WITH BRANDON SENIOR

Introduction:

The two most important events of all-time mark some amazing similarities.  The first obvious similarity is that both were prophesied many years before they took place.  As we contemplate the gravity of both situations let us pray for the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit.

 

1. Jesus was rejected by those He came to save - Luke 2:7, Luke 9:22, Mark 15:15

He was born naked in a stable and died naked on a cross.

 

2. Jesus’ precious mother was present at both - Luke 2:7, John 19:25

Mary endured much in the life and death of her Son; miracles, joy, and tears.

 

3. Myrrh was presented to him at both - Matthew 2:11, John 19:39

The wise men presented Jesus with myrrh at Jesus birth foreshadowing the death that would take place.  Myrrh would have been used in preparing a body for burial.

 

4. Darkness was present - Matthew 2:10, 14, 27:45

When Jesus was but a child and was present with the gifts from the wise men Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled by night to Egypt.

When Christ was on the cross a supernatural darkness covered the land for the Light of the world (Jn. 8:12) was going out.

 

5. Jesus body was wrapped in cloth - Luke 2:7, 12, Mark 15:46

Amazingly, though rejected by the majority there was still a precious few that cared for Him.  Clothing represents character in the Bible (Isaiah 64:6).  Jesus was clothed with humanity.

 

6. Herods, a union of church and state was involved - Matthew 2:7, 8 Luke 23:7-12

Church and state never mix well together especially when they seek to destroy Christ.

 

7. There was an unlikely people that recognized Jesus divinity - Matthew 2:1-2, Mark 15:39

I love it how God always chooses to reveal Himself to the unlikely sometimes even the outcasts of society.

 

8. Worship was present at both - Matthew 2:11, Mark 15:26

When He was born He was genuinely worshipped.  At His crucifixion it was a false worship…a mockery.

 

9. Jesus was hailed as King - Matthew 2:2, John 19:39

At birth He was correctly recognized as King.  At His death they called Him king in mockery.  Even though the devil tries to dethrone Jesus His Kingship will last forever.

 

10. A Joseph was present at both - Matthew 1:19, Mark 15:43

Joseph, the man who stepped up to the plate and accepted the role of Jesus earthly father cared for Jesus birth.  Joseph of Arimathaea cared for His body at death.

 

11. The chief priests and scribes missed the coming of the Messiah - Matthew 2:4-6, 27:41-43

The ones that should have known and been expecting the events chose to be ignorant of the times they were living in.  Do you recognize the time you are living in?  Christ’s second coming is just around the corner…don’t miss it.

 

Conclusion:

            God has His hand in everything.  The amazing circumstances that surround the life of Christ are just as amazing as the God that orchestrated it all.  If God is in control of all the little things in life, maybe that means we should allow Him to be in control of our lives as well.

 

Amen

 

 

    Through the promised Seed, the God of Israel was to bring deliverance to Zion. "There shall come forth a Rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots." "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall He eat, that He may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good." Isaiah 11:1; 7:14, 15.

     "And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; and shall make Him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and He shall not judge after the sight of His eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of His ears: but with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins." "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious." Isaiah 11:2-5, 10.

     "Behold the Man whose name is the Branch; . . . He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne." Zechariah 6:12, 13.

 

[Patriarchs and Prophets p. 695 E.G.W.]