Signs & Wonders of Christ's Arrival - - The Light Still Shines

 

Matthew 2:2

"Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east."

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 792

Star: a star, a group of stars, stars strewn across the sky

From the Greek word 'astér' (pronounced as-tare'). In connection with the Greek word 'strónnuó' (pronounced strone'-noo-mee), wherein we get our English word 'astronomy'. 

HIS STAR, HIS PURPOSE

This start had one purpose: to light the way for those seeking the newborn baby King to worship Him. First, the shepherds who were nearby. Then, the wise men from the east, who traveled two years to reach Him. When the star had fulfilled its reason for being, it was seen no more. 

No matter how long it takes us to reach Jesus, as long as our intent is pure, our goal will be reached. And when our purpose in Christ has been fulfilled, we too, will be taken up and seen no more on this earth. Woe, to those whose names are called that are not ready. For no one will ever be 'good enough' to see God's face and live. Only they who are pure in heart. And the only way we can be pure in heart is to have Jesus Christ living in our hearts. 

THE LIGHT STILL SHINES

That light shined in the night sky to lead the way. It stood out from all the other twinkling stars, so it must have been visible to the naked eye. For both the shepherds and the wise men could see it without aid. 

But we know that while that light shone briefly, there is another Light which shines permanently. During His earthly ministry Jesus told His disciples, in John 8:12, "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." 

And again in John 9:5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Knowing He would be taken out of the world, He also let them know that they would be the light, too, 12:36 "While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light." After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them." 

THE PURE LIGHT

Proverbs 4:18

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.

Philippians 2:14, 15

14. Do everything without complaining or arguing,

15. so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world.

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Everywhere and in all things we are instructed to be honorable men and women of God: in our everyday life, where people around us see our actions and hear our the words that come out of our mouths and in the privacy of our own thoughts, where only God knows what we are thinking and the true intents of our hearts. 

Let us be the Lighthouse that shines the Light and Love of God through Jesus Christ into the darkness of this world in which we live, that wandering souls may see Jesus and be saved from wreck and ruin.

JESUS IS THE LIGHT by Carman

LIGHT OF THE WORLD by Hillsong United

His Star, His Purpose, His Glory

STAR

Numbers 24:17

"I shall see Him, but not now; 

I shall behold Him, but not nigh:

There shall come a STAR out of Jacob, 

and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel,

and shall smite the corners of Moab,

and destroy all the children of Sheth."

Matthew 2:2

"Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen

 HIS STAR in the east, and we have come

to worship Him."

PURPOSE

Matthew 1:21

"And she will bring forth a Son, and 

you will call His Name Jesus, 

because HE will SAVE His people 

from their sins."

Luke 2:10-11

"And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: 

for, behold, I bring you TIDINGS of GREAT JOY.

which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day

in the city of David a SAVIOR,

which is CHRIST THE LORD."

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only 

begotten Son, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM

SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE."

Isaiah 9:6

"For unto us a child is born, 

unto us a Son is given,

and THE GOVERNMENT shall be upon His shoulders.

And He will be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR,

THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER,

THE PRINCE OF PEACE."

Matthew 28:18

"ALL AUTHORITY 

in heaven and earth has been given to Me."

GLORY

Revelation 5:12-13

"In a loud voice they said: 'Worthy is The Lamb 

that was slain to receive POWER and RICHES

and WISDOM and STRENGTH 

and HONOR and GLORY and BLESSING!'

And I heard every creature in heaven, 

and on earth, and under the earth and in the sea,

and all that is in them, saying,

'To Him who sits on the throne, 

and to The Lamb, 

be PRAISE and HONOR and GLORY and POWER

forever and ever!"

John 8:54

"Jesus answered, 'If I glorify Myself, my glory means nothing.

The One who GLORIFIES Me is My Father,

of whom you say, 'He is our God'."

A Light Like No Other

Out of millions of stars in the night skies one shone above all the others. Created to serve one purpose and one purpose only: lead the nations to the place which God had prepared for the birth of His only begotten Son. To bring the newborn King their, and our, worship and adoration. To bring the King of the Jews ourselves and lay not only the gifts in our hands at His feet, but the gifts in our hearts, as well. 

How fitting that the weather is so topsy-turvy this year. For it was not a cold winter night that welcomed the baby's birth, but a warm summer night. When the sheep could be on the surrounding hills, while their shepherds kept close watch. When the darkness of night would suddenly be illuminated by thousands, tens of thousands, of angels singing the praises of the newborn King of the Jews. A heavenly choir singing to a bunch of poor shepherds and their flocks. Calling out to them to "fear not", for this was a joyous occasion. And to Bethlehem they came. 

The supernatural star gleamed and shined forth its light over the stable where the baby lay, 'wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger'. The Bread of Life resting in a feeding trough. The Light of the world heralded with the special light which His heavenly Father had prepared for such an occasion. The Way in a manger. The Door through which all must walk through in belief that Jesus the Christ is the only begotten Son of God, who died on the cross and rose from the grave. 

In humble beginnings here on earth Jesus took His first breath, but not His last. For Christ is alive. For ever. That manger is empty and gone. That cross is empty and gone. That grave is empty, though many flock to see the tomb where it is said that He lay. I don't want to visit where He is not: I am going where He is!!

I saw that Light and I followed it to His heart. Now, I am in Him and He is in me, which is what He prayed for in the garden that night they hauled Him away like a common criminal. That Light lives in me and when I open my heart, His Light shines through. There is room for many, many more in His heart. Won't you reconsider and change your mind? And let Jesus change your heart? 

His Star, His Purpose