Advent 2020 (day 21 of 26)

December 19, 2020 (Saturday)

 

Advent 2020, day 21 of 26.

 

At times if feels like we are certain of the things we think we know. Just because we don’t recognize it does not mean it does not exist. Take for example the prophecy in Isaiah 9:1, “But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.” [ESV] The context of this verse, according to Christian theology, is coming of the Messiah.

 

There is a story born from ignorance in John 7. The temple guards are sent out to arrest Jesus. However, on hearing Jesus speak, “When some in the crowd heard these words, they said, “This man is truly the prophet.” [John 7:40 CEB] This started a theological discussion, “Others said, “He’s the Christ.” But others said, “The Christ can’t come from Galilee, can he?” [John 7:41 CEB]

 

This is ignorance of the Scriptures. Both the crowd and the Pharisees either ignored or missed the prophecy of Isaiah 9. The question is, who is the child mentioned in Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” [ESV] I personally do not see how those titles could be applied to anyone other than Jesus. Calling a human child “Mighty God” crosses into the territory of blasphemy.

 

This ignorance was taught and reinforced by the authorities. The Pharisee’s mocked the ignorance of the crowd saying, “This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!” [John 7:49 NLT] The crowd considered the same information the Pharisees did, but some came to a different conclusion. Boasting in their ignorance, they told the guards that none of the “authorities” believed.

 

This ignorance force them to be deaf to the truth. Nicodemus steps up to defend Jesus, stating the Law required Jesus to be allowed to speak. The elite keepers of information and the self-proclaimed gatekeepers of truth scoffed, “They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” [John 7:52 CEB]  God help us when we are at the mercy of someone to tell us what to think.

 

This ignorance came from lack of facts. The crowd, and most likely the Pharisees, knew: “For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.” [John 7:42 NLT] I’ve heard that having a backstage pass changes the perception of the event. Change point of view, change perspective, change understanding.

 

Let me take you backstage and see the “rest of the story.” The fact many people did not know was Jesus WAS born in Bethlehem. Luke tells us, “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David… And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son” [Luke 2:4, 6 – 7a ESV]

 

“God is in the details.” (Ludwig Mile van der Rohe, American architect) Prophetically speaking, the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, called out of Egypt, and come from around Galilee. This could only be Jesus.