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  1. #1
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    Epiphany 2019, "Christmas of the gentiles"

    Yes, Christ was of the tribe of Judah and Israel. He was born in the heart of Judah, the City of David, Bethlehem. We also know the account of the Magi or Wisemen (gentiles, non Jewish) who traveled far the see Christ. The Magi had faith.

    (Gal 3:8): Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”[a]

    700 years before the Christ, Isaiah wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

    Isaiah 60:1ff
    “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
    2 See, darkness covers the earth
    and thick darkness is over the peoples,
    but the Lord rises upon you
    and his glory appears over you.
    3 Nations will come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
    4 “Lift up your eyes and look about you:
    All assemble and come to you;
    your sons come from afar,
    and your daughters are carried on the hip.
    5 Then you will look and be radiant,
    your heart will throb and swell with joy;
    the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
    to you the riches of the nations will come.
    6 Herds of camels will cover your land,
    young camels of Midian and Ephah.
    And all from Sheba will come,
    bearing gold and incense
    and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.

    v1--"has come" --Isaiah was allowed to see 700 years into the future. The event is a done deal, as good as done for Isaiah. God must keep His promises.

    v2--Doesn't speak well of us. Rom 3:23, "For all have sinned..."

    v3--All nations will be blessed thru Christ (Universal Grace). Rom 3:24, "and (all) are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ."

    v6--The Magi didn't travel alone, it was dangerous. Some estimates put the delegation as high as 1200 people. Lots-O-camels.

    v6--The gifts brought were gold, incense, and myrrh (Mt 2). Gold fit for a King (King of kings). Incense was used by the priests (Jesus our High Priest). Myrrh was used in burials. We (man) killed many of the prophets. Christ is THE prophet. Myrrh also pointed ahead to Christ's death. The threefold office of Christ: Prophet, Priest, and King. Christ was simultaneously our High Priest (standing between us and God) and also the perfect Sacrifice. Only God can pull that one off.
    Last edited by msethsmile; 01-14-2019 at 05:22 PM.