1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Emphasis mine)
Jesus has always caused trouble! Even when He was born, in a time with no TV, internet, or cell phone communication, the news of His manifesting spread across the known world! God has His ways of getting the Word out! And the enemy wants to stop it! You can almost gauge how true a visitation of the Lord is by the opposition that is stirred against it.
I had never noticed the second part of verse three before: "and all Jerusalem with him." According to historians, Jerusalem at the time of Christ's birth had a population between 30,000- 50,000, not counting the pilgrims who would come to worship. Even if this passage is only referring to the leaders of the city that is still a significant number. Imagine, everyone stirred up and troubled by what should have brought the greatest of rejoicing to the Jews: their Messiah had come!
Recently, our Governor of Texas, called for a solemn assembly, a day of prayer and fasting, at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. I thought that the stadium would be filled to overflowing, just from the Christians who live in the city of Houston. Instead, there was an outcry against the event, not just from non-Christians, which was to be expected, but from Christians whom I have had considerable respect for. The judgement and presupposition of what it was all about was astounding! Instead of rejoicing, coming to see, and to let their voices and prayers be heard, they condemned. They were "troubled." I have been particularly sad about the voices of condemnation. But this passage helps me to realize that some things will never change until Jesus returns, and His Kingdom is once and for all established.
The videos can be seen at http://theresponseusa.com/ through the end of August. I hope that if you read this blog, you will check it out for yourself. Just imagine, if the news spread through the city of Jerusalem without video archives, how many in the country and around the world could be affected in our time!
Blessings and Peace, Anna Marie
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