On that glorious day of our Savior's birth, someone humbly was a part of His coming to save.
Jesus was at a wedding with His mother and His disciples. In the course of the celebration the wine rant out. Mary knowing clearly who her Son was went to Him and told Him, “The have no wine” and Jesus said to her “Woman what do I have to do with you, My hour has not come.” John 2:3-4
Jesus is at this moment separating Himself from His mother. I have heard it said this is the moment He points out she is no longer a controlling factor in His life, that her significance is over. But there is more. Note what happens next.
“His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you do it.’” John 2:5 There were some water pots and Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water” John 2:7 They drew some out and found it had become wine. This is the beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana, but there is more. Even though He was establishing who He is at that moment, He also honored His mother. Jesus was obeying the fifth commandment to honor His parents. Mary is not insignificant in His life.
It is clear how significant Mary is to her Son, God’s Son. While she is not to be worshiped there are two scriptures that show what she means to Him.
An angel came to Mary and said “Hail favored one! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28 She is the favored one of the Lord, no other has received such a blessing, to be the mother of God’s Son. She is considered the most blessed among women.
Then just before Jesus said His last words He made sure His mother was taken care of. “When Jesus therefore saw His mother and the disciple whom He had loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household.” John 19:26-27
Jesus’ last concern before giving Himself up to death was for His mother, that she be cared for and gave His final instruction on that. Jesus, creator of the universe, honored His mother. He did not worship her, but He did honor her. We should honor her as well.
Have a Merry Christmas
By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist
Read Brian's columns at:
http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp
Author of:
In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:
Kindle
Nook Book
Google
If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Xulon Press
If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
Read Brian's columns at:
http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp
Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
Right of Way
Where ever you drive in America there are rules of the road where someone has the right away depending on the situation. These rules are meant to create an even flow of traffic. Most drivers know the rules and obey. Some out of fear of a ticket and others who know it is the right thing to do.
Beyond these rules of order on the road we find three kinds of people. Most follow the rule; a second type yields the right away on a close situation; the third steal the right away whenever they can.
There is a route I take to work where I see all three daily. There are a number of intersections where one direction always has the right away, no stop required. The crossing traffic has a stop sign and by law must wait for an opening to proceed. In the morning traffic is quite heavy and it is stop and go. If the vehicles with the right away continued to take it the cross traffic would never move.
What has developed over time is a process where every other car allows someone at the stop sign to go. This alternating yielding allows for a better flow of traffic. We see people adapting for the good of all. No one is stuck waiting for an opening. These are the yielders.
Some in this situation do not allow a cross trafficker to go. That is their right and they take it. Then there are some who go right through the stop, no matter what. One morning I saw four cars in a row force their way through. These people feel it is their right and everyone must stop for them.
This is the way of life. Some simply follow the rules and move through life taking nothing extra and giving nothing extra. These people go through life with nothing much in return. Some even complain, I follow the rules and get nothing for it.
The right away stealers move through their life taking all they can get. And it seems to work out for them. Some earn a great deal of money on the backs of others. Are they successful? Depends on how you define success. Many of these people complain that they don’t have enough, they are never satisfied.
Then come the third group, they give their rights away for the benefit of others. This must be a choice, I am not talking about socialism where it id forced. These people are typically satisfied with life, no matter the challenges or trials. They will give credit to others for their successes. They are willing to share all rewards for success. These people make the best of tough situations.
As human beings we all have some of all three in us. The key is which of these styles is dominant in your life and which of these styles honor our Savior? I hope Christ is your Savior, if not think about His style.
As creator of all God has the total right away to do whatever He wishes. As sinners He has the right to put us to death. Don’t think you are a sinner? I challenge you to make an honest review of your life.
So Jesus comes into the picture and show His style. He came to earth to teach us and show by example how to deal with the right away. First He showed us to show compassion by the way He showed love through healing. He taught us how to treat others by not judging, but in forgiving. He taught there are consequences for not following that path. He taught us to give and to help others out of love.
Ultimately, when faced with false charges and condemned to die, He did not demand His rights. He surely could have stopped it with one word, but did not. He is the ultimate example of giving away the right away, that others may proceed into a right relationship with God. A relationship we forfeited when we chose to sin. We are cleansed when He had the right to condemn. Christ yielding the right away to all who would receive. It is not something we can take, we must receive. Those who go through life neither taking or giving also miss the boat, because they do not see they actually have no right to proceed unless they accept the yield from Christ.
Through our gracious Lord and Savior we have the right to take the right away He has given through His sacrifice. Proceed and have everlasting life, a life we have not earned, but have been given out of love.
God Bless
By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist
Read Brian's columns at:
http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp
Author of:
In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:
Kindle
Nook Book
Google
If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Xulon Press
If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
Read Brian's columns at:
http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp
Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.
Beyond these rules of order on the road we find three kinds of people. Most follow the rule; a second type yields the right away on a close situation; the third steal the right away whenever they can.
There is a route I take to work where I see all three daily. There are a number of intersections where one direction always has the right away, no stop required. The crossing traffic has a stop sign and by law must wait for an opening to proceed. In the morning traffic is quite heavy and it is stop and go. If the vehicles with the right away continued to take it the cross traffic would never move.
What has developed over time is a process where every other car allows someone at the stop sign to go. This alternating yielding allows for a better flow of traffic. We see people adapting for the good of all. No one is stuck waiting for an opening. These are the yielders.
Some in this situation do not allow a cross trafficker to go. That is their right and they take it. Then there are some who go right through the stop, no matter what. One morning I saw four cars in a row force their way through. These people feel it is their right and everyone must stop for them.
This is the way of life. Some simply follow the rules and move through life taking nothing extra and giving nothing extra. These people go through life with nothing much in return. Some even complain, I follow the rules and get nothing for it.
The right away stealers move through their life taking all they can get. And it seems to work out for them. Some earn a great deal of money on the backs of others. Are they successful? Depends on how you define success. Many of these people complain that they don’t have enough, they are never satisfied.
Then come the third group, they give their rights away for the benefit of others. This must be a choice, I am not talking about socialism where it id forced. These people are typically satisfied with life, no matter the challenges or trials. They will give credit to others for their successes. They are willing to share all rewards for success. These people make the best of tough situations.
As human beings we all have some of all three in us. The key is which of these styles is dominant in your life and which of these styles honor our Savior? I hope Christ is your Savior, if not think about His style.
As creator of all God has the total right away to do whatever He wishes. As sinners He has the right to put us to death. Don’t think you are a sinner? I challenge you to make an honest review of your life.
So Jesus comes into the picture and show His style. He came to earth to teach us and show by example how to deal with the right away. First He showed us to show compassion by the way He showed love through healing. He taught us how to treat others by not judging, but in forgiving. He taught there are consequences for not following that path. He taught us to give and to help others out of love.
Ultimately, when faced with false charges and condemned to die, He did not demand His rights. He surely could have stopped it with one word, but did not. He is the ultimate example of giving away the right away, that others may proceed into a right relationship with God. A relationship we forfeited when we chose to sin. We are cleansed when He had the right to condemn. Christ yielding the right away to all who would receive. It is not something we can take, we must receive. Those who go through life neither taking or giving also miss the boat, because they do not see they actually have no right to proceed unless they accept the yield from Christ.
Through our gracious Lord and Savior we have the right to take the right away He has given through His sacrifice. Proceed and have everlasting life, a life we have not earned, but have been given out of love.
God Bless
By Brian David Knapp Author and Columnist
Read Brian's columns at:
http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp
Author of:
In The Hands Of The Father: My Life With God
Now available in ebook format:
Kindle
Nook Book
If you prefer hard cover or paperback use the following links:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Xulon Press
If you cannot afford a copy email me at bdknapp@yahoo.com and I will get send you a copy of my writings contained in the book. God Bless.
Read Brian's columns at:
http://www.examiner.com/faith-and-culture-in-los-angeles/brian-knapp
Please read my other writings listed on the right of this page or read my columns. I periodically add writings in both places. My only goal is to share what it means to have a amazing relationship with God and how I have achieved that in the hope you to will be able to start on that path. It is a journey that I am still on, join me.
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