod
was the King of the Jews, and he would not
allow a child to cause any sort of disruption to
his rule. Herod composed himself and took a sip of
his wine. Hiding his silent rage. He beckoned for one
(34:21):
of the palace priests, priest tell us, where the Messiah
is prophesied to be born.
Speaker 7 (34:28):
That would be Bethlehem, my lord, the birthplace of David.
Speaker 5 (34:31):
He responded. Herod twitched a smile. He raised his glass
to the wise men.
Speaker 10 (34:37):
There you have it, my lords. Perhaps the rumors are true.
We may have a new king in our country. Glory
to God.
Speaker 5 (34:45):
Herod sipped again from his glass. His eyes betrayed his smile.
The magi could clearly see him wrestling hatred in his bones.
Speaker 10 (34:54):
Should you find the child in Bethlehem? I would very
much like to know where he is so that I
might worship him. Of course, please, if these words are true,
send words back to me.
Speaker 5 (35:06):
The three men bowed, thanking Herod for his hospitality. Herod
watched them leave with a smile. As the doors closed,
his smile turned quickly into a scowl. Messiah or not,
Herod whispered, No man, woman or child shall destroy what
I have built. Herod's eyes reflected an ancient evil, an
(35:32):
evil once worn by the face of Pharaoh. He threw
his cup against the wall and called for his guard.
Speaker 10 (35:39):
Bring me the head of every boy under the age
of two. Spare no one, including those who would disobey
my orders.
Speaker 5 (35:47):
He sat back on his throne, stewing in his own paranoia.
Speaker 2 (35:52):
I shall not be undone by an infant.
Speaker 5 (35:55):
Herod said to himself, tending to the baby, while Joseph
tended to the fire. It was getting late and the
three of them were beginning to wind down for a
good night's rest. The air was cool outside, but their
home was filled with warmth and love. Joseph kissed Mary's
forehead and then bent down to kiss Jesus's nose. The
(36:19):
baby cooed, and the couple smiled down at him. Amidst
the madness of raising a baby, there were these small
moments of complete bliss. They prayed to the Lord daily
that he might grant them wisdom to protect and nurture
this precious gift. As the family shared a moment of tenderness,
(36:41):
they heard a pounding at the door. Joseph perked up.
Who could be knocking at this hour? Joseph jested from
Mary to stand back while he slowly approached the door.
The knocking grew louder, and Joseph's heart began to beat faster.
He knew that it was only a matter of time
before he was called to defend his bride and the child.
(37:04):
Joseph grabbed his chisel and placed it securely behind his back.
He opened the door slowly to find three men, dressed
in fine linens and adorned with jewels, waiting behind it.
Speaker 7 (37:16):
We have come to worship the new born king.
Speaker 5 (37:20):
They bowed at one knee. Joseph couldn't believe his eyes.
He looked back at Mary and gestured for her to
come forward with the baby. The wise men entered through
the door. Their expensive robes and shining ornaments looked out
of place in their humble home. However, when the three
(37:41):
men saw Jesus, all status and wealth seemed to disappear.
They fell on their faces and bowed before the child.
Speaker 7 (37:51):
It is an honor our, King Kaspar said, we have
traveled far to see you and bow at your feet.
Speaker 5 (37:58):
Joseph and Mary ex changed looks of amazement. It was
one thing for shepherds to bow at the feet of Jesus,
but these were men of royalty, kings and their own right.
The magi brought in a small chest. In it, the
three gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Unbeknownst to the wise men,
(38:23):
these gifts would represent the royalty, divinity, and death of Christ.
In these offerings were hidden secrets to the life and
death of God's chosen king. The gold represented Christ's royalty
and heavenly inheritance. The frankincense represented his divinity as it
(38:45):
was often offered up in temples, and the murrh represented
his death for it was often used during burial. This
interaction between Jesus and the magi revealed more of who
Jesus truly was. He was God himself, humbled to the
point of becoming a child. After giving the gifts, the
(39:09):
men said good bye and returned to their home. As
they were leaving, they considered sending word to Herod. However,
God clearly gave them discernment against it, for they could
see the jealousy pressed deep down in his heart, ready
to overflow at a moment's notice. As the men departed,
Joseph and Mary retreated their bed. Joseph watched Jesus sleep
(39:33):
in Mary's arms until his eyes grew heavy and eventually
fell into a deep slumber.
Speaker 10 (39:40):
Run Joseph, the voice said flee now to Egypt.
Speaker 5 (39:47):
It yelled again. Joseph awoke in a sweat, looking around
for the voice. Sweat dripped down his head and back.
He was panting frantically. He looked round the room again,
then at his wife beside him. The child was still
resting in her arms.
Speaker 8 (40:03):
Was it a dream, he thought.
Speaker 5 (40:06):
Joseph got up from the bed and looked out the door.
The city in the distance was illuminated by flames, and
Joseph could hear the faint cries of children and frantic mothers.
Joseph knew in his bones something was wrong, and the
voice he heard was warning him. This is what he
was called to do. This is why God chose him
(40:29):
to protect Mary and protect the child. Joseph gathered up
all their belongings and loaded them up on the donkey.
Then gently Joseph picked up his wife and the infant
in his arms. He rested them softly on the donkey
and then led them through the city streets towards the countryside.
(40:50):
Smoke was rising and getting closer. The sound of painful
screams and wails grew louder. They were disturbing breaking guards
spread across the nearby cities in Judea, ripping babies out
of their mother's arms. The streets ran red with infant blood,
(41:11):
and the Lord wept over Herod's cruelty. Mary held Jesus
closely underneath her club so he would remain hidden, while
Joseph led them through the streets with the donkey in
one hand and chisel in another. Mary gasped as they
turned the corner to find a guard dragging a child
(41:31):
out of his home and throwing him into a sight.
The mother lunged at the guard to save her child,
only to meet the tip of the god's sword. Joseph
quickly changed course and took them down an alleyway past
the well. The wilderness was in sight, so the three
of them darted towards the woods. The three of them
(41:53):
ran away to Egypt. There they found refuge until Herod
met his bitter end. Eventually they would return to Nasareth
with the boy. Jesus would grow in stature, in favor
with people. He would increase in his awareness of who
he was, and take his place as the redeemer and
(42:16):
chosen King.
Speaker 4 (42:22):
Merry Christmas, everyone, even if you are listening to this
at a different time, you can't help but feel a
little bit of that Christmas spirit while listening to this episode.
Most people have heard this story the Star, the Shepherds,
the Manger, and the Magi. We've experienced this story throughout
several different mediums, but that doesn't mean we can still
(42:43):
extract fresh and impactful truth from it. The prelude is
a good place to begin, since it sets everything in
motion for our story to occur. The prelude highlighted the
origin of Caesar Augustus. His rise to power was filled
with drama, scandal, bloodshed, and glory. After consolidating power in Rome,
Caesar transformed himself from a king to an emperor, then
(43:06):
from an emperor to a god. He became the prevailing
god of the age, worshiped by many. Temples were erected
to his glory, and followers were incredibly devoted. This episode
said it well, let's listen. The Roman senate was reduced
to nothing, and Augustus rose from above the title of
emperor and was now revered as a god himself. Augusta
(43:28):
exalted himself and demanded reverence not just as a great leader,
but as a deity. His soldiers were no longer mere soldiers,
but devoted followers. His governors were no longer distributors of order,
but priests. All of them bowed down at the altar
of a false lord. Let's pause together for a moment
and consider the contrast between the rise of Caesar and
(43:51):
the rise of Christ. The two stories are fundamentally different.
While Caesar conquered, Christ served while Caesar fought his way
to pro dominence, Jesus arrived in humidity. The contrast between
Caesar and Christ highlights the difference between the kingdom of
the world and the Kingdom of Heaven. The kingdoms of
the world are about status, power, and greed. The Kingdom
(44:14):
of Heaven is about service, humidity, and grace. This episode
is not just a description about a hero with humble beginnings.
It is a charge for us to consider true greatness
in the eyes of God. In Matthew twenty, Jesus tells
us about true greatness. He says, you know that the
rulers of this world lord their power over the people,
(44:35):
and the officials flaught their authority over those under them.
But among you it must be different. Whoever wants to
be great among you must be your servant, and whoever
wants to be first among you must become your slave.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served,
but to serve others, and to give his life as
a ransom for many. Mary and Joseph were truly great
(44:57):
in this episode. They embodied the essence of Matthew twenty
by serving one another and sacrificing their comforts for the
sake of Christ. The census could not have come at
a worse time, since Mary was in the final weeks
of her pregnancy. They were compelled to go by law
and had to endure a treacherous journey. However, at the
(45:17):
end of it all, Christ was born, as it was prophesied,
lying in a manger in the city of David. The
hand of God was moving in the midst of the struggle.
You never know when incovenient task or hard seasons of
life are actually providential, so it is best to endure
them with all joy. Marry and Joseph are wonderful examples
(45:40):
of endurance and joy. Since Joseph will not be mentioned
much more in our story, let's give him some love here.
Joseph was given a very daunting task. It was his
responsibility to protect Mary and Jesus at all costs and
we see in this episode that he was constantly on
high alert. He took his callings seriously, never demanding anything
(46:02):
in return. We can all learn quite a bit from Joseph,
who silently served his wife without any need for recognition.
There seemed to be a lot of things working against
them in this episode. The journey from Nazus to Bethlehem
was a struggle. The city was crowded, and there was
no help from their relatives. This is one of the
hidden details that we can find in between the lines
(46:25):
of scripture. Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, where all
of their kinsmen also had to travel. Yet somehow they
were alone and without any help. Perhaps the scandalous nature
of marriage pregnancy made them outcasts among their own people.
Later on in Jesus's life, some of the religious leaders
mocked the mysterious nature of his birth, insinuating that he
(46:47):
didn't know who his real father was. Jesus wasn't just
born in the humble circumstances, he was born in the
scandalous circumstances. Sometimes people aren't going to understand you. They
will make assumptions of the way you live or the
choices you make. But in the end, what matters most
is your relationship with God. Confidence in him will give
(47:08):
you the strength to endure the rejection of others. After
a dramatic effort by Joseph to get married somewhere to rest,
the couple is finally brought to a small cave etched
into the side of a hill behind the end. Most
likely the cave was home to sheep, goats, and possible donkeys.
Mary labored for hours, enduring pain for the sake of
(47:28):
her son's life. For those of you who have experienced
the joy and struggle of childbirth, you may understand on
a greater level what I'm about to share. A woman's
labor and childbirth is one of the greatest examples we
have of the Gospel. A woman endures an intense amount
of pain and suffering so the child might be brought
into life. This is what Jesus did for us. He
(47:51):
endured pain and suffering so we can experience being born again.
The story teased this concept when it said Mary willingly
laid down her own comfort so that this child may
experience life. Mary did not know at the time, but
the son she was about to birth would one day
endure all his own pain for the sake of others.
(48:12):
After the birth of Christ, he was visited by shepherds.
If you listen to our series throughout the life of David,
you will already have insight into the significance of shepherds
in the Bible. God chose the lowly shepherds of the
fields to be the first to worship God's son. This
is the foreshadowing of Christ's life, since he will be
the good shepherd to tend to the flock of Israel.
(48:34):
After the shepherds, The next person to interact with Jesus
was Simeon. He foretold, prophesied over the child and gave
a foreboding warning. Be warned, my child. This baby is
destined to make many fall and rise. Nations will be
built on his shoulders, and many will stumble because of him.
He will expose the deep darkness of the heart and
(48:55):
restore light to those who love him. However, many will
seek his life, and a soul Lord will cut straight
through your very soul at the sight of it. Simeon's
words are a foreshadowing of things to come. The influence
of Jesus is felt more palpable today than it was
back then. Many nations have risen because of him, and
many nations have fallen because of him. Many people have
(49:17):
come to the light because of him, and many people
that scurried back into darkness because of him. We all
feel the power of Jesus's name, whether we worship it
or not. Mary is also given a warning from Simeon.
He warns her that a sword will cut straight through
her soul. She would have to watch her baby boy
be mocked and crucified. The final people to see Jesus
(49:39):
in this story are the wise Men. Now, there is
no possible way for us to know how many magi
there actually were. Most stories portray three because there were
three gifts, but it could have been dozen. Later tellings
of the story in church history identify the magi by
name and even identify their lands of origin Moultro from Persia,
(50:01):
Gasper from India, and balth the Czar from Arabia. Their
speculation in these men, but the literary significance of the
gifts is what is most important. The magi gave three
gifts to Jesus, who was most likely between the ages
of one and two at this time, Gold, Franknstance, and
mir The story gave us wonderful insight into the meaning
(50:23):
behind these gifts. Unknownst to the wise men, these gifts
would represent the royalty, divinity, and death of Christ, and
these offerings were hidden secrets to the life and death
of God's chosen king. The gold represents Christ's royalty and
heavenly inheritance. The frank instance represented his divinity as it
is often offered up in temples, and the mirv represented
(50:46):
his death, for it was often used doing burial. This
interaction between Jesus and the magi revealed more of who
Jesus truly was. He was God himself, humbled to the
point of becoming a child. The beginning of Christ's story
foreshadows his entire life. He will rule as a king,
bringing God's kingdom to earth. He will reveal himself to
(51:06):
be God himself, creator and sustainer of life. He will
die as a sacrificial lamb, taking away the sins of humanity.
The beginning of Jesus's life showed us the entirety of
his life. Now we can look at the rest of
his story through the lens of his royalty, divinity, and humility.
In our next episode, Jesus' ministry begins join us for
(51:29):
episode four, This is My Son. Thank you for listening.
For more inspiring stories, daily prayers, and wisdom to last
a lifetime, go to pray dot com. Share this podcast
with a family member or friend so they can know
Jesus Christ in a personal way. You never know how
great of an impact the Bible and this podcast can
(51:51):
have on someone's life. God bless
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