Christmas Day, December 25

…AND BEYOND!!!

Matthew 2: 13-23

Back in July, when the world's focus was on the London bombings, a rather famous intersection was in the news—the King's Cross. Many years ago, a little boy became lost in that city, and when a constable tried to help, he was told by the boy, "Just get me to the King's Cross, and from there I can find my way home." Spiritually, I believe that speaks volumes. These past pages have tried to help you take the steps to the stable, but you can't stop there, for the one born there was born to die—on the King's Cross. He died to be raised from the dead. He rose from the dead to be ascended to the right hand of the Father. He ascended to join the Father in sending down to the earth the power of the Holy Spirit. And that Spirit was sent down to empower us to no longer live according to our own order. Our ways are actually satanic, for they keep us from God's. If we truly believed that, we would earnestly go beyond!!!

Joseph would come to know this. It is interesting to note that when the Magi came to worship Jesus, they found Him and the family in a house, and not a stable. This is an indication that Joseph's plan was probably to settle down in Bethlehem and raise his new family right there. But remember—his plan is actually satanic, for it would keep him from God's. So the Lord used a series of events to bring Joseph beyond Bethlehem and his own ideas. He was warned in a dream to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt, for King Herod was about to have all of the young children in Bethlehem murdered. Joseph was immediate in his obedience—that very night they started south. When Herod died, the Lord once again called the young family to go beyond—and all in fulfillment of prophecy—"Out of Egypt have I called my son." (Hosea 11:1) Once again, Joseph was immediately obedient—no griping, no complaining, no insisting on his own rights or agenda. He would follow the leading of the Lord!

As they came back up into the land of Israel, they heard that Herod's son, Archelaus, was reigning in his father's place. This was extremely disturbing to Joseph, for this new king was reputed to be worse than the first. Once again, the Lord led the way—warned in another dream, Joseph took them back up to their former home, Nazareth in Galilee. Nazareth! The little town is not even mentioned in the Old Testament, but its name speaks a powerful truth. The word itself, in the original Hebrew, refers to a consecration unto the purposes of God, like in the "Nazarite vow." (Judges 13:5) Its root word, "nazar", is often translated throughout the Old Testament Scriptures as "a crown,"—focusing on the king himself being completely dedicated to the Lord. How appropriate that the King of kings and the Lord of lords would be raised in such a town; die on such a Cross; and rise to such a glory that only God can give. Are you willing, as Joseph was, to allow the natural man, with all of his own plans, to be crucified, and then, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to go God's way? This Christmas, take the steps to go beyond—Jesus did, and now it’s our turn!

~Rev. Roy D. Warren, Jr.