For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." (Luke 2:11-12)

Having spoken of the birth of Jesus (vs.1-7), Luke now turns the narrative toward an event taking place out in the fields.  Shepherds were watching their flocks by night.  Among the Jews, shepherds were held in low esteem.  Thus, it seems fitting that God would choose this humble order to hear this wonderful announcement.  So just outside Bethlehem these lowly men are the audience of a heavenly host bringing good news from heaven.

The substance of this angelic message is that a Savior, Christ, the Lord has been born.  This is the Anointed One of whom the prophets spoke and who David prefigured.  He is the one sent from God to perform the mercy promised to the fathers and to fulfill God’s holy covenant.  He came to earth offering redemption from sin.  

Such wonderful news is the occasion of great joy.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:13-14)  These angels proclaimed a most thrilling thought: sinful man can be reconciled to a Holy God.  Paul later wrote:  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)  This marvelous possibility is offered to all men.

As a sign of validity the shepherds were told they would find the child lying in a manger. (vs.12)  This announcement prompted them to quickly investigate the evidence. (Luke 2:15-17)  There in Bethlehem they found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus.  The gospel of Christ contains incredible claims backed by incredible evidence.  (John 20:30,31)

Having seen the child and being convinced of his identity, they anxiously shared the news with others.  It is one of man’s highest honors to impart God’s message of salvation with lost souls.  Those who need and have found the Savior are the only ones adapted to proclaim Him to the world.  Christ, the Lord must be the Lord of our lives.  Only in Him is abiding peace and great joy.

By George Slover

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20)

Jesus clearly points to two possible courses of life, two possible paths: either to store up earthly goods or to store up heavenly treasure.  Our heart has room to embrace only one of these possibilities.  If we cling to the world, we cannot cling to heaven.  There is only one of these options that can truly satisfy.  

The earthly goods that consume so much of our time are both perishable and insecure.  The moth devours the garment. The metals rust and tarnish.  The things that one may work hard to obtain, the thief steals.  Man can never guarantee his hold on anything he may possess.  He has it today, but he is never sure of tomorrow.

Death and decay cannot destroy the treasure of heaven.  It’s most prized jewel is the very presence of God.  God promises an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away. (1 Peter 1:4)  The lines of a favorite Jamaican chorus: “My home is in heaven, just waiting for me, and when I reach there how happy I’ll be.  My home is in heaven.  No rent to pay.  My Jesus paid it, paid it all for me.” 

Where is your treasure?  What is the object of your desires?  Where do you place your trust?  Where do you seek security and consolation?  Worldly possessions can easily turn our hearts away from Jesus.  Do you try to combine devotion to these with loyalty to Christ?  Or, are you exclusively devoted to Him?

By George Slover
 

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:9-11)

On Mount Olivet, a Sabbath day’s journey from Jerusalem, Jesus gave his last instructions to his Apostles.  Then suddenly he was taken in a cloud.  Luke is the only one to record the details of the ascension of Jesus.  The Lord’s attempts to prepare his disciples for his departure during his earthly ministry are recorded by other gospel writers.  

Luke records: “while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”  One can only imagine how they must have felt by the sudden departure of their spiritual leader.  Jesus would set them lose in a sin broken world to herald a message that would be rejected by the majority.  "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)  I suspect they had a knot in their stomach when he disappeared.

The ascension of Christ presents a problem for the opponents of Christianity because it is inseparably connected to His resurrection.  Jesus left nothing behind in this world.  He never wrote a book. He did not leave behind an estate.  He did not even leave behind even one artifact to be placed in a museum.   He left nothing but an empty tomb and twelve men to testify of his life.  Had Jesus simply died he would be no better than Confucius or Mohammed.  However, by His ascension, Jesus was fully enthroned as Lord and Christ! In heaven He is exalted to a position of highest honor and authority. (Acts 2:32-36) 

In addition Luke records: that two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."  Though the Master has been taken away, he will come again in a manner more splendid and a form more glorious!  All is not lost!  He’s coming back!  He will return at an unexpected time!

In several parables Jesus taught that those who are wise will prepare for the unexpected appearance of the bridegroom or the return of the master. (see Matthew 25)  His ascension is a reminder to his disciples that they have work to do while he is away.  Only those who have zealously prepared for His return will be blessed.

George Slover

 

"And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.'" (Job 28:28)

In vivid terms Job describes (see Job 28:3) the way of those who mine precious metals.  Man will hazard his life in search of precious ore.  But, where is man’s success in pursuit of wisdom?  He can dig and blast away, but true wisdom is beyond his reach. True wisdom is of incomparable value.  Man cannot estimate its worth.  Its price is far above gold and rubies.  It cannot be discovered by man’s intuition.  It is the property of God alone.  (Job 28:12) It had to be revealed!

The wisdom from God contains two key elements is the 1) “fear of the Lord” and 2) “abstaining from evil”.  True wisdom reminds us that it is man’s obligation to live in the fear of God.  Man’s life on earth is fragile and quickly moving toward eternity.  We were created for higher purpose than to pursue the temporary.  Solomon said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

True wisdom protects us from destructive behavior – “to depart from evil is understanding.”  Sin will not only destroy the soul eternally, but can disrupt relationships in this life – families, churches, communities, and even your own sense of worth.  God’s wisdom points to abundant living, because it is in harmony with our design and purpose.

True wisdom is founded upon recognition of God’s sovereignty.  It gives us a true basis for faith and hope and promises special blessings to those who pursue it.  Thankfully, God revealed his mind to us so that that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." (1 Corinthians 1:31)

By George Slover
 

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”(Matthew 5:8)

Here the Lord is obviously not speaking of the blood pump, but of the seat of one’s affections.  “Pure” means to be “clean” or “free from pollution”.  The Pharisees thought of clean hands, but Jesus insists on purity of heart.

Those who are clean in heart are totally transparent and have no selfish aims.  “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith”, (1 Timothy 1:5)  “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)  “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,” (2 Timothy 1:3).  Those who are pure in heart have no aim, but to serve the Lord.
  
For one to be pure in heart one must develop a spiritual mindset.  God urges us to control the desires of our fleshly body ( II Corinthians 6:16) by focusing on the inward man.   By cultivating a spiritual heart, one develops a keener sense of what is truly important which helps one to make wise decisions.

The pure in heart have replaced worldly ambitions with a complete devotion to God’s will.  The unclean heart of evil thoughts has been purged by a love for God and of those things that please Him.  It is a heart of single minded devotion to God.  

The pure in heart have developed a heavenly vision.  With such a vision, one treasures eternal things more than earthly things.  “To see God” literally means to gaze upon with wide opened eyes.  It carries the idea of fellowship or experience.  This vision should move us toward a moral likeness to God and greater empathy with His cause.  

Only the pure in heart will see God.  “Their hearts are free from defiling fantasies and are not distracted by conflicting desires and intentions.  They are wholly absorbed by the contemplation of God”.  (Dietrich Bonheoffer) 

By George Slover