|
Forums118
Topics9,199
Posts195,617
Members1,323
| |
Most Online5,850
Feb 29th, 2020
|
|
|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
Here is a link to show exactly where the Space Station is over earth right now: Click Here
|
|
|
|
Here is the link to this week's Sabbath School Lesson Study and Discussion Material: Click Here
|
|
Re: Lesson Study # 13 - Christ in the CRUCIBLE
[Re: Daryl]
#93824
12/26/07 03:22 PM
12/26/07 03:22 PM
|
|
|
Luke 2:7 tells us that Christ was born in a lowly stable and was placed in a manger.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
I would say that Christ's beginning as a baby in a manger in a stable was a very humble beginning for Him.
|
 Reply
 Quote
|
|
|
Re: Lesson Study # 13 - Christ in the CRUCIBLE
[Re: Daryl]
#93825
12/26/07 03:32 PM
12/26/07 03:32 PM
|
|
|
Luke 2:22-24 tells us that Christ didn't come from a rich family. Remember, this event in the temple took place before the three wisemen arrived with their gifts.
Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
A pair of turtle doves, etc. - One was for a burnt-offering, and the other for a sin-offering: see Lev_12:8. The rich were required to bring a lamb, but the poor and middling classes were required to bring either two turtle doves, or two pigeons. This is a proof that the holy family were not in affluence. Jesus sanctified the state of poverty, which is the general state of man, by passing through it.
Reference was given in the above quote to Lev. 12:8, however, I am going to quote Lev. 12:6-8 below:
Lev. 12:6 And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:
7 Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.
8 And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.
We also see the committment of both Mary and Joseph in that they brought Christ to the temple in accordance with the law. We, therefore, see the humble and poor beginnings of the life of Christ and of the beginnings of Mary's and Joseph's faithfulness in preparing Christ for His future ministry, which they probably really didn't fully understand what that would involve.
|
|
Reply
Quote
|
|
|
Re: Lesson Study # 13 - Christ in the CRUCIBLE
[Re: Daryl]
#93826
12/26/07 03:41 PM
12/26/07 03:41 PM
|
|
|
Then enters two other elements into the early days of Christ's life, which you can read for yourself in Matthew 2:1-18. This is where we see the three wisemen bringing gifts to the Christ child, however, this is also where we see Herod sending soldiers in an attempt to kill the Christ child. As it says in Sunday's study:
Of course, Jesus was not the first person to live in poverty or to face those who wanted to kill Him, even from an early age. There is, however, another element that helps us understand the uniqueness of what Christ suffered from the earliest times.
Even as a very young child, Christ was already faced with a premature death, however, the angels of God watched over Him and protected Him from all pre-mature deaths, until He came to the tree of Calvary, where He died willingly and voluntarily for us. Between the manger and the cross, Christ went through many crucibles for us.
|
|
Reply
Quote
|
|
|
Re: Lesson Study # 13 - Christ in the CRUCIBLE
[Re: Daryl]
#93828
12/26/07 03:57 PM
12/26/07 03:57 PM
|
|
|
In answer to the last post, it seems that Nazareth wasn't a very reputable place, therefore, as Christ lived there as a child, Nathanael may have had a hard time with Christ being the Promised One of John 1:45 quoted below with verse 46:
John 1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
With the exception of Adam and Eve before the Fall, Jesus was the only sinless Person who ever lived on the earth. In His purity, in His sinlessness, He was immersed in a world of sin. What a torture it must have been, even as a child, for His pure soul constantly to be in contact with sin. Even in our hardness because of sin, we ourselves often shrink away at sins and evil that we find repulsive. Imagine what it must have been like for Christ, whose soul was pure, who wasn't the least bit tainted by sin. Think of the sharp contrast between Christ and others around Him in that regard. It must have been exceedingly painful for Him.
|
|
Reply
Quote
|
|
|
Re: Lesson Study # 13 - Christ in the CRUCIBLE
[Re: asygo]
#93859
12/26/07 09:39 PM
12/26/07 09:39 PM
|
|
|
The questions at the bottom of Sunday's study are thought provoking.
Ask yourself, "How sensitive am I to the sins that exist all around us? Does it bother me, or am I hardened to it?" If you are hardened to it, could it be because of the things you read, watch, or even do? Think about it.
|
|
Reply
Quote
|
|
|
|
|
