12/02/12

Returning to our fathers

Luke 2:4 - And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)


In today's message Luke speaks of the lineage of David. In his document (Gospel) of Jesus Luke records a lineage, but this lineage is not of Joseph but of Mary. And that is why from David this lineage differs to the lineage recorded in Matthew.

In the English translation it is given 'the son of' but in the original script these words do not exist (therefore written in italic) but written just as 'of'. Heli was the father of Mary and the father in law of Joseph.

Luke 2:22-38
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was of Heli,
24 Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was of Joseph,
25 Which was of Mattathias, which was of Amos, which was of Naum, which was of Esli, which was of Nagge, (it is the same right up to Adam and God)...

Luke records the legal relationship. Joseph being married to Mary became a part of the family of Heli. Wearing of the ring resembles the rights the person has into the family and during marriage is not between the two getting married but between the family and the person coming into the family.

When Jesus gave us authority in His Name and when He called us His brothers we too are become part of His family and thus become of Abraham. It is faith that brings us into the family of Christ and it is faith that keeps us in the family. But if we reject this faith then like son in the parable of the Prodigal Son lost his sonship so also we too will lose our sonship. We may still be sinners but it is our faith that links us to our spiritual family. That is why it is written that by our faith in Jesus Christ we are saved, because after death we are gathered to our fathers like those from Abraham onwards who walked in the way of the Lord were gathered unto their people. The sacrifice of Jesus saves us such that even though we do not walk in the ways of the Lord and are sinners yet His Blood saves us; it is faith that keeps His Blood over us.

In today's message Joseph belonged to the house of David therefore returned when the time came, so also we all will one day return to our fathers when the time comes. This gathering too will be temporary until we all are judged and enter Heaven when Jesus comes.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, by your sacrifice You cancelled the curse of Hell and even though we are not perfect or have sinned yet we are saved. We are gathered unto our fathers by our faith in You. Holy Spirit help us walk in You so that we return to our Father in Heaven when Jesus comes...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Genesis 25:8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.

Genesis 35:29 And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Genesis 49:33 And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.

Numbers 20:24 Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.

Deuteronomy 32:48-50
48 And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,
49 Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession:
50 And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people:

Luke 16:22-23
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Acts 13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

Acts 7:59-60
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept

Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.


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