Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We move on to Luke Chapter 2 and verses 21 to 40. Amazing circumstances surrounded John the Baptist when he was 8 days old.
Amazing and wonderful things happened, when Jesus was 8 days old, and significant things were said.
Many are unaware of the importance of what happened on this occasion.
When Jesus is 8 days old, it is time to circumcise Him, and name Him JESUS. Joseph and Mary take Him to The Temple in Jerusalem to present Him to The Lord.
These verses might appear quite unfamiliar to many.
This scene is almost totally overlooked and ignored, yet this is just a week after the angels appeared to the shepherds.
I am not aware of any hymns or carols or pictures on cards depicting these events.
It comes between the visit of the shepherds and the wise men.
It may not sound so romantic - or sentimental - as the shepherds and wise men - but perhaps there is a much more serious reason for these truths being overlooked by many.
Why are these verses so unfamiliar? Well, the scene doesn’t quite fit what men would like the scene to be. It does not appear so soothing nor so exciting, yet, when you read it carefully, it is.
It is a very Jewish aspect of the birth of Jesus, and it really only has a message to believers - for disciples - and that is significant.
I have a note saying that I preached on this in 1977, and three people told me they would not be back. They never did come back - and now, they cannot.
But to disciples of Jesus Christ, these words will minister strength and comfort and courage and boldness, and the longing to remain faithful to Jesus and His Word.
God had said in His word that boys should be circumcised, so Mary and Joseph arranged for this to be done. They did it. There is no arguing with what God had said - no questioning - no discussion about it - no hinting that their Son was so special that this was unnecessary, and that they did not need to obey God’s Law.
They did what God told them to do, and here we see a beautiful picture of obedience. Jesus received a physical mark which could never be erased.
Not only does JESUS receive the mark of the Jew, but for the first time, He is shedding blood. His blood is shed at the hands of men.
There would be no singing, “The Little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes”, that day!
Do you se how Mary and Joseph did everything that was required of them?
Verse 39. They put God first. This shows us what Mary and Joseph were like. It is important for us too to put God first. When we come together for Praise and Worship, we can tell Him that He is going to be first in our lives.
The first born boy belonged to the Lord anyway, and here we see Mary and Joseph openly recognising this fact. They are telling The Father - Jesus is Yours!
They had to offer a sacrifice, and they offered the sacrifice which only the poor gave - a pair of pigeons. Jesus was raised in a poor home – financially, poor - godly, yes. That is why later on Jesus knows what it is to look for a lost coin. Jesus knew what it was to have patches on His clothes, and He uses these experiences in His Preaching and Teaching.
Yet, you can never outgive God. Perhaps Mary and Joseph had to scrape things together to make this sacrifice, but on their way were wise men travelling and one of them had gold. You can never outgive God.
He knows how to reward you when you have given and sown and obeyed. Sow generously of your time and money and whatever talents and gifts you have, and be open and prepared to reap the harvest which God will pour into your life.
Over these next weeks and months what are you looking for, and praying for, and expecting to flow from the generous Hand of our gracious God?
Remember too, to bow and give thanks and praise for every token and sign of His mercy and grace.
“Loving Father, we thank You for all that happened when Jesus was born. We thank You Jesus for coming into our world. We thank You Holy Spirit for the part you played. Continue to play a vital role within my life. Amen”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.