Joining Opposites

It was stated, at the end of yesterday’s offering that we were embarking on a various week with the men from the East. Yes, we are referring to the Magi or the three wise men. However, I’m sure that you had no clue that we were going to be viewing them in conjunction with three women. Indeed, the title for this discourse is apt, as we are literally looking at what are opposites, to receive more wisdom and understanding in our own daily walk with the Lord.

May we, as we walk along with our Lord, in the revealing of His Word, find renewed comfort, fortifying strength, gracious pardon and unmeasurable grace, in and through the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Here are two statements of fact which we all know to be true.

At Jesus’ death, three people, women, have set out to see Jesus.
At Jesus’ birth, three people, men, have set out to see Jesus.

Right before us are obvious opposites, but opposites nonetheless, which we would not normally associate, or put together. In this wise, we are being taken through this various, multi-coloured path, which will bring us huge spiritual benefits.

To introduce us, or usher us into the throes of what is before us, we are invited to look at the word LET.

The word, let, has many meanings. It is a very little, yet a powerfully mighty word. When you think of the word, let, in Biblical pictures, do you think of some of these familiar images also?

In the Creation Story- Can you hear God in Creation and how He, Almighty God, powerfully speaks the word, let, all through His Spoken Creation? Here is one of a various number of lets. Then God said, Let us make man in our image, in our likeness. Genesis 1: 26a

In the Nativity Story – After God, on the night of the Birth of His Son, Jesus, visits shepherds in the fields, through His angel, the shepherds have one united response. Listen to them. Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Luke 2: 15b KJV

In the Transfiguration Story - Jesus has selected to take Peter, James and John with Him as He is being transfigured. They see Jesus transfigured before their very eyes and the appearance of Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus. Peter, obviously beside himself, says this to Jesus. Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Matthew 17: 4b NKJV

In the Discipleship Story – As Jesus is going along the way, different individuals are asking to follow Him. One particular man whom Jesus called to follow Him, accepted Jesus’ invitation. He never declined. All he asked Jesus was for some time to go and bury his father. Jesus said to him, Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God. Luke 9: 60 NKJV

We took a little time to highlight how the word, let, is used by God, by Jesus and by Jesus’ disciples. There is merit in having this peek, for it shows us the power that can be derived in this little word, in the mouth of God. We also see its versatility in the many and various meanings it proudly carries.

However, for our purposes, we shall use the meaning of the word, let, which is so often seen and heard in racket games, such as lawn tennis. The umpire calls out LET, when a player serves a ball and that ball clips the net, or touches the net, but falls inside the correct place. Yes, the loud, quick call of, LET is called and the player is given another chance or opportunity to serve again.

In this meaning, this understanding, we come as servants of Jesus, in His work of service. We come listening for our Lord’s, let, calls, where, after we have faltered, gone foul or not been pleasing in our service to Him, we return with penitent hearts and receive His forgiveness. We are forgiven and our loving, pardoning Lord and Master, gives us another opportunity to serve Him again.

Our God is a pardoning God. Here are two separate passages of Scripture, which confirm this fact about our God. We turn to a minor prophet. Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. Micah 7: 18. We now turn to a major prophet and the sentiments are the same about our God being a pardoning God. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. Isaiah 55: 7. How can we not fall on our knees and bow low before our pardoning Lord? There is none like Him, who wants to forgive us and use us again in His service.

Thank You Lord for unmeasurably, undeserving grace. Amen!

We, anxiously and without reserve, are ready to receive our LET. This is brought to us under three observations, as the three women and three men are Looking for Jesus; Expecting to see Jesus; Tracking Jesus.

As has been stated previously, three women are seeking Jesus and three men are seeking Jesus. Both the women and the men are followers of Jesus, servants of Jesus, but at opposite ends of His life. If two is company and three is a crowd, then two crowds, coming to serve Jesus, have brought us unarguable, convincing proof that Jesus was not just real, but that He was a real human person. If Jesus were only a Spirit, if He were simply Divine, of heaven alone, then He could never have been born of a woman, neither could have died upon a tree. Jesus our Brother was born, lived and died.