Larry Lilly's Journal December 2016 Vol 18 Issue 12
Musing on The Incarnartion Revealed in a Manger! Larry Lilly D.D.
Larry & Joyce
Musings on the Christmas Mystery
Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21 "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."
With the hustle and bustle of the ‘Christmas Season” there’s not a lot time left for a Jesus niche. He gets worked in here and a little there. Yet the Bible shares with us the wonder, the mystery of God the Son taking on human nature and living in such a hovel for 33 years. The song writer, Dottie Rambo expressed this in her song, “If That Isn’t Love.” One verse has it, “He left the splendor of heaven knowing His destiny was the lonely hill of Golgotha there to lay down His life for me.” The greatest minds of Christendom have wrestled with adequate words in vain attempts to bring the rest of us to a full understanding of just what happened. Thankfully the Bible makes clear the reason, the redemption of the race that fell through our progenitor’s sin, thus passing the sin principle to every human who ever lived. Thus, salvation, a transfer if you will from Adams race into the linage of the spiritual via being placed into Jesus Christ as children of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Talk about a free Christmas gift.
Please get me right, I am not against any sort of celebration marking the Incarnation. I get a little peeved at putting Jolly Ole St. Nick, on a par with Jesus Christ. The difference is dramatic. I do rejoice in children, and even our puppies as the grandkids open a mountain of gifts, and the puppies get to play around in the wrappings.
I love to see dramatic presentations of biblical stories concerning the birth of Jesus. The Wise men have long intrigued me. They were among the few people in those days who honored Jesus with gifts rather than treating Him as a celestial Santa Claus to dole out gifts, or even lumps of coal having overworked tiny Reindeer flying from the North Pole all around the world in one night. The Wise Men, a very rare type of men, according to Joyce, learned that Christ was born and where, via their understanding that the heavens were the handiwork of the Child whom they sought and honored. These men demonstrated a trust in God’s Creation and His Word as witnessed by the explanation given to the bestial Herod. Wise men, to this very day, know the value of being led along life’s path by the Word of God.
From the brief account of the Wise men we learn the truth of Creation, the reality of The Incarnation, the veracity of God’s Word, Old Testament and New, as well as the personal attention God pays to the direction and instruction along the journey. Isn’t the season we term Christmas a grand time to reiterate these ancient truths?
The account of the shepherds watching their flock by night has provoked thought since before I was saved by faith in Jesus. When I was a child even reprobate families would read (if they could read) the story of the shepherds. I often wondered, why? In later years the answer to why, dawned on me. The shepherds at the time of Christ were considered on the fringe of humanity by many and by others to be totally outcasts. Note this from Dr. Joachim Jeremias from Randy Alcorn in Shepherds Status.
“Shepherds were “despised in everyday life.” In general, they were considered second-class and untrustworthy. Shepherding had not just lost its widespread appeal; it eventually forfeited its social acceptability. Some shepherds earned their poor reputations, but others became victims of a cruel stereotype. The religious leaders maligned the shepherd’s good name; rabbis banned pasturing sheep and goats in Israel, except on desert plains.
The Mishnah, Judaism’s written record of the oral law, also reflects this prejudice, referring to shepherds in belittling terms. One passage describes them as “incompetent”; another says no one should ever feel obligated to rescue a shepherd who has fallen into a pit. Jeremias documents the fact that shepherds were deprived of all civil rights. They could not fulfill judicial offices or be admitted in court as witnesses. He wrote, “To buy wool, milk or a kid from a shepherd was forbidden on the assumption that it would be stolen property.” In Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus, Jeremias notes: “The rabbis ask with amazement how, in view of the despicable nature of shepherds, one can explain why God was called ‘my shepherd’ in Psalm 23:1.”**
Having never been Jewish, but knowing more than I care too about being “outcast” from a child and in some circles, an “outcast” clergyman, I am drawn to the shepherd. Note that God sent a star to the Wise Men, but he sent a Band of Angels to announce Messiah to the outcasts of Israel. The nation had drifted far from the occupation of the Patriarchs, the Founding Fathers of their nation. Yet, God in his love for the disenfranchised, made doubly sure that His Only Son was available to men and women on societies lowest rung.
It is worth noting that the Shepherds left the stable and told the story to others. The appearance to the shepherds is recorded in Luke 2:8-18 and worth your time read again. It’s also interesting the first people mentioned telling about Jesus are shepherds and in Acts 4:13 we learn that the religious society referred to the Disciples as “Unlearned and Ignorant” in modern terms, “Deplorable.” Yet God used them to turn the world upside down. Christmas, the time when we of the unwashed masses celebrate the incarnation is a wonderful time of the year.
The conversation between Joseph and the Angel is gripping beyond belief, as Joseph was told the primary purpose of the Son soon to burst forth from Mary’s womb is Messiah and His purpose is to save his people from their sins and to be with them. (Emmanuel, God with us).
Has the immensity of truth so far dawned on you that God is taking caring our greatest need, being save, and therefore all lesser needs are in the package, a primary one being knowing that no matter how tough life may become, no matter the intensity of the storm, the darker the night, He is with us! When income is eaten away by financial moths, when loved ones walk out, when trusted friends betray us, and when death chilling waters sweep away a dearly loved one, Jesus is with us. Emmanuel, He is with me! Even when the tears brought about through my own failures or just plain circumstances, He is with me!
The first two things promised by the Angel of the Lord, deliverance from sin, and comfort along life’s road!
Gifted author Taylor Caldwell wrote concerning Christmas: “Don't let the past steal your present. This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone.”
Emmanuel is with us, therefore the feeling of alone is illusion, for the Lord keeps His word, whether we “feel” it or not. We can learn to trust instead of relying on feeling and enjoy the beauty of living, especially at Christ time!
I hope you will trust Christ just as the Philippian Jailor did in the long ago, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!" Acts 16:31. LML
****
Concerning an appropriate gift John Bisagno wrote:
“An appropriate gift must meet the needs of the recipient. We needed someone who could walk where we walked, understand our rejection or embarrassment over our sins, and do something about it. We needed someone who could give us the power to overcome sin. We needed a friend who sticks closer than a brother and who could hurt as we hurt.God’s gift fits!” Holiday Sermons.
***
A Grandmother sent a thimble to her granddaughter for Christmas. After a while the girl wrote: Dear Grandmother, Thank you so much for the thimble. It’s just what I have always wanted, but not much.”**
Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21 "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."
With the hustle and bustle of the ‘Christmas Season” there’s not a lot time left for a Jesus niche. He gets worked in here and a little there. Yet the Bible shares with us the wonder, the mystery of God the Son taking on human nature and living in such a hovel for 33 years. The song writer, Dottie Rambo expressed this in her song, “If That Isn’t Love.” One verse has it, “He left the splendor of heaven knowing His destiny was the lonely hill of Golgotha there to lay down His life for me.” The greatest minds of Christendom have wrestled with adequate words in vain attempts to bring the rest of us to a full understanding of just what happened. Thankfully the Bible makes clear the reason, the redemption of the race that fell through our progenitor’s sin, thus passing the sin principle to every human who ever lived. Thus, salvation, a transfer if you will from Adams race into the linage of the spiritual via being placed into Jesus Christ as children of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Talk about a free Christmas gift.
Please get me right, I am not against any sort of celebration marking the Incarnation. I get a little peeved at putting Jolly Ole St. Nick, on a par with Jesus Christ. The difference is dramatic. I do rejoice in children, and even our puppies as the grandkids open a mountain of gifts, and the puppies get to play around in the wrappings.
I love to see dramatic presentations of biblical stories concerning the birth of Jesus. The Wise men have long intrigued me. They were among the few people in those days who honored Jesus with gifts rather than treating Him as a celestial Santa Claus to dole out gifts, or even lumps of coal having overworked tiny Reindeer flying from the North Pole all around the world in one night. The Wise Men, a very rare type of men, according to Joyce, learned that Christ was born and where, via their understanding that the heavens were the handiwork of the Child whom they sought and honored. These men demonstrated a trust in God’s Creation and His Word as witnessed by the explanation given to the bestial Herod. Wise men, to this very day, know the value of being led along life’s path by the Word of God.
From the brief account of the Wise men we learn the truth of Creation, the reality of The Incarnation, the veracity of God’s Word, Old Testament and New, as well as the personal attention God pays to the direction and instruction along the journey. Isn’t the season we term Christmas a grand time to reiterate these ancient truths?
The account of the shepherds watching their flock by night has provoked thought since before I was saved by faith in Jesus. When I was a child even reprobate families would read (if they could read) the story of the shepherds. I often wondered, why? In later years the answer to why, dawned on me. The shepherds at the time of Christ were considered on the fringe of humanity by many and by others to be totally outcasts. Note this from Dr. Joachim Jeremias from Randy Alcorn in Shepherds Status.
“Shepherds were “despised in everyday life.” In general, they were considered second-class and untrustworthy. Shepherding had not just lost its widespread appeal; it eventually forfeited its social acceptability. Some shepherds earned their poor reputations, but others became victims of a cruel stereotype. The religious leaders maligned the shepherd’s good name; rabbis banned pasturing sheep and goats in Israel, except on desert plains.
The Mishnah, Judaism’s written record of the oral law, also reflects this prejudice, referring to shepherds in belittling terms. One passage describes them as “incompetent”; another says no one should ever feel obligated to rescue a shepherd who has fallen into a pit. Jeremias documents the fact that shepherds were deprived of all civil rights. They could not fulfill judicial offices or be admitted in court as witnesses. He wrote, “To buy wool, milk or a kid from a shepherd was forbidden on the assumption that it would be stolen property.” In Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus, Jeremias notes: “The rabbis ask with amazement how, in view of the despicable nature of shepherds, one can explain why God was called ‘my shepherd’ in Psalm 23:1.”**
Having never been Jewish, but knowing more than I care too about being “outcast” from a child and in some circles, an “outcast” clergyman, I am drawn to the shepherd. Note that God sent a star to the Wise Men, but he sent a Band of Angels to announce Messiah to the outcasts of Israel. The nation had drifted far from the occupation of the Patriarchs, the Founding Fathers of their nation. Yet, God in his love for the disenfranchised, made doubly sure that His Only Son was available to men and women on societies lowest rung.
It is worth noting that the Shepherds left the stable and told the story to others. The appearance to the shepherds is recorded in Luke 2:8-18 and worth your time read again. It’s also interesting the first people mentioned telling about Jesus are shepherds and in Acts 4:13 we learn that the religious society referred to the Disciples as “Unlearned and Ignorant” in modern terms, “Deplorable.” Yet God used them to turn the world upside down. Christmas, the time when we of the unwashed masses celebrate the incarnation is a wonderful time of the year.
The conversation between Joseph and the Angel is gripping beyond belief, as Joseph was told the primary purpose of the Son soon to burst forth from Mary’s womb is Messiah and His purpose is to save his people from their sins and to be with them. (Emmanuel, God with us).
Has the immensity of truth so far dawned on you that God is taking caring our greatest need, being save, and therefore all lesser needs are in the package, a primary one being knowing that no matter how tough life may become, no matter the intensity of the storm, the darker the night, He is with us! When income is eaten away by financial moths, when loved ones walk out, when trusted friends betray us, and when death chilling waters sweep away a dearly loved one, Jesus is with us. Emmanuel, He is with me! Even when the tears brought about through my own failures or just plain circumstances, He is with me!
The first two things promised by the Angel of the Lord, deliverance from sin, and comfort along life’s road!
Gifted author Taylor Caldwell wrote concerning Christmas: “Don't let the past steal your present. This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone.”
Emmanuel is with us, therefore the feeling of alone is illusion, for the Lord keeps His word, whether we “feel” it or not. We can learn to trust instead of relying on feeling and enjoy the beauty of living, especially at Christ time!
I hope you will trust Christ just as the Philippian Jailor did in the long ago, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!" Acts 16:31. LML
****
Concerning an appropriate gift John Bisagno wrote:
“An appropriate gift must meet the needs of the recipient. We needed someone who could walk where we walked, understand our rejection or embarrassment over our sins, and do something about it. We needed someone who could give us the power to overcome sin. We needed a friend who sticks closer than a brother and who could hurt as we hurt.God’s gift fits!” Holiday Sermons.
***
A Grandmother sent a thimble to her granddaughter for Christmas. After a while the girl wrote: Dear Grandmother, Thank you so much for the thimble. It’s just what I have always wanted, but not much.”**
Letters & Comments
Hi Larry & Joyce,
Hope all is well with you. I went with my church to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY. It you have not gone I would encourage you to do so. The feeling of awe & greatness that we are on this side of the flood and in the safety of our great Lord and Savior Jesus Christ brings tears of joy for us and tears of sorrow for those who do not know Him. It encourages me to keep pressing on telling as many as will listen of the great salvation available to them. So, don’t quit! Keep going and keep looking up for that blessed hope.
Love and prayers, B.M.
Editor’s Note: Barb could write a book on this from Amazing Grace, “through many dangers, toils and snares she has already come. Tis grace has brought her safe thus far and grace will lead her home!” I am thankful for this sister who has faithfully supported this ministry over long years. She is a member of Prayer Warriors and takes the work seriously. PTL.
Dear Brother Larry,
God, bless you in your journey for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Pray for me, I am very lonely here, but I know Jesus loves me and I will stand for our Lord, no matter what trials I go through. My own children have deserted me because of my witnessing to prisoners. I felt led of the Lord years ago to be a witness for Christ to prisoners. They need our Savior too. My husband passed 45 years ago and my oldest son was murdered 34 years ago.
God, bless you. All for Christ R.C.
Editor’s Note: R.C. is a faithful prayer warrior who regularly sends a small offering along with her prayers. She is approaching 90 years, and a few years ago slept in her car over the winter months in a very cold northern state to minister to prisoners in that state. She has what used to called true grit as she follows Jesus! Keep her in your prayers. LML.
Fellow Vets and Sons,
“Often people view these holidays as a favorite movie quote or clip. They will think of the numerous memories that Forest Gump, The Patriot, and Full Metal Jacket have left us. We forgot the sailor who came down the gangplank with no one to meet him, we forgot the soldier who left the plane amid the parade and fanfare walking alone. Unfortunately, some came and went without a single notice. Perhaps a mother and father wept over a grave, maybe a sister or brother received a folded flag, but too often no one was there to witness this hero. No one gave account of the person’s life. There was no one to make sure their name made onto a wall, no one to collect the uniforms of dog tags, and shamefully no one the visit a tombstone dedicated to a forgotten and unsung hero. Let us now join in offering these men and women a moment of thanks. We may not know the names of the people or the thankless deeds they performed but they need to be remembered. Their selfless acts are what we, as Americans, required of them at that time. Alone, tired and sometimes scared of what the next day, hour or minute might bring. They didn’t stop, they didn’t whine, and they didn’t quit. They kept going when all odds seemed against them. The only thing they left behind was a request that we do the same. So, let us never give up trying or deny the hope that they had for the future. Remember these fallen, always. For God and Country.”
Editor’s Note: This comes from Volume 1 Issue one of the 398 Times, the printed organ of the Kyle Snyder American Legion and Sons of American Legion Post 398 WVCF, P.O. Box 1111 Carlisle, IN 47838. Many stories of redemption in this group. LML
Hope all is well with you. I went with my church to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY. It you have not gone I would encourage you to do so. The feeling of awe & greatness that we are on this side of the flood and in the safety of our great Lord and Savior Jesus Christ brings tears of joy for us and tears of sorrow for those who do not know Him. It encourages me to keep pressing on telling as many as will listen of the great salvation available to them. So, don’t quit! Keep going and keep looking up for that blessed hope.
Love and prayers, B.M.
Editor’s Note: Barb could write a book on this from Amazing Grace, “through many dangers, toils and snares she has already come. Tis grace has brought her safe thus far and grace will lead her home!” I am thankful for this sister who has faithfully supported this ministry over long years. She is a member of Prayer Warriors and takes the work seriously. PTL.
Dear Brother Larry,
God, bless you in your journey for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Pray for me, I am very lonely here, but I know Jesus loves me and I will stand for our Lord, no matter what trials I go through. My own children have deserted me because of my witnessing to prisoners. I felt led of the Lord years ago to be a witness for Christ to prisoners. They need our Savior too. My husband passed 45 years ago and my oldest son was murdered 34 years ago.
God, bless you. All for Christ R.C.
Editor’s Note: R.C. is a faithful prayer warrior who regularly sends a small offering along with her prayers. She is approaching 90 years, and a few years ago slept in her car over the winter months in a very cold northern state to minister to prisoners in that state. She has what used to called true grit as she follows Jesus! Keep her in your prayers. LML.
Fellow Vets and Sons,
“Often people view these holidays as a favorite movie quote or clip. They will think of the numerous memories that Forest Gump, The Patriot, and Full Metal Jacket have left us. We forgot the sailor who came down the gangplank with no one to meet him, we forgot the soldier who left the plane amid the parade and fanfare walking alone. Unfortunately, some came and went without a single notice. Perhaps a mother and father wept over a grave, maybe a sister or brother received a folded flag, but too often no one was there to witness this hero. No one gave account of the person’s life. There was no one to make sure their name made onto a wall, no one to collect the uniforms of dog tags, and shamefully no one the visit a tombstone dedicated to a forgotten and unsung hero. Let us now join in offering these men and women a moment of thanks. We may not know the names of the people or the thankless deeds they performed but they need to be remembered. Their selfless acts are what we, as Americans, required of them at that time. Alone, tired and sometimes scared of what the next day, hour or minute might bring. They didn’t stop, they didn’t whine, and they didn’t quit. They kept going when all odds seemed against them. The only thing they left behind was a request that we do the same. So, let us never give up trying or deny the hope that they had for the future. Remember these fallen, always. For God and Country.”
Editor’s Note: This comes from Volume 1 Issue one of the 398 Times, the printed organ of the Kyle Snyder American Legion and Sons of American Legion Post 398 WVCF, P.O. Box 1111 Carlisle, IN 47838. Many stories of redemption in this group. LML
The Book Worm's Corner. Comments From Helpful Books Joyce Lilly
Joyce Lilly TgB
The Reason For My Hope. Salvation. Billy Graham. W Publishing/Thomas Nelson. 8 Chp 207 pgs $19.99.
I mistakenly let Larry read this book first. He marked it up and turned the corner down on so many pages, I had trouble keeping my mind on what Billy wrote. But you can be sure Billy triumphed over Larry’s habit. Dr. Graham’s theme is Salvation from our sin and then salvation from our sins personally and nationally. This book is a true page turner. Larry read it in one evening.
On page 91 Dr. Graham quotes Konrad Adenauer: “He asked me, ‘What is the most important thing in the world?’ Before I could answer, he gave the right answer and said, ‘The resurrection of Jesus Christ. If Christ is alive, then there is hope for the world. If Jesus Christ is in the grave, then I don’t see the slightest glimmer of hope on the horizon.’”
Such statements permeate the book.
The Reason For Hope is what I call a three hanky book as the tears will surely fall as account after account of sinners saved, captives delivered and broken lives are healed by the grace of Jesus Christ. The book is a gold mine of true stories of God riding into people’s trouble at just the right moment. I noticed Larry marked a statement in the Introduction: “When the world tells us to, ‘Give up,’ hope whispers, ‘Try it.’”
In chapter 7, No Hope of Happy Hour in Hell, Dr. Graham debunks the accusation that he doesn’t believe in it. The entire chapter destroys any thought that there is no hell. One alone sets the pace, “The problem is not that hell exists, for it must, since God is holy.” Farther along he states, “Saying there is no Hell, doesn’t make it so.”
Read Grahams line: “Hell is anything but divine; it is a place of torment (Luke 16:19-26). Hell is not upcoming, it is outer darkness (Matt. 8:12). Hell is a place not of sacred death, but of perpetual unrest. (Rev. 14:11).”
As you might expect Billy couples this dark picture with the reality of redemption through Jesus. Get the book. Joyce Lilly TgB.
I mistakenly let Larry read this book first. He marked it up and turned the corner down on so many pages, I had trouble keeping my mind on what Billy wrote. But you can be sure Billy triumphed over Larry’s habit. Dr. Graham’s theme is Salvation from our sin and then salvation from our sins personally and nationally. This book is a true page turner. Larry read it in one evening.
On page 91 Dr. Graham quotes Konrad Adenauer: “He asked me, ‘What is the most important thing in the world?’ Before I could answer, he gave the right answer and said, ‘The resurrection of Jesus Christ. If Christ is alive, then there is hope for the world. If Jesus Christ is in the grave, then I don’t see the slightest glimmer of hope on the horizon.’”
Such statements permeate the book.
The Reason For Hope is what I call a three hanky book as the tears will surely fall as account after account of sinners saved, captives delivered and broken lives are healed by the grace of Jesus Christ. The book is a gold mine of true stories of God riding into people’s trouble at just the right moment. I noticed Larry marked a statement in the Introduction: “When the world tells us to, ‘Give up,’ hope whispers, ‘Try it.’”
In chapter 7, No Hope of Happy Hour in Hell, Dr. Graham debunks the accusation that he doesn’t believe in it. The entire chapter destroys any thought that there is no hell. One alone sets the pace, “The problem is not that hell exists, for it must, since God is holy.” Farther along he states, “Saying there is no Hell, doesn’t make it so.”
Read Grahams line: “Hell is anything but divine; it is a place of torment (Luke 16:19-26). Hell is not upcoming, it is outer darkness (Matt. 8:12). Hell is a place not of sacred death, but of perpetual unrest. (Rev. 14:11).”
As you might expect Billy couples this dark picture with the reality of redemption through Jesus. Get the book. Joyce Lilly TgB.
Page Four Potpourri From Several minds!
Christmas Eve 1968 William J. Bennett
The year 1968 was one of the most discouraging in modern U.S. history. The Vietnam War dragged on. Despite major civil rights bills, many people feared the country was turning “increasingly separate and unequal.” The nation grieved over the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy. Riots filled city streets.
At the end of this dismal year, a Saturn 5 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral on mankind’s first attempt to reach the moon. On board were three Apollo 8 astronauts: Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders. Their mission was not to land on the moon, but to orbit it ten times. NASA told their wives that the men’s chances of making it back to earth alive were about 50-50.
On Christmas Eve millions of enthralled TV viewers watched as the astronauts transmitted a blurry but miraculous image of the lunar surface. Then they heard the voice of Bill Anders: Apollo 8 has a message that we would like to send to you. “In the beginning created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light, and there was light…”
The astronauts took turns reading the first ten verses of Genesis. Then Frank Borman said, “And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas and God bless all of you-all of you on the good earth.”
After a year of death and destruction, the astronaut’s brave journey and healing gesture were like a balm in Gilead. Apollo 8 held the promise that a free people would not fail after all. Americans coming together could still achieve wonders.
***
Notice what John the Baptist did when he used the term logos in relation to Jesus. The Hebrews used to talk about God, but they were fearful of uttering his covenant name, Yahweh. Two popular words around John’s time were “Word and Wisdom.” When the people talked about the “Word” and “Wisdom” they were actually saying that God was the meaning behind all things. While the Hebrews were doing this the Greeks for centuries had been talking about the “logos.” When they talked about the Logos they meant something like what Heraclitus, one of there philosophers, meant-the Logos was the omnipresent wisdom by which all things were steered. The Gnostics, whose theories were beginning to develop about the time John was writing, talked about the Logos too.
They believed the Logos to be the redeemer who descended into the lower world in human form, deceiving the demonic powers to make it possible for humans to follow him into the higher world of God. John played on the erroneous thought to make the thought divinely correct. They thought that behind everything there is a Reason, and the Hebrews thought that behind everything there is an Intelligence. Thus John could take both of these ideas and incorporated them into the term, logos or Word. Stuart Briscoe. The Word Made Flesh.
*****
John’s Christmas story presents God the Son in flesh and so goes beyond the beginning of the cosmos and has God as described in Genesis as the One who created all things, though he is Eternal without beginning or end. This concept was/is a tad above the comprehension of mere humans, but though we are His highest creation, we still must ponder and wonder at the Greatness of our Saviour. Mel Branham.
If you haven't got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. Bob Hope
A lovely thing about Christmas is that it's compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together. Garrison Keillor
“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” Laura Ingalls Wilder
― Laura Ingalls Wilder.
The year 1968 was one of the most discouraging in modern U.S. history. The Vietnam War dragged on. Despite major civil rights bills, many people feared the country was turning “increasingly separate and unequal.” The nation grieved over the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy. Riots filled city streets.
At the end of this dismal year, a Saturn 5 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral on mankind’s first attempt to reach the moon. On board were three Apollo 8 astronauts: Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders. Their mission was not to land on the moon, but to orbit it ten times. NASA told their wives that the men’s chances of making it back to earth alive were about 50-50.
On Christmas Eve millions of enthralled TV viewers watched as the astronauts transmitted a blurry but miraculous image of the lunar surface. Then they heard the voice of Bill Anders: Apollo 8 has a message that we would like to send to you. “In the beginning created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light, and there was light…”
The astronauts took turns reading the first ten verses of Genesis. Then Frank Borman said, “And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas and God bless all of you-all of you on the good earth.”
After a year of death and destruction, the astronaut’s brave journey and healing gesture were like a balm in Gilead. Apollo 8 held the promise that a free people would not fail after all. Americans coming together could still achieve wonders.
***
Notice what John the Baptist did when he used the term logos in relation to Jesus. The Hebrews used to talk about God, but they were fearful of uttering his covenant name, Yahweh. Two popular words around John’s time were “Word and Wisdom.” When the people talked about the “Word” and “Wisdom” they were actually saying that God was the meaning behind all things. While the Hebrews were doing this the Greeks for centuries had been talking about the “logos.” When they talked about the Logos they meant something like what Heraclitus, one of there philosophers, meant-the Logos was the omnipresent wisdom by which all things were steered. The Gnostics, whose theories were beginning to develop about the time John was writing, talked about the Logos too.
They believed the Logos to be the redeemer who descended into the lower world in human form, deceiving the demonic powers to make it possible for humans to follow him into the higher world of God. John played on the erroneous thought to make the thought divinely correct. They thought that behind everything there is a Reason, and the Hebrews thought that behind everything there is an Intelligence. Thus John could take both of these ideas and incorporated them into the term, logos or Word. Stuart Briscoe. The Word Made Flesh.
*****
John’s Christmas story presents God the Son in flesh and so goes beyond the beginning of the cosmos and has God as described in Genesis as the One who created all things, though he is Eternal without beginning or end. This concept was/is a tad above the comprehension of mere humans, but though we are His highest creation, we still must ponder and wonder at the Greatness of our Saviour. Mel Branham.
If you haven't got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. Bob Hope
A lovely thing about Christmas is that it's compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together. Garrison Keillor
“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” Laura Ingalls Wilder
― Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Friendly Reminder:
Jon Lilly while preaching on the wisdom of Solomon stated, “We had better learn to build habits in good times that will help us through the tough times.” It’s true, habits do not change very well in times trouble, so it’s good to have good ones at all times.
Praying for and sharing financial blessings with ministries like Larry Lilly’s Journal is a good habit, as is being faithful in serving Christ. It’s better to nurture good habits on a regular basis, than it is to get out of the mess bad habits can cause! Please commit to be a Prayer Warrior! LML
Larry Lilly
P.O. Box 5212
Terre Haute, IN 47805
larrylilly@larrylilly.net
Your letter, prayer, comment or offering will be deeply appreciated. LML
Jon Lilly while preaching on the wisdom of Solomon stated, “We had better learn to build habits in good times that will help us through the tough times.” It’s true, habits do not change very well in times trouble, so it’s good to have good ones at all times.
Praying for and sharing financial blessings with ministries like Larry Lilly’s Journal is a good habit, as is being faithful in serving Christ. It’s better to nurture good habits on a regular basis, than it is to get out of the mess bad habits can cause! Please commit to be a Prayer Warrior! LML
Larry Lilly
P.O. Box 5212
Terre Haute, IN 47805
larrylilly@larrylilly.net
Your letter, prayer, comment or offering will be deeply appreciated. LML