Pastor Buddy’s Blog

The Star of Bethlehem…

Filed in Devotions & Studies, General |

Journal,

Yesterday I completed my Old Testament meditations once again. Don’t know how many times I’ve read the Bible through in its entirety, but the same thing happens each time. As I close the book of Malachi, it is like a Godly awe settles on me. I just sit there in quietness. What an amazing book.

My mind goes back to the many prophesies that I’ve read concerning Bethlehem’s child. And I know that when I open the book of Matthew, there I will find God’s Lamb. His brillance will shine forth on every page.

But I’m also reminded of what God said through the prophet Isaiah; “But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My Word.” (Isaiah 66:2)

My prayer remains…

Lord, help me to always be an humble man. And may I never lose my sense of trembling as I hold Your Word in my hands and in my heart. I am filled with wonderment each time I read from Your precious book. You are such an awesome Savior. Thank you for eternal life. In Jesus name. Amen.

Well, what about Bethelem’s child?

Consider these few Old Testament prophecies:

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” (Micah 5:2)

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; a star shall come forth from Jacob, a scepter shall rise from Israel, and shall crush through the forehead of Moab, and tear down all the sons of Sheth.” (Num24:17)

The sages believed the afore prophecy spoke of Messiah. The Aramaic Targum of Onkelos translates it this way:

“I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but he is not near.  When a king shall arise from the house of Jacob, and the Messiah be anointed from the house of Israel; he shall slay the princes of Moab, and rule over all the children of men.”

Thus we read in the gospels:

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” (Mat2:2)

Like the shining Sun…

There are so many more prophecies that I could reference, but let’s get on with the story of Bethelem’s Child.

This morning I opened my Bible to the book of Matthew. I wanted to savor every word. Sure enough, I can’t get past the very first verse, which says, “The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”

I am not being melodramatic when I say that I can read no further. Instantly I see where the very first verse connects Jesus with Abraham’s Lamb, and with David’s Lion. So my thoughts now go to the book of Revelation where we are told that the Lion is the Lamb.

“Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, ‘Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.’ And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.” (Rev5:4-6)

Ok, we see the Lamb that connects with David, what about Abraham’s Lamb. This reaches back to when Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac on the mountains of Moriah. As they are going up the mountain, Isaac says, “My father … behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

Listen carefully to Abraham’s reply — “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burn’t offering, my son.” (Gen22:7,8)

There is something very important here that we don’t want to miss. Both the Hebrews Name Version and the Jewish Publication Society Bible says that God will provide Himself the lamb.  

A troublesome text…

Was Abraham prophesying? Seems likely. No matter how we look at Abraham’s statement, the Lamb will somehow be so closely related to God that it could be said the sacrifice would be the God-Lamb.

What has made this text so troublesome to Jewish theologians is the fact that God commanded Abraham to make a human sacrifice, which was totally against the law of Moses. But Christians know the reason. Abraham was acting out the drama of heaven. Isaac represented Jesus Christ.

Guess I need to slack off a bit. There is so much more to be said about Bethelem’s Child. Perhaps the apostle John gave the best summary, when he wrote, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.” (John 21:25_

Is He here…

All over this great nation of ours there are Christmas parades, and more parades, and parades galore. Well Pineville had one awesome parade last evening. Don’t know how many thousands of people were there, but they stretched all the way down Main Street.

Christian Challenge had a trailer float with a projector screen that showed segments of the life of Christ, from the womb to the tomb. Each time the words read, ‘He is not here.’ The final screen ask the question, ‘Is He here?’ This was where Christian Challenge showed the heart, and made the invitation to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

What an experience. The trailer had bales of hay with folk sitting on each side, throwing out candy. We also had several walkers to make sure none of the crowd ventured too close. I rode in the truck.

There were two things that stirred my heart deeply. One was while looking on the faces of the crowd, I could not help but wonder where they were with the Lord. But there were plenty of smiles. And as the people looked at our projection screen you could see expressions of recognition and of reverence.

The other thing that stirred me deeply was when various people would hug my neck and tell me of their prayers. Most of this took place while we were waiting for the parade to begin. But there was a gentleman who walked right over to the truck while we were moving, reached his arms in the cab and hugged me. Told me how much he loved me.

When the chips are down, God’s people rally around…

The word was out about my being healed of cancer. And what thrilled me the most was when people from different denominations would express their love to me and tell me of their prayers. I had Catholics, Baptist, Charismatics, Methodists, Pentecostals, and people of a number of persuasions tell me how their church had been praying for me.

Isn’t that simply awesome. Seems the love of Jesus in our hearts refuses to be hemmed in by denominational labels. Yep, when the chips are down, God’s people do rally around.

All I can say is ‘Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem, shine on!’

I have loved that song since a child. 

Ok, I found it. Of course its country. What did you expect…

You’ll need to wade through a compilation of pictures. You’ll find the ones that you like.  :)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_q2a2DAY_Ho&feature=related 

Here are the words…

O beautiful star of Bethlehem
Shining far through shadows dim
Giving the light for those who long have gone
Guiding the wise men on their way
Unto the place where Jesus lay
O beautiful star of Bethlehem
Shine on

O beautiful star the hope of life
Guiding the pilgrims through the night
Over the mountains ’til the break of dawn
Into the land of perfect day
It will give out a lovely ray
O beautiful star of Bethlehem
Shine on

O beautiful star of Bethlehem
Shine upon us until the glory dawns
Give us a lamp to light the way
Unto the land of perfect day
O beautiful star of Bethlehem
Shine on

O beautiful star the hope of grace
For the redeemed, the good and the blessed
Yonder in glory when the crown is won
Jesus is now the star divine
Brighter and brighter He will shine
O beautiful star of Bethlehem
Shine on

O beautiful star of Bethlehem
Shine upon us until the glory dawns
Give us a lamp to light the way
Unto the land of perfect day
O beautiful star of Bethlehem
Shine on

O beautiful star of Bethlehem
Shine on

Well, I’d better quit. Don’t want to write a novel.   : )

Much love coming your way.

Buddy