“I am convinced that these heavenly beings exist and
that they provide unseen aid on our behalf.” Billy Graham1
The true origins of Christmas began with the birth of a child, a child who is known by many names with one being the most recognizable – Jesus.
Last week we rode with the Magi, better known as the three wise men, as they crossed from Persia to Bethlehem following a star to find a new king. Upon their arrival they discovered something greater than themselves within the stature of a young child. If you missed last week, you can go to my website cindy-stewart.com/Media where this Blog and Podcast and others can be accessed.
This week we are going to wrap up the rest of the story of the Magi. King Herod was unaware of the birth of Jesus and was threatened by the very thought of the prophetic promise of a new king coming to life. He encouraged the Magi to go find this child and report back to the palace.
Dreams
The Magi encountered God in a dream, warning them not to go near King Herod. Their lives would face grave danger at the hands of King Herod’s soldiers. They followed the dream, and went home by another route.
King Herod was determined to eliminate the threat of a new king. He was determined to kill the child king, Jesus, before he could rise up against Herod. The edict of murder was made for all males two years and under that resided in Bethlehem. And so the soldiers were sent.
To protect Jesus God visited Joseph in a dream the same way He did the Magi to protect them. Joseph encountered the Lord in a dream who told him to, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod intends to search for the Child in order to destroy Him.” (Matthew 2:13, The Amplified)
God gives us dreams to protect us.
God gives us dreams to direct us.
This was not the first dream Joseph had experienced. Before the birth of Jesus and before Mary and Joseph were married, the Lord had visited Joseph in a dream. You see Joseph had become aware Mary was pregnant. In those days there would have been great shame brought to both families. Joseph filled with honor and integrity planned to send Mary away and not expose her.
God intervened by visiting Joseph in a dream, assuring him, …”do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (the Lord of Salvation), for He will save His people from sin.” (Matthew 1:20-21, The Amplified)
God gives us dreams to help define our identity.
Jesus who? was defined here in God’s dream to Joseph. And yet, another aspect of His identity revealed to us in adding to the ones we have already discovered.
Jesus who?
The Magi called Jesus King of a new Kingdom.
King Herod called Jesus the Enemy of the present Kingdom.
Joseph will be His earthly father.
God revealed the name Jesus.
God revealed another aspect of Jesus’s identity –the Lord of Salvation.
Angels
God spoke to Joseph in his dreams. Now Mary hears from the Lord in a different manner — through an angel.
Mary who had never been intimate with a man has protected her promise of purity. Mary is anticipating her new life with Joseph. She is in a season of great preparation for her wedding.
Imagine Mary going about her day-to-day duties when suddenly, Gabriel, the Angel of the Lord, appears to her. He has an urgent message from the Lord for her. She has been found highly favored by God.
Gabriel’s message takes her breath away, as he declares God’s purpose for her life. “Listen carefully: you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and eminent and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” (Luke 1:30-32, AMP)
The Unexplained
Mary’s first thought was, How? How could this be possible? She knew the purity of her body and because of this — it was not possible!
Mary trusted the words of Gabriel –
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a cloud]; for that reason the holy (pure, sinless) Child shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35, AMP)
This magnificent Angel of God, Gabriel, explains to her why it must happen this way. It was to provide a pure and sinless Child who is God’s own Son. He also assures her that “Not one promise from God is empty of power for with God there is no such thing as impossibility!” (Luke 1:37, TPT)
The unveiling of Jesus who? now reveals:
The Magi called Jesus King of a new Kingdom.
King Herod called Jesus the Enemy of the present Kingdom.
God reveals His name — Jesus.
Joseph will be his earthly father.
Jesus is Pure
Jesus is Sinless
Jesus is the Son of God
God reveals more of Jesus’s identity – the Lord of Salvation.
By adding these to what we have already discovered we see more of the identity of Jesus being slowly revealed:
The Magi knew who this Child was
King Herod knew who this Child was
Joseph knew who this Child was
Mary knew who this Child was
Who is Jesus in your life?
I’ll close with an experience of discovering who Jesus is in my life.
There was a season where I struggled to find the real, tangible, and loving God. When my mom died and her death intensified my desperation to experience God.
One day out of total frustration, I challenged God to prove Himself. I gave Him a time frame which was one year to show up or I was going to give up believing — for me, there was no other option. Even as I write this I shudder now at what could have been interpreted as arrogance when in reality it was my desperation crying out for the Living God.
Good thing God knew my heart.
I told God I would do my part, which honestly in the beginning was more formulaic than heartfelt.
What happened next was extra-ordinary. Since God is faithful, He responded to my passionate pleas. He began to flood me with His Presence — tangible Presence! I could feel Him, I could see Him in visions, and I could hear His voice. It was as if all my senses were opened, including taste and aromas. With trances and insights, prophetic visions and words of knowledge, I was completely undone with His presence.
My life has never been the same. I grew more in my love for God each day. But just as important, I am on a journey of discovering who Jesus really is and who am I in relation to Him.
My hope for you is this Christmas series will stir up desperation and hunger in your journey in finding out who Jesus is.
Next week, we will tackle the Living, Breathing Creation unveiling of Jesus Who?
Don’t miss the opportunity to find out more about Jesus by ordering my books. They make great Christmas gifts, and if you order now — you will receive signed copies, while supplies last. With special pricing of 3 for $39 through December 31st.
And all Video and Audio Courses are 50% off!
Order on my website at https://cindy-stewart.com/specials/
They are also available on Amazon in Kindle format.
Enjoy your journey of discovering Jesus who? in this Christmas Season.
Remember, you are the best investment you can make.
Enjoy your Christmas Season!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Personal Prophetic Night
January 3, 7 p.m., 2019
The Gathering with Jesus
39918 US Highway 19 N
Tarpon Springs, FL 34698
www.wearethegathering.com
For His plans & your dreams,
Cindy Stewart
#positivewordsonly
#100dreamchallenge
#godsdreamforyou
#more2019mentoring
1 http://www.azquotes.com/quote/560685 Read 11.27.17