Matthew 2:1-5, 11

     You've got to love this story.  What I think makes it great can be summed up in one word, which doesn't happen very often.  Let's cherish this moment.  

       Providence!  Thanks to Omnibus I, I've been looking out for providence in lives and stories for the past couple years.  And providence can be seen so clearly in the story of the wise men!  Even though it's seven weeks past Easter, I think we need to be reminded in this stressful time of God's care for us students... even during the beginnings of exams.  
     I'd like to just make two sub points.  1) God's guidance of the Magi, even through their ignorance(which I certainly have plenty of)    2) God's care through the 3 gifts  
1!  Let's start with the Word. 
"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”³ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:" (here they go on to quote Micah 5:2,4.) - Matthew 2:1-5
   Since that was quite a chunk, here's verse 4 again.  "When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born."   It's been suggested that the Magi or the Persian wise men were knowledgeable in the scriptures, which, for all we know, may be possible.  Whatever the case may be, they still needed a big piece of help(just like we do - remembering information, figuring out how to exhibit it clearly, jumping from point A to point B or just having the strength to continue on).  God faithfully guided them - and this is besides directing the star and compelling them to follow it.  He led them to the right place, to the absolute experts of their time in the Old Testament who foretold the coming King.  God didn't leave them as failures but gave them what they needed to continue on.

2:     "¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." - Matthew 2:11
      These gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh, are what first caused me to stop, about face, and see how clearly and deliberately God had acted.  We know that He will never forsake us but give us what we need to continue on.  Now, through these gifts, we can also see that God works in this world for a reason.  I may not know why I'm studying biology (and really dread memorizing all of it) but God will use it in the future.  You may really despise the main theories of philosophers but God knows exactly when it will help you from being deceived by the lies of this world.  He knows, He plans and He cares for you.  He guides you and will never forsake you, even in the darkest of exams.

Love,
Sarah
 

Acts 10:34-43 - Writing Exercise

One reason that I am thankful for an education that praises Jesus Christ is that we delve into Scripture in all kinds of ways.

This week, we had a quick writing assignment to rewrite a portion of Acts in different modes.  Here's the original text and two examples(It's pretty apparent which writing style I'm better at).   I hope you think a little about the way the Bible was written and how we can convey the Gospel to others through this rich language of ours.

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that fGodgshows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.  As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (lhe is Lord of all),  you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:  how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.  And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.  They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,  but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,  not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.  And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.  To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:34-43, ESV)

God does not have biases. Why would He show prejudice or favor towards one or another? The LORD sent His word to the ends of the earth, to all times. Where was the Truth proclaimed? Jesus spoke of His love through His people through all Galilee concerning the Holy Spirit, the events in Jerusalem and the freedom He brought. What should we do, hearing this ourselves? Nothing but tell of the resurrection on the third day and live knowing this hope. Who orchestrated these great events and ordains all things? Praise our God and Father who cares for His children through the Holy Writ.

Instead of limiting His love to a chosen nation, the Father shows no partiality but gave His Son to all.  Do not live without the fear of God but live in a way that encourages righteousness in your land.  This way, the truth of Jesus Christ can spread through all nations instead of stalling His witness.  No other reason besides the deliverance of saving grace could prompt the Savior to be baptized as a man and deliver freedom to all with His power on the cross.  Instead of being silent, this revelation gave witness to Jews and Gentiles alike, those chosen by God.  He intrusts preaching, commands it, to sinful humans who He fills with His Holy Spirit, not just using His own might, revelation and creation.  Through His name alone, all come to receive that which Jesus does not hide away but gives freely to all - salvation.