The Christ, the Son of the Living God

At the time of Jesus' birth, most Jewish people were able to recite their genealogy (family tree) all the way back to Adam.  The scriptures clearly state that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David of Israel. (Jeremiah 23:5-6; Isaiah 11:1-2; Psalm 89 3-4, 18, 26-37; Acts 2:29-30)   Therefore, it was important that Jesus’ genealogy show that he was a descendant of David.

The genealogy of Jesus of Nazareth is provided for us in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 1, and the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 3.  There are, however, significant differences between the two.  In Matthew's Gospel the father of Jesus' stepfather, Joseph, is listed as “Jacob.”  In Luke's Gospel it says that Joseph's father was “Heli.”  This is because the genealogy listed in Luke is actually the genealogy of Mary, Jesus’ mother.  Heli was Joseph's father-in-law, and Heli was regarded as Joseph's father culturally.

The significance cannot be overstated.  If Joseph was Jesus' biological father, then Jesus cannot be the Messiah.  Matthew 1:11 shows that Joseph was a descendent of Jeconiah (a.k.a. Jehoiachin) a King in the linage of David who was so evil that he was cursed (2Kings 24:8; 1Chronicles 3:16; Jeremiah 22:18-30), and no descendant of Jeconiah could inherit the throne of David.  The only way that Jesus can be "the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God," (Matthew 16:16) is through the genealogy of Mary.

Those who would deny the Immaculate Conception, and the virgin birth of Jesus of Nazareth, by doing so also deny Peter's witness that He is the Messiah.  “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34 NIV)

 

 

Joseph's Obedience

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about:

His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph,

but before they came together,

she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law,

and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace,

he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this,

an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife,

because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,

because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

”The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel”* (which means God with us).

When Joseph woke up,

he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him

and took Mary home as his wife.

But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son.

And he gave him the name Jesus.

(Matthew 1:18-25 NIV)

* Isaiah 7:14

https://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/1.htm

The Annunciation

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

And having come in, the angel said to her,

“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you;

blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38 NKJV)

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/luke/1.htm

The Origin of the Universe

A couple of years ago, we got tired of the cable TV companies.  They raised their rates over and over, and what we were getting wasn’t worth what we were paying.  We agreed to start streaming our TV.  The “quality” of the programming is almost as good, and streaming has saved us a lot of money.

Our streaming service offers the tubi channel free of charge, and free is important to us concerning television.  I am very reluctant to endorse or recommend anything in Lamp in a Corner, especially regarding television entertainment.  There is too much objectionable content on television that might lead someone astray (myself included).  I watch television, but I try to be very selective about it.  In many cases you might as well pipe an open sewer into your home.

I ran across a documentary on tubi, however, that I would like to call to your attention.  It is called “The Privileged Planet.”  Lad Allen wrote, directed, and produced it, and the actor (narrator) is John Rhys-Davies.  The film is not a “religious” polemic.  Rather, it uses a scientific approach to demonstrate how observation of the universe shows evidence that it was created by intelligent design rather than by a random, unplanned combination of events. 

The program is very well made, and it is interestingly presented in terms that the average person can understand. Those scientists who are featured are credible, and it seems that they are sincere about the information they provide.  The dvd is available on Amazon. 

I am not prone to using empirical data to “prove” the Bible.  I believe that it is impossible to know God except by faith. (Hebrews 11:6)  We should not, however, ignore evidence from observation, experience, or research that supports what the Bible provides for us. 

Christians have long said that ‘You can’t explain creation without a creator.’  Although true, it is an argument that is often dismissed by those who are reluctant to consider the Christian point of view.  The Privileged Planet makes it more difficult to dismiss intelligent design.

 

 

Peace on Earth

The Christmas hymn, I heard the Bells on Christmas Day, was adapted from a poem (Christmas Bells) written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas in 1863.  It was a time of great personal difficulty for Longfellow, who was mourning the death of his wife and whose son had been seriously wounded in the Civil War.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace of earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th'unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:

"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong, and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

From: Baptist Hymnal, 1991

https://hymnary.org/text/i_heard_the_bells_on_christmas_day

In today’s world, Russia is massing troops on its border with Ukraine and China is sending its warplanes into Taiwan’s airspace almost daily.  Both countries believe that their legitimate national interests support their actions.

The United States is not bound by treaty to defend Taiwan, but our position since 1948 has been that the Taiwanese people have the right to self-determination, and our stance has been to support them.  The U.S. has considered it to be in our national interest to resist the People’s Republic of China if they use force to extend their control over Taiwan.

In 1994 the United States, Great Britain, and the Russian Federation gave “security assurances” to Ukraine in exchange for the dismantling of her nuclear weapons.  Now, the Ukrainians have no nukes and very little security.  It is unclear whether the agreement obligates America to defend Ukraine militarily.  However, since 1994, the United States has given assurances that it would help Ukraine should Russia invade her.  We have provided Ukraine with material and financial aid, so far.

Not to be outdone, the Iranians continue to fuel terrorism around the world and especially in the Middle East.  They are enriching fissionable material at an alarming speed, and it is clear that they intend to possess deliverable nuclear weapons in the near future.

When Jesus was born, angels appeared to shepherds in the hills near Bethlehem: 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-14 NIV)

 https://biblehub.com/niv/luke/2.htm

The song is correct, God is not dead or asleep.  He is in control.  If we turn to Him, repent of our sins, humble ourselves and pray, He will heal our land. (2Chronicles 7:14)

Are we people that a holy God can look upon with favor?  Only if He sees the righteousness of Christ in the place of our sin.  Ask Jesus to be your savior, and then follow Him.  Pray for peace.

Thanksgiving 2021

 

"Jehovah-Jireh"

Jehovah Jireh
My provider
His grace is sufficient
For me, for me, for me

Jehovah Jireh
My provider
His grace is sufficient
For me

My God shall supply all my needs
According to His riches in glory
He will give His angels
Charge over me

Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me

Jehovah Jireh
My provider
His grace is sufficient
For me, for me, for me

Jehovah Jireh
My provider
His grace is sufficient
For me

My God shall supply all my needs
According to His riches in glory
He will give His angels
Charge over me

Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me

My God shall supply all my needs
According to His riches in glory
He will give His angels
Charge over me

Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me

My God shall supply all my needs
According to His riches in glory
He will give His angels
Charge over me

Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me

 

 

"Give Thanks"

 

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us" …

We give thanks to You oh Lord
We give thanks

 

Lyrics from “Give Thanks”

an album recorded live by

Don Moen

 

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/donmoen/givethanks.html

  

Today, let us set aside any differences we may have and give thanks to Almighty God for our blessings; remembering that foremost among these is salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  Thank you Lord.

Involuntary Organ Harvesting in the People's Republic of China

If a free people want to keep their freedom, they must do what they can to keep themselves informed.  Not everyone in the United States does so.  A great many people are content to let somebody else handle things, while they play games and text their friends on their cell phones.

Our broadcast and cable news media give us short “segments” on the events of the day, which are “spun” to pander to, or manipulate, our point of view.  We hear about the things that a few corporations who own the media want us to know about.

Many of us, if we are interested at all, are content to get spoon-fed our news.  Some of us look to other sources of information.  We read online news websites, blogs, and social media.  Occasionally, we look to print media.  Some of the things we are exposed to are reliable.  Many are not.  Discernment is needed to separate the wheat from the chaff.  As Ronald Reagan once said, “Trust but verify.”

I was shocked recently when I came across an article in, The Epoch Times, which reported that the internal organs of living “prisoners of conscience” in Chinese prison camps were being harvested without the consent of the donor.[1] I have found The Epoch Times to be a good source of reliable information.  They are solidly opposed to the Chinese Communist Party, however, and many people are not familiar with the paper.  Therefore, I did a quick review of other articles on the internet dealing with the subject.

In brief, I found that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has been accused of involuntarily removing the internal organs of prisoners in prison camps for use in organ transplants in China and for sale in China and internationally.  The PRC has admitted that this happened in the past, but they deny it is happening now.  Recent investigations, however, have found credible evidence that the practice is ongoing.  Profits from the sale of these vital organs have been as much as a billion dollars a year, and it has been going on for decades.

Many of the victims have died.  The primary prisoner groups victimized have been the Falun Gong and the Uighur Muslims.  There have been reports that members of Christian house churches and Tibetans have also been victims.

Some of the reports I am going to list allege that the “prisoners of conscience” must do forced labor.  It is reported that they are beaten and tortured.   

For more information, please refer to the following links: 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/china-forcefully-harvests-organs-detainees-tribunal-concludes-n1018646

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewelinaochab/2021/07/08/united-nations-concerned-about-organ-harvesting-in-china/?sh=1a05d9b342dd

https://www.healtheuropa.eu/governments-must-act-on-chinas-forced-organ-harvesting/105874/

https://www.healtheuropa.eu/forced-organ-harvesting-one-of-the-worst-mass-atrocities-of-this-century/97035/

https://www.zee5.com/articles/brussels-press-club-holds-conference-on-forced-organ-harvesting-by-china

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/in-the-face-of-criticism-china-has-been-cleaning-up-its-organ-transplant-industry/2017/09/14/d689444e-e1a2-11e6-a419-eefe8eff0835_story.html

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/liver-on-sale-for-160k-uyghur-organs-harvested-in-china-s-black-markets-101635556908589.html

https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-rights-experts-claim-chinese-minorities-targeted-in-organ-harvesting/

Write your senators and congressmen.  This is one outrage too many.  We must urge our government to phase out all trade, cultural exchanges, and all but the minimum diplomatic relations with the PRC, starting now.

 

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[1] Corr, Anders. “Forced Organ Harvesting in China Is Medical Genocide for Profit.” The Epoch Times (Northwest Edition). 29 Sept.-5 Oct. 2021, p. A13.