A Method in the Madness

S - Matthew 2:13-15 (NIV): "When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”"

O - Jesus is the focus of all the Scriptures (John 5:39-40).  The events of, and those surrounding, his birth fulfill prophecy after prophecy. Case in point, the second chapter of Matthew assumes one (his birth in Bethlehem) and describes the details of three others. The one noted above is found in Hosea 11:1. If we accept the source (God) and power (God) of prophecy fulfillment is never an issue.  What is an issue is timing (when) and method (how). The timing of Jesus' arrival was precise though unheralded (Galatians 4:4). Earth would not be able to predict, discover nor prevent his coming.  The method of fulfilling these prophecies (and almost all others) is what's a bit odd to our rational and religious minds. Jesus is called out of Egypt because Herod was trying to kill him.  Jesus is born in Bethlehem because Caesar issues a taxation decree (Luke 2:1-7). He will be called a Nazarene because Herod's son is a killer like his father and so heaven warns Joseph to avoid Judea (Matthew 2:22-23). This is why the work of God is always and only believing the person of Jesus and not a promise, plan, capacity, resource or principle (John 6:29). It's not that he isn't engaging all these dynamics; it's that we won't be able to keep up with HOW he'll do it.  Children are all about the presence of their parents not their methods.  Jesus tells the twelve and all (Matthew 18:2-3): “He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

A - Thankfully, Jesus confirms the "rumor" that God really does have a will on earth and we're in it. He isn't offering or calling us to know how or when but that he's on it and working it.  We are invited and called to come near and stay near his person/presence.  When considering God's methods the Scriptures give me/us this encouragement and instruction:

·         “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9 NIV)

·         "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NIV)

·         "And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:27, 28 NIV)

This is how Jesus came, lived and left our planet.  This is how God's will works on earth like it does in heaven. This is how I get to live day by day, even while it is called today.

P - Lord Jesus,

How you came is how you send us out; how you lived and loved is how you call us to live and love.  You promise your very self to be with us and in us so that we can actually engage your will on earth like they do in heaven. You call me to lean on you, your person and presence, NOT my understanding … even my understanding of your promises, principles, plans and capacities.  Jesus, I lean into and on you.  I welcome your presence with me and in me. You lead and work; I follow and only work with you--never for you.  Today, while it's called today, I say yes to YOU!

All my love,

Steve