Unlikely Arrival

Unlikely Arrival Unlikely Arrival Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Prophecy: Jesus; God: Sovereignty; Birth of Jesus; Advent; Savior; Presentation of Christ in the Temple / Luke 2:1-40 The story of the birth of Jesus is full of small things showing us that God doesnt fit into a box and doesnt do things the way we would expect. The coming of Jesus from heaven to men was unlikely in how it occured and it is in the unlikeliness we can see truths to help us not put God or Jesus into a box wrapped with a bow. Introduction 1. Depending on the person depends on their reception when they arrive somewhere a. Presidents, A-Listers, CEOs all have a certain reception when they arrive b. We see the red carpet treatment and we expect that to be the case when they arrive anywhere i. Anyone greater than them would have a greater reception ii. As you go up the ladder of importance so the reception goes more all out with fan fare and pomp 2. What would be your expectation for the arrival of the king of kings, Lord of Lords, the creator of the universe, God Almighty? i. Our verses in Luke cover this very topic and in order for us to continue growing and becoming more CrossFit we need to identify the expectations that held back the Jews and people from receiving their Lord and Savior ii. As we understand their expectations that held them back from receiving their king or following their king - what expectations do we have that hold us back? › SLIDE Luke 2:1-3 CSB 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. › SLIDE Luke 2:4-6 CSB 4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. › SLIDE Luke 2:7-9 CSB 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. › SLIDE Luke 2:10-12 CSB 10 But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger." › SLIDE Luke 2:13-15 CSB 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." › SLIDE Luke 2:16-18 CSB 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. › SLIDE Luke 2:19-21 CSB 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told. 21 When the eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus-the name given by the angel before he was conceived. › SLIDE Luke 2:22-24 CSB 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord) 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons). › SLIDE Luke 2:25-26 CSB 25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel's consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Messiah. › SLIDE Luke 2:27-29 CSB 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, 29 Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. › SLIDE Luke 2:30-33 CSB 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation. 31 You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples- 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel. 33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. › SLIDE Luke 2:34-35 CSB 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary: "Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed-35 and a sword will pierce your own soul-that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." › SLIDE Luke 2:36-37 CSB 36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. › SLIDE Luke 2:38-40 CSB 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace was on him. From Where He Would Come › SLIDE Luke 2:1-3 CSB 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. › SLIDE Luke 2:4-5 CSB 4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. › SLIDE Luke 2:6-7 CSB 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 1. A decree was made in those days a. What days? The days Mary was pregnant with Jesus b. Cesar Augustus made a decree i. A formal statement, declaration command or law ii. Decrees were always recorded down iii. This decree and the one making it show the historical fact of the birth of Jesus 2. Jesus was born in the days of Cesar Augustus a. Officially made ruler of the Roman Empire in 27 B.C. and ruled until 14 A.D. i. Because Herod the Great's reign officially ended in 4 B.C. Jesus was born before that time b. Cesar Augustus was born Gaius Octavius i. His grandmother was the sister of Julius Cesar ii. He was adopted by Cesar in 45 B.C. and officially made an heir 1. Julius Cesar was killed within a year 2. Rome would be split between two others and Octavius a. Mark Antony b. Lepidus iii. For decades the Mediterranean world was filled with wars and violence and now with these three it became worse iv. Octavius and Antony pushed Lepidus out 1. 13 years Octavius and Antony existed as rivals until 31 B.C. 2. For a year their armies would assemble and position themselves a. Antony with the help of Cleopatra brought 500 warships, 100,000 foot soldiers and 12,000 cavalry b. Octavius had 400 warships, 80,000 infantry, and 12,000 horsemen 3. Octavius defeated the combined forces of Antony and Cleopatra at the battle of Actium becoming the sole ruler of the Roman world and took the title Cesar Augustus c. The authority of this man changed the chaos in a real way in three ways i. Peace through the defeat of his rivals ii. political and administrative skill iii. An abundance of riches from Egypt which would support the soldiers and help the Roman economy d. As great a man as Cesar Augustus was - he is still was only a man. i. His answers came at a huge price 1. Hundreds of years Romans were a republic a nation governed by laws not any man 2. No man was above the law, the Senate and army as well as political leaders lived in an arrangement 3. Octavius would change all of this ii. 27 B.C. he had the Roman Senate give him the title of Augustus 1. Which means sacred or exalted and until this point was only used of holy objects and places 2. It sort of hung a halo on Octavius's head so to speak iii. Roman would cease being a republic and became an empire and he was the emperor - the first emperor 1. Jesus would be born into this world 2. A world desperate for a savior - and living in the reign of a "political savior" 3. This decree ordered the first census to be taken a. Did you notice that it called this the first registration? This indicates that this wasnt the only one b. It was ordered in the time of Quirinius governing Syria i. Acts 5:37 mentions the next registration that takes place also in the governing of Quirinius in 6 AD ii. Ack did we just find a discrepancy within the Bible? 1. Ramsay has proven by inscriptions that Quirinius was twice in Syria and that Luke is correct here - Luke the Historian in the Light of Research 2. A Translators Handbook of the Gospel of Luke p 105 asserts that Quirinius acted as special representative of the emperor from 12 BC - AD 16 directly related to the administrative charge of overseeing the census- Also asserts he was twice governor from around 3-2 BC and AD 6-16 iii. Censuses happened every 14 years 1. Justin Martyr writing in the middle of the second century (a hundred years or more later) could look up the census Luke mentioned 2. from 20 AD until about 270 AD we possess the documents from the census if this held to the 14 years then the first census was 8 BC and that is the year that Jesus was born 4. Because of this decree each person would go to be registered in their home town - their ancestral town a. Joseph went to Bethlehem because he was of the house and family of David b. Two reasons for a census - Military might and taxes i. Jews were exempt from Military service so this was purely taxes c. There is no record but the belief and tradition states that Cesar Augustus to reduce the blow of the taxes i. By having to travel to their ancestral home the cost of taxes became the cost of seeing their loved ones and relatives whom they may not have seen for a while. 5. Joseph went from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Mary who was pregnant a. On the one side this makes sense to get Mary out of the snickers and whispers b. On the other hand Nazareth to Bethlehem was 80 miles i. How do you get a pregnant woman to be willing to walk or ride a donkey for 80 miles? ii. How do you fulfill a prophecy that says the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem if the mom is pregnant in Nazareth? › SLIDE Micah 5:2 CSB 2 Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times. › SLIDE Cesar Augustus may have ruled the decree - but God was overruling to accomplish His word c. Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem to have Jesus and then returning to Nazareth caused people to assume they knew where Jesus came from i. The Pharisees and Jews missed out on Jesus because they thought they knew where He was from 1. They only saw him as Jesus of Nazareth 2. They missed He was from Bethlehem 3. They certainly missed He was from Heaven › SLIDE Who Would Know First › SLIDE Luke 2:8-9 CSB 8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. › SLIDE Luke 2:10-12 CSB 10 But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger." › SLIDE Luke 2:13-14 CSB 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! › SLIDE Luke 2:15-17 CSB 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, › SLIDE Luke 2:18-20 CSB 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told. 1. In the same region - Bethlehem area near Jerusalem there were shepherds out in the fields a. These shepherds may have been Levites tending to the lambs for the passover sacrifices or just regular shepherds tending their flocks i. In their duties they are visited by an angel of the Lord - both awesome and terrifying b. The angel says do not be afraid for they bring good news and great joy i. Literally the angel Evangelized them - good news - envangelion or Gospel ii. This Gospel message they are told is for all the people 1. Jews and Gentiles alike - all people 2. The good news is this - in the city of David a Savior is born FOR YOU who is the Messiah, the Lord a. Soter - Savior - Jesus who will take away the sins of his people b. Christ - Messiah - Anointed of God c. Kyrios - Lord - God manifest in flesh 2. The sign for this truth would be a child born in Bethlehem wrapped tightly in cloth (not unusual) and lying in a manger (very unusual) 3. Perhaps the religious Jews of the time - the hardcore religious Jews - thought surely their great works and piety would ensure that if God would send a message they would be the first to receive it a. Certainly not Shepherds in a field i. Shepherds were the lowest class in society - highest example in the Bible - Jesus would call Himself the Great Shepherd › SLIDE Remember what the world sees you as and what God sees you as are very different b. Out of the blue on a night unexpected Shepherds would receive revelation and proclamation from God and it would be the greatest news of all time i. When a Savior, Messiah or Lord was coming who would be the first to know? 1. Lower class of society? 2. The whose who of upper society - the elite? ii. News of this unique birth were given not to the religious elite but humble shepherds faithful at their work › SLIDE Messiah's birth was not announced to the Religious Elite, but to Jewish outcasts 4. The Shepherds went at once to see what was told to them a. They heard the Lord and went to see it - what trust and obedience b. They also shared what they were told and all who heard were amazed c. They also went back to their work and back to where they came from i. They didnt wait up on a hill ignoring responsibility d. They also didnt go back unchanged - what they heard and saw forever changed them i. They glorified God and praised God for all they saw and heard 1. Gods word is trustworthy and they got to be witnesses to it. › SLIDE Who Would Recognize Him › SLIDE Luke 2:21-22 CSB 21 When the eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus-the name given by the angel before he was conceived. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord › SLIDE Luke 2:23-24 CSB 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord) 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons). › SLIDE Luke 2:25-27 CSB 25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel's consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, › SLIDE Luke 2:28-32 CSB 28 Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, 29 Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation. 31 You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples- 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel. › SLIDE Luke 2:33-35 CSB 33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary: "Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed-35 and a sword will pierce your own soul-that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." › SLIDE Luke 2:36-37 CSB 36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. › SLIDE Luke 2:38 CSB 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 1. A normal birth and a normal observance of ceremony and lawful requirements a. After 8 days Jesus was circumcised - his first identification with sinners b. They fulfilled the days of purification as instructed in the law i. 33 days after birth for a male ii. 66 days for a female c. They then were able to fulfill the next part of the requirements - which was to present Jesus at the temple i. They travelled 41 days after the birth of Jesus to Jerusalem (5.5 miles from Bethlehem) ii. They went to present Jesus to the Lord as He has commanded in His law › SLIDE Exodus 13:2 CSB 2 "Consecrate every firstborn male to me, the firstborn from every womb among the Israelites, both man and domestic animal; it is mine." › SLIDE Exodus 13:12 CSB 12 you are to present to the LORD every firstborn male of the womb. All firstborn offspring of the livestock you own that are males will be the LORD's. d. Finally they fulfilled the last part - sacrifice › SLIDE Leviticus 12:1-3 CSB 1 The LORD spoke to Moses: 2 "Tell the Israelites: When a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a male child, she will be unclean seven days, as she is during the days of her menstrual impurity. 3 The flesh of his foreskin must be circumcised on the eighth day. › SLIDE Leviticus 12:4 CSB 4 She will continue in purification from her bleeding for thirty-three days. She must not touch any holy thing or go into the sanctuary until completing her days of purification. › SLIDE Leviticus 12:6 CSB 6 "When her days of purification are complete, whether for a son or daughter, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. › SLIDE Leviticus 12:7 CSB 7 He will present them before the LORD and make atonement on her behalf; she will be clean from her discharge of blood. This is the law for a woman giving birth, whether to a male or female. › SLIDE Leviticus 12:8 CSB 8 But if she doesn't have sufficient means for a sheep, she may take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. Then the priest will make atonement on her behalf, and she will be clean." i. Mary sacrificed 2 turtle doves - indicating she didnt have the means to bring or procure a sheep - Showing that they may have been of meager means ii. This happened before the wise men came 1. They wouldnt have returned to Jerusalem after the warning from the angel to flee to Egypt 2. They wouldnt have offered a meager sacrifice after receiving such wealthy gifts 2. Jesus is recognized by two in the temple a. Simeon i. Who was told by the Holy Spirit he would not taste death until he saw the Messiah 1. Guided by the Spirit he entered the temple and he performed what was customary 2. He knew at once this was the one - because of the Holy Spirit a. After this Simeon was prepared to die b. He felt ready to die - not having witnessed any miracle from Jesus or having heard not one word uttered from His mouth, nothing remarkable in the parents or the child to mark Jesus out visibly - yet Simeon was ready to die › SLIDE Those who meet Jesus and recognize Him for who He is have no fear in death - for in Jesus death became a defeated foe ii. He prophesies 1. Salvation Prepared in the Presence of all peoples 2. A light for revelation to the Gentiles 3. Glory to your people Israel b. Joseph and Mary marvel at what was being said about him i. For thousands of years the Jews expected a Messiah who would deliver Israel and be for Israel ii. No one expected the Messiah to be for all people › SLIDE The light was not for the Jews only but for all people - Jesus is for all people without exception iii. Despite this glorious fact - Simeon then proclaims that this child is destined to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel 1. The arrogant, unrepentant and unbelieving would fall 2. The humble, broken, repentant, and believing would receive Jesus and rise 3. Exemplified in Peter and Judas - Peter repented and Judas despaired and in the thief that blsphemed and the other believed › SLIDE - David Guzik Jesus is like a magnet that is attractive to some and others are repelled by Him The way a person reacts to the Savior is a test of inward motives and affections › SLIDE John 3:20-21 CSB 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. 21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God." c. Anna the Prophetess i. She was about 103-105 years old 1. Married 7 years and widowed for 84 years ii. Never left the temple - serving God day and night fasting and prayers 1. Simple and yet deep way of serving God 2. A widow who knew pain and loss but not embittered by it a. Perhaps it was because she was a woman of worship and prayer? b. Sorrow can either harden us or soften us depending on how we respond and react to God iii. She lived in absolute devotion to God 1. She recognized the Messiah when she saw him in the temple 2. She then told everyone who would hear that the redemption they looked for was here their deliverer had come Only two people in the temple recognized who Jesus was - it was those who were advanced in age yet lived their lives devoted to God › SLIDE How He Would Come › SLIDE Luke 2:6-7 CSB 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. › SLIDE Luke 2:39-40 CSB 39 When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace was on him. 1. Jesus was born of a woman as a baby a. He would have to grow and develop as every other child does i. Mentally 1. Filled with wisdom a. ABCs b. Numbers c. common knowledge and necessary knowledge d. carpentry 2. Grew in wisdom ii. Physically 1. Walk 2. talk 3. play 4. work iii. Spiritually 1. Learned the Bible 2. Prayer 3. and walking with the Father 2. Jesus was born and laid in a manger a. The sign given to recognize Jesus would be a shock to Jews and even to us today i. A baby wrapped tightly in cloth - normal - lying in a manger - abnormal not expected unlikely for that to happen ii. Forget what you have in mind as a manger - it would be hewn out of stone and it would be dirty and unsanitary for a baby 1. It was for feeding animals and had their filth in it 2. Who would lie their baby in that???!?!? 3. How ridiculous for this to be the way the Messiah would arrive a. Savior Messiah and Lord would come as a helpless infant i. Vulnerable and weak ii. Born outside in the elements iii. Born to a poor family iv. Laid in a manger - no bed for him - he has to use a animals trough b. What Savior, Messiah and Lord would be laid in a manger? i. There is a Christmas musical called Angels Aware - I love this musical and its great for puppets too 1. It about Angels in heaven having a meeting called by Michael to tell them how Jesus would go to earth ii. There is a song in it called "If It Were Up To Me" and they imagine what they would come from heaven to earth like 1. A great hero someone everyone would know 2. The greatest of all time - the one and only of a kind - someone folks would stand in line to see 3. A mighty King who would own everything 4. The richest man around 5. A military man 6. He'd be a famous man more well known than Abraham 7. The greatest musician the world has ever seen a. They are all shocked to hear Jesus is going as a baby b. Just as the Jews were shocked when Jesus a MERE man claimed to be Messiah and God Conclusion The Man and the Birds by Paul Harvey The man to whom I'm going to introduce you was not a scrooge, he was a kind decent, mostly good man. Generous to his family, upright in his dealings with other men. But he just didn't believe all that incarnation stuff which the churches proclaim at Christmas Time. It just didn't make sense and he was too honest to pretend otherwise. He just couldn't swallow the Jesus Story, about God coming to Earth as a man. "I'm truly sorry to distress you," he told his wife, "but I'm not going with you to church this Christmas Eve." He said he'd feel like a hypocrite. That he'd much rather just stay at home, but that he would wait up for them. And so he stayed and they went to the midnight service. Shortly after the family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window to watch the flurries getting heavier and heavier and then went back to his fireside chair and began to read his newspaper. Minutes later he was startled by a thudding sound...Then another, and then another. Sort of a thump or a thud...At first he thought someone must be throwing snowballs against his living room window. But when he went to the front door to investigate he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. They'd been caught in the storm and, in a desperate search for shelter, had tried to fly through his large landscape window. Well, he couldn't let the poor creatures lie there and freeze, so he remembered the barn where his children stabled their pony. That would provide a warm shelter, if he could direct the birds to it. Quickly he put on a coat, galoshes, tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the doors wide and turned on a light, but the birds did not come in. He figured food would entice them in. So he hurried back to the house, fetched bread crumbs, sprinkled them on the snow, making a trail to the yellow-lighted wide open doorway of the stable. But to his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs, and continued to flap around helplessly in the snow. He tried catching them...He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around them waving his arms...Instead, they scattered in every direction, except into the warm, lighted barn. And then, he realized that they were afraid of him. To them, he reasoned, I am a strange and terrifying creature. If only I could think of some way to let them know that they can trust me...That I am not trying to hurt them, but to help them. But how? Because any move he made tended to frighten them, confuse them. They just would not follow. They would not be led or shooed because they feared him. "If only I could be a bird," he thought to himself, "and mingle with them and speak their language. Then I could tell them not to be afraid. Then I could show them the way to safe, warm...to the safe warm barn. But I would have to be one of them so they could see, and hear and understand." At that moment the church bells began to ring. The sound reached his ears above the sounds of the wind. And he stood there listening to the bells - Adeste Fidelis - listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. And he sank to his knees in the snow. Hebrews 4:15 CSB 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Communion › SLIDE 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 CSB 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, "This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:48 PM August 3, 2019.