King James Version, with Nii Okai's journal notes · 23 notes
1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
What an annoying decree that must have been.
When we were kids we were told it was a census, and rightly so, but we were never told or explained to us the tax bit.
But to ask everyone to undertake such a journey and leave all engagements only to be taxed.
But who could do otherwise, seeing they were a colony and Rome was the superpower then.
2( And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; ( because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Such a shame, carrying this Mary around. He was likely mocked as a fool.
Only he knew what the Lord had spoken to him. It was etched in his heart... O, this walk of faith.
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
This verse so simply said — "there was no room for them in the inn" — carries with it such depth.
Imagine the pain and difficulty of traveling with a wife who is full and is due. The nights of pre-labour and labour pains.
The search 🔎 for an inn whiles she screamed 😱 in pain.
The need for a midwife or other women to help.
To finally settle in a manger, likely a sheep or cow 🐮 shed. There was no room, and no one was willing to sacrifice their place for this woman in labour pains.
The innkeepers were not ready to have blood in their beautiful rooms, too much work etc., coupled with a woman screaming in pain to disturb their guests.
For Mary to deliver into a manger really suggests the baby was literally coming and some place, any place at all, needed to be found.
So in the heat of things she was rushed to the animal shed.
Not to mention the spiritual implications. The devil 👿 doing his best and throwing his worst arsenals to hinder the birth of this child 🧒 who was to be saviour.
Not just her son but her FIRST born son, meaning she was to have others or had others after.
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Good tidings, the gospel, the good news 📰 to all people.
And yet there were some others in pain and discomfort to bring the good news.
Mary just delivered this bundle of joy in extraordinary circumstances. The king 👑 of the time was going to come for their heads and bring such never-to-be-forgotten misery upon them and others.
Oh, what it takes to bring good news. But it does not take away the goodness of the news 📰, and the angels knew this.
Lesson: do not let your joy be stolen and the goodness of a moment be taken away because of suffering and pain that birthed it.
Just as we love and cherish our babies 🤱 despite the pain of birth. So also, because of the reward ahead, we forsake the pain.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
The symbol of their pain, their scars, was the sign of their glory.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Where was the midwife??
They found — only God knows how long they might have searched.
Mary takes precedence over Joseph — why is that?
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Matters of the heart are as deep waters.
Mary kept all these in her heart? How about Joseph? Is something being communicated to us here subtly? Later in the story Joseph completely disappears.
We are not even told when he did. If he died, at least it should have been mentioned. I mean, who would not want to be actively involved and give their all for a wonderful child like Jesus?
His absence in the gospels without sufficient evidence is quite deafening.
Did he boycott the family later — did he become aloof and estranged from the whole process later? If so, why was mention not made of it?
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Where were all these people when Jesus began his public relations ministry? I just wonder.
Let's imagine these were young teenage shepherds... Isn't it amazing how God uses young people, just like David, a shepherd boy, yet anointed king 👑.
Whiles all these were going on, Israel 🇮🇱 was asleep, oblivious to that which was taking place and about to change their future. I say this of both David ✡ anointed as king 👑 and Jesus born in a manger.
Oh Lord, even as an adult use me, and let me not be oblivious to your move of the future among the youth.
Now let's fast forward 33 years, when Jesus was at the peak of his ministry. These were in their 50s.
They had waited 30 long years. Had they closed 🔐 their hearts 💕 long ago because they awaited the military ⚔ style salvation of Jesus, and no signs of that had taken place?
Maybe they were even nonchalant to Jesus' ministry, or could not place the link that this was the same manger boy.
Jesus did not go telling his story of being the manger boy.
Indeed, he did hide himself many times so he wasn't made a ruler of the people.
He was a lamb. It is this part of the mystery of God as a lamb 🐑 that might have eluded all these eye 👁🗨 witnesses of his birth.
I'm sure these early witnesses, after waiting for years for the salvation of Israel, began to question 🙋 their experiences and when these things they so vividly saw would come to pass.
Their experience was too real to be denied, yet its fulfillment being delayed was also too real to deny.
If this boy was the Messiah, why no show after 30 years?
Then now they hear of rumors and probably were touched by Jesus's ministry.
Now he too dies and no show. Most of the witnesses at this stage, except the younger ones, were dead or dying.
I guess some of the early witnesses, like Jesus' own mother, stayed close enough and followed through in faith till they saw the glory of his son and his resurrection. She had no choice.
But the others, did they? Maybe life happened to them.
Now here comes faith... The faith of the people who would hold on to God.
The faith of Abraham, who died yet believing in the city he did not see in this life but had seen with his spirit... 👻
This is the faith we are called to... Seeing in the spirit is enough because the spirit is a real world 🗺.
A world 🗺 which cannot be negated by the happenings or otherwise of our material & physical world 🗺.
So let's hold on to God and his prompting in the spirit.
Now over 2000 years, and that which seemed as no show in the first eyewitnesses of the salvation of the Lord is no news in our days.
Who doesn't know Jesus or his name or claim of deity?
It has worked according to the word of the Lord.
The fathers of faith have prevailed in the world. Though dead, their faith has provided the evidence of things not seen 👀 👀.
21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23( As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Ah, another man of faith, another man of the Spirit... Who believes what he has seen, not with his 👀 eyes but with his heart ♥ — the eyes 👀 of faith.
26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Oh, so though Elijah, Malachi, Zechariah and others had died, there were prophets still moved by the Spirit.
We may not have their books, but nonetheless they were there...
27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Ah, I'm edging closer; I see the error of John. He was offended at the methods of Jesus.
He was not necessarily doing anything majestic. Nothing really kingly for a Messiah and leader of the chosen race.
For one who was a light to the Gentiles and who would draw all men to national Israel 🇮🇱, hanging around the poor, sick, lame etc. alone did not quite fit it.
So Jesus says, tell John what you see and hear, and tell him that blessed is he who is not offended in me, my ways and my methods.
33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
They wondered how these things would be, seeing they were just some poor folks and nowhere near the current political and ruling class.
This was confirmation upon confirmation — I can imagine how exciting yet humbling the experience might have been for this poor couple.
First the strange pregnancy of his betrothed wife, then the angelic visitation and Joseph's own dream, and now external parties start confirming the word of the LORD.
And now this — I'm sure they wondered what next, and truly what manner of child Jesus was.
34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35( Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Hmmm 😢
36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
This same Passover was to become a routine even in his adult years and ultimately culminate in his death ☠
42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
What did he eat, what did he drink, how did he survive?
As I pen down these thoughts, I am reminded of His own words decades later, that worry not over what you will eat or drink or wear, for the Father knows you need all these.
But we are to seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all others shall be added unto us.
Hmmm🤔
47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
At this age he knew.
I wonder, when did he know he was the son of God?
From Mary and Joseph's reaction, they were surprised at his words.
Meaning they hadn't been pumping it to him that he was the son of God and that he was the redeemer etc.
If they had, they would not have been surprised that he was saying this.
This statement and voice does not sound like the voice of a twelve-year-old 🧓.
It sounds like a full-grown man. 🤔.
An aside... Again I ask, where were all these teachers who were astonished 😲 at his wisdom?
Did they die before his fame spread?
50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.