Much is said about Jesus’ low-key birth. Small-town parents, strangers in Bethlehem, no vacancy, sleeping in the stable. Mary and Joseph were nobodies from nowhere. Unnoticed. But Jesus’ birth was no secret. The birth of John the Baptist six months prior was “talked about through all the hill country of Judea” (Luke 1:65-66). And since […]
Author: Paul Santhouse
Following Jesus • 18 / He Knew Jesus Before He Met Him
Read This: Luke 2:28-38 Imagine you’re fascinated by the end times. You spend years studying Daniel, Revelation, and all the other prophetic books. As your understanding grows, you see what’s coming. You understand how world events are lining up for history’s finale. One day God’s Spirit directs you to a certain place. He reveals that […]
Following Jesus • 17 / The Old Man
Read This: Luke 2:25-28 Picture Mary and Joseph as a young couple leaving town for the big city. It’s time to dedicate their baby at the Temple. As they make their way through the crowds, an elderly man approaches them and reaches out to hold their Baby. The man is Simeon, and he has a reputation. […]
Following Jesus • 16 / The Righteous Baby
Read This: Luke 2:22-24 Legal protocol requires more than one witness to confirm a matter. That’s why Luke takes time at the beginning of his gospel to feature several righteous witnesses. Several to verify the matter, and righteous to establish their testimony as reliable. Why such attention to verification? Think about the claims Luke was […]
Following Jesus • 15 / Naming Names
Read This: Luke 2:21 The Jews used names to describe a person’s character, role in the community, or relation to an event. Abraham was the father of multitudes. Jacob was renamed Israel — having power with God — after his night of wrestling with the angel (Genesis 32:28). Before Mary was even pregnant an […]