In my book ('Ariel's Harmony of the Gospels') Dr Fruchtenbaum puts Matthew 2 (the arrival of the wise men / Persecution by Herod) categorically and chronologically after Christ birth, circumcision and presentation in the temple to Simeon and Hannah (Luke 2:22-38) and it makes a great deal of sense to me. It took a few weeks for word to get around. The parents waiting eight days before circumcision.
Theologically it works but in a way it messes up my Christmas story idea of the wise men walking into a barnyard scene the night of the birth with angels still singing in the background.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek... Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:" - Romans 1:16; 2:9-10 KJV
In one sense this is a fulfilment of this idea. Salvation, Jesus, was presented to these older Israelites first and then the wise men came and saw Him afterwards.
I love when the Bible breaks my structures. Ideas can crystallize but the Bible is a living book. Just being in the Bible gives God this wonderful opening to access our soul by His Spirit in an objective way.
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." - John 14:26 ESV
What a great promise for those who are available to be Spirit taught. God will bring what He has taught us back. He uses people, preaching, reading, meditating and other methods to teach us but once we have it we can never lose it. God can access it at any moment and bring it 'out of storage' for us to communicate when the moment is right.
--
No comments:
Post a Comment