For example, consider Matthew 2:13-15. Wanting his Son removed from imminent danger, God ordered Joseph to Egypt until told to leave. He knew Herod’s rage would blaze into revenge when it became obvious the Wise Men didn’t return to Jerusalem.
Note: Herod felt outflanked by MEN. It never occurred to him that GOD had already defeated his murderous intent. Revelation 12 tells the same story in apocalyptic language. To this day, many people think God is ABSENT from daily life. WRONG. He holds unrepentant humanity accountable for all the wickedness now flourishing in society in the name of tolerance. “Morality be damned, but be sure to be tolerant” is society’s motto. Christians aren’t impressed or intimidated. All opposition to God, whether individual or societal; whether congressional or corporate, will be punished by God. The affliction imposed on the guilty will be appropriate to the sinfulness involved AND to any stubborn refusal to repent when ordered. Consider Luke 2:41-52. Joseph and Mary found 12 year Jesus in the temple. Mary burst into an anguished emotional tirade when she approached him, wondering why he treated them so shabbily. Didn’t he know they would be frantic with worry while searching for him? Unruffled by the outburst, Jesus simply asked, why did they search for him? They should have known he would be in God’s House. Cut the parents some slack. Twelve years of daily life, with seven kids in the household, will buff the shine from any experience. However, understand that parental understanding of Jesus never figured into his plans. FOR, from at least 12 years of age…AT LEAST…the boy had a MAN’S LOVE of GOD. He had already spiritually outgrown his parents. He had already become an interrogator of Jewish scholars. He had already understood his earthly mission. ALL as a 12 year old. Who could calculate what he would BE WHEN A MAN? All of which occurred logically since Jesus already understood that he and God were ONE, in an indivisible unity NO ONE could enter or break. All the references in this series have one theme: Jesus Alone, By Himself, In Company with NO ONE ELSE AT ALL, embodied the meaning and purpose of Christmas as the Only Begotten Son of God! Indeed, all HISTORY is but HIS STORY. Fini
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