diff --git a/content/bible_journal/luke_2:1-7.md b/content/bible_journal/luke_2:1-7.md index 6e03c75..c1f7a09 100644 --- a/content/bible_journal/luke_2:1-7.md +++ b/content/bible_journal/luke_2:1-7.md @@ -1,9 +1,9 @@ +++ -title = "Luke 2:1–8" +title = "Luke 2:1–7" date = "2022-10-22" +++ -### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk2.1-8) +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk2.1-7) In order to fulfill the prophecy in Micah that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, Mary needed to travel there. God directed the Roman government to diff --git a/content/bible_journal/luke_2:8-21.md b/content/bible_journal/luke_2:8-21.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ef6d77c --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/luke_2:8-21.md @@ -0,0 +1,38 @@ ++++ +title = "Luke 2:8–21" +date = "2022-10-23" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk2.8-21) + +When shepherds are out with the flock at night, there's usually one reason: to +be midwives to the ewes. Lambing season is in the spring, so it's beautifully +poetic that the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world would be born +at the same time. It also upends the tradition of Christmas being in December, +but the 25th is as good a date as any for celebrating. + +Despite caring for the animals used in temple sacrifices, shepherds were not +regarded highly by the rest of the people. Often ceremonially unclean from +handling dead animals, and traveling about with the flocks kept them from being +in a stable community with everyone else. And yet these men are the first to +receive an invitation from God to see Jesus. + +If seeing one angel is often enough to make someone faint, I can't imagine what +it would be like to see an entire army of them at once. And it is an army; +that's what "host" means in the Scriptures. Get out of your mind the image of a +glowing, white-robed, winged blond person. While angels may show up that way +elsewhere (minus the wings), these angels are arrayed for battle. That makes it +even more amazing that their message is of peace on the earth with God. + +Following the instructions of the first angel, the shepherds are able to find +Mary and Joseph. That's still kind of amazing, because while Bethlehem isn't a +large town, it was full to overflowing. A newborn baby in a manger is also not +something you'd find everyday, but how would you go about searching for him? + +Luke likely got this story from Mary, who "treasured up all these things, +pondering them in her heart." (_v. 19_) + +* * * + +You raise up the humble, and Your priorities are perfect. Your ways are higher +than our ways.