Miraculous Moments
Lent 2025: Day #4
"'But what about you?' he [Jesus] asked. 'Who do you say I am?'"
~Matthew 16:15
I do so hope that all of us realize the promise that was given to Joshua exists for each of us today. The promise is that God will be with us wherever we go. God's presence can be witnessed in numerous ways, and God communicates with His people in various ways as well.
Angels and Dreams and Stars, oh my.
Any one of these occurrences can confound us with a lack of understanding. Combine several of these encounters around one event and we have something miraculous.
The records of Jesus' birth reveal God communicating with numerous individuals as the divine plans for the coming Messiah unfolded.
Matthew 1: 18-25
"This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us').
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus."
On day #2 we read about Mary being visited by an angel; today we read about an angel visiting Joseph.
On day #2 we also read about the Magi and their long trek following the star that signified Jesus' birth.
Luke 2:4-15
"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
'Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'"
Not just one angel--a great company--of angels appeared and praised God, while shepherds were watching their flocks.
So, who is Jesus?
Jesus is someone whose birth was announced to his parents by angels and by dreams. His birth was declared by a company of angels, and a star signified the place over which he rested. His safety was protected by messages in dreams. Any one of these would reveal significance; combining them all around Jesus' birth, and we have the promised signs of the Messiah.
Prayer:
Almighty God, Thank You for communicating with us through signs and wonders. Thank You for Your Word so that we can know You better. Continue to guide us to a better understanding of You and Your Son and Your love for us. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
~Hebrews 13:8
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