Dangerous Violence

Matthew 2:17 & 18

"17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not."

Where were you?

When the planes crashed into the World Trade Center?

When the plane crashed into the Pentagon?

When the plane crashed into a field?

We gathered and watched.

We checked on loved ones.

We looked into the sky.

We wondered what was going to happen next.

We KNEW this world IS very dangerous.

These events defined our generation. We all have the horror and terror of this event burned deep into our memory. We are NOT able to forget.

In our verses we are reading the attempt to record and describe the horror and terror of Massacre of the innocents. When king Herod sent soldiers to kill ALL BABIES under two years old in the area around Bethlehem. An event they were NOT able to forget.

To communicate this to his readers, Matthew, recalls another horrific event recorded by the prophet Jeremiah. The siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon, in 597 BC. Jeremiah describes people of Israel being hauled off in chains into slavery. The important people of Israel were killed the sons of the king had been murdered in front of him. Afterwards the eyes of the king were poked out! It is a tragedy that causes stress in people hearing about it centuries later. Matthew brings it up to underscore the brutality of the event he is reporting. All the more brutal in that it's their own king and in their own homes and killing their own children.

All the violence in the world doesn't stop. Today we have shootings and MORE. It doesn't STOP. There will always be evil. AND! Evil will NEVER WIN...

The good parts of these daily devotionals are inspired by the sermon at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg Texas. You can watch it by following this link... https://youtu.be/Rj4L7Trb_CI

Comments

obedient unto death

Philippians 2:8 "And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Are you offended? The creator of the universe became incarnate and walked with people. He served people. He sacrificed Himself for you and me. Was this work beneath Him? Did He have to do this? Why is THIS God's plan? Who am I to question GOD'S plan? In this letter, Paul's Holy Ghost inspired writing tells us to put others’ interests ahead of our own. Paul tells us to live from a spirit of selflessness, compassion, and unity, reflecting the character of Christ and His love for humanity. A love that is truly "MIGHTY!" "MIGHTY" is one of the names the prophet Isaiah recorded for the Messiah. This is NOT the typical way to be "MIGHTY." Jesus is GOD, and all the glory and majesty that comes with that. And God came down from heaven to be born into the family of people. GOD lived with us and died for us. ...

the donkey

Luke 19:32-34 "32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as He had said unto them. 33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him." God's Grand Plan is your REDEMPTION! Since GOD can make that happen, getting a donkey to ride into Jerusalem is easy! Before the celebratory crowd is shouting "HOSANNA!" Jesus sent 2 Disciples to get a donkey. What is described in today's verses is exactly the way Jesus said things would unfold. Here we can see Jesus is in charge of ALL creatures. The people and the donkeys! In the verses leading up to here we can read that the Disciples are not getting it. They are thinking the Messiah was going to take David's throne. Take Israel back from the Roman occupation. People did not understand God's Grand Plan. Even though Jesus told them all. On their way to Jerusalem they pass through Jericho. Zacheas was there, the...

encouragement

Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." We continue our study of the Lord's Prayer. This week, "Deliver Us From Evil." is also translated as "Deliver Us From The Evil One." We need to remain "sober" and "vigilant." A big part of this is studying the Holy Scriptures, like we are doing. We want to form a solid united front against Satan. For the heart of our studies we turn to Paul's letter to the Ephesians. It was one of four letters Paul wrote while in prison in Rome. Paul cared deeply for the Ephesians. He lived with them for three years as this church was forming. He wants to encourage them and help them become successful. His words can help you and me today.

Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

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