910AFC031309
In the account of our Lord’s life, the first question that came up about His life is …
“Where is He?”
The questioners: (Matthew 2:1-2) 1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”
The Answer and the follow-up:
In the Manger – Incarnate (Luke 2:15-16) 15 When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
On the Cross – Dying (Rom. 5:8) But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. (Philippians 2:5c-8) Christ Jesus, 6 Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 7 Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, 8 he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.
On His Throne – Exalted (Acts 5:31) God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. (Philippians 2:9b-11) God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
In our hearts – Invited and Fulfilling (Rev 3:20) Look! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me. (Ephesians 3:14-19) 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge or understanding, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. (Colossians 3:16) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. (1 Peter 3:15) “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” (Isa. 55:6-7)
Not as far away as we think! (Acts 17:24-27) 24 The God who made the world and all that is in it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, 25 nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything. Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything. 26 He made from one the whole human race to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions, 27 so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us.
So, Beloved, this week turn around and look for Him. He is there to receive your alms, to share your fasting; to hear your prayer, and to intercede with you; to turn with you toward His – and your – Abba in adoration, thanksgiving, and praise; and to walk with you through your small desert as you seek Him.
Look! He is there in the neighbor with the barking dog, the child who cries constantly, the hungry, the homeless, the politician, the poor and outcast, the widowed and orphaned, the pastor and the parishioners, the saint who lives on your block, the suffering, the dying, the prisoners, and all who seek Him with sincere hearts. He is Emmanuel – God with us – the Promised of Ages. Now is the time. This is the place. He is the One. Chase Him until he catches you!!
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever and with Him, in Him, and through Him forever — at your service
chick
910AFC031309
In the account of our Lord’s life, the first question that came up about His life is …
“Where is He?”
The questioners: (Matthew 2:1-2) 1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”
The Answer and the follow-up:
In the Manger – Incarnate (Luke 2:15-16) 15 When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
On the Cross – Dying (Rom. 5:8) But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. (Philippians 2:5c-8) Christ Jesus, 6 Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 7 Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, 8 he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.
On His Throne – Exalted (Acts 5:31) God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. (Philippians 2:9b-11) God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
In our hearts – Invited and Fulfilling (Rev 3:20) Look! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me. (Ephesians 3:14-19) 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge or understanding, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. (Colossians 3:16) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. (1 Peter 3:15) “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” (Isa. 55:6-7)
Not as far away as we think! (Acts 17:24-27) 24 The God who made the world and all that is in it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, 25 nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything. Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything. 26 He made from one the whole human race to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions, 27 so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us.
So, Beloved, this week turn around and look for Him. He is there to receive your alms, to share your fasting; to hear your prayer, and to intercede with you; to turn with you toward His – and your – Abba in adoration, thanksgiving, and praise; and to walk with you through your small desert as you seek Him.
Look! He is there in the neighbor with the barking dog, the child who cries constantly, the hungry, the homeless, the politician, the poor and outcast, the widowed and orphaned, the pastor and the parishioners, the saint who lives on your block, the suffering, the dying, the prisoners, and all who seek Him with sincere hearts. He is Emmanuel – God with us – the Promised of Ages. Now is the time. This is the place. He is the One. Chase Him until he catches you!!
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever and with Him, in Him, and through Him forever — at your service
chick
About Chick Todd
American Roman Catholic reared as a "Baptiterian" in Denver Colorado. Now living on Kauaʻi. USAF Vet. Married for over 50 years. Scripture study has been my passion ever since my first "Bible talk" at age 6 in VBS.
