Mar 16 - Jesus Is Born

Today Balak snnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaps when Balaam blesses the Israelites from this final location he takes him to curse them. "I called you to curse my enemies! Instead, you have blessed them three times. Now get out of here! Go back home! I promised to reward you richly, but the Lord has kept you form your reward." Pardon my language but how freaking crazy do you have to be to see all of this happening and then shaft the guy out of payment and blame it on God. So of coarse God gives him a little message to pass on to Balak before he leaves. Basically the people of Israel are going to wipe you out and and a bunch of the other lands in the area that are sinning against God. Then Balaam and Balak returned to their homes and I'm betting Balak didn't sleep to well!

Joseph and Mary returned to Bethlehem in Judea because he was a descendant of King David and there was a census to be taken so everyone had to return to their ancestral towns. While they were in Bethlehem Jesus was born. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby when an angle of the Lord appeared and told them "Don't be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." Suddenly the angel was joined by the armies of heaven praising God and saying "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."

The baby was circumcised and then Mary and Joseph then went to Jerusalem to present Jesus to the Lord because the law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a by, he must be dedicated to the Lord." Simeon a righteous and devout man had the Holy Spirit upon him that revealed he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. Mary and Joseph went to the Temple to present the baby. He took the child in his arms and praised God. Simeon blessed them and said "This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul." It doesn't seem like this is very hard for people to grasp. Christianity is HUGE throughout the world and our beliefs are based off form Jesus being the Messiah and his death was for the salvation of our life. I think it's good to now and again reflect on Jesus' birth and not always just on his death. Yes his death and blood on the cross is what saved us but we also have to remember he came into this world as a helpless baby with earthly parents and grew to become the Jesus we know. I'm interested to see how deep the bible goes into Jesus as a kid and how his parents interacted.....family life.