When I attended college, at Spring Arbor University in the 1980s, like the typical student, I changed my major a few times. Back then, I really didn’t know what to major in, so I studied what I both liked and knew that I could handle. I became a teacher certified in Secondary English and Music education. What I did know is that God guided my life.

Moses was a man of the Old Testament who was born a Hebrew, under an Egyptian death sentence for male babies. His mother made him a private little ark and cast it away upon the waters. Providence saved Moses when Pharaoh’s daughter, a princess of Egypt, had his the ark pulled from the Nile River. Moses grew up in the courts of the Pharaoh, with privilege, great wealth, and education. God’s providence kept him safe. (Exodus 1-2)

Jesus, the Son of God, was born to the tribe of Judah, in Bethlehem to a virgin. (Luke 1:26-37) Worried about his own power, King Herod implemented a death sentence for male babies. Then Joseph, Mary’s husband, had a dream in the night. An angel of the Lord warned him to get up and take Mary, the Lord’s mother, and baby Jesus, and flee to Egypt. They remained there five years until God called them out of Egypt and back to their original home in Nazareth. (Hosea 11:1) God saved His own Son, Joseph and Mary. Lord Jesus grew up to be the Messiah, the Sent One, in the home of a carpenter in an obscure town, under the care of an adoptive father. God’s providence had kept Him safe in humbleness. (Luke 2, Matthew 2)

Both men became what the Lord called them to be. Moses—a prince. Lord Jesus—a carpenter.

Both men became the leaders of their people. Moses—led his people out of physical bondage and Egypt. (Hosea 11:1)

Lord Jesus led those who followed Him out of spiritual bondage and slavery to the world.

Moses led his people around the wilderness, demonstrating God’s great miracles.

Lord Jesus led His people for three years, demonstrating God’s great miracles.

Moses died and God buried him. (Deuteronomy 34:1-8)

Lord Jesus died and God the Father had arranged for His burial through His providence. (Mark 15:42-47)

Moses lived on spiritually and was seen by Peter, James and John at the Lord’s transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-13)

Lord Jesus rose from the grave spiritually and physically in a glorified body and was seen by hundreds. (1Corinthians 15:6)

Moses is a type of Lord Jesus Who would come to earth. (Romans 5:14)

Why did God give these types long before Baby Jesus came?

To tell us to watch for Him. Some did. Simeon, Anna the prophetess, the three magi, prophets. .

Jesus’ first coming was that important. He altered the world, permanently.

There is so much turmoil happening in the world today. “Black lives matter (BLM). White lives matter. All people matter.” Even, “animal lives matter.”

But the only thing or person Who truly matters is Lord Jesus. All black, white, red, yellow and brown peoples are His. He is the Creator. (John 1:3-4; Genesis 1:1)

Nations rise and nations fall. Leaders die. Governments become corrupt. Governments are overrun.

But God still is. He does not change.

Before the Earth existed, He was.

Today He is still the great “I AM.” He oversees all things and is sovereign. It is a relief to know that He is in firm control.

No government nor organization will save us, the Church. No president nor elected official can be our savior. Look instead to Lord Jesus, Who sits upon the throne of Heaven.

For peace in this storm of many waves, look to The Lord. He saves. Ask Him to guide you through these trials. He is the only truth and peace that truly exists. Jesus matters first. May His will be done.

HOW THE CHURCH CAN HELP THE CHILDREN

If you’ve traveled to Israel on a Holy Land pilgrimage, you’ve no doubt visited Nazareth in the Lower Galilee. Lord Jesus grew up here, just about one block away from where my spouse also grew up.

When I visit Nazareth, I walk the streets, sidewalks and stairs, climbing higher and higher until I reach my mother-in-law’s home. The city sits atop five mountains and her house is built into the side of one. I like to walk instead of travel in a car because I can see the people, greet them, speak with them and take my time. My daily habit is to stop and pray in the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation built over Mary’s well. You can still drink from it. Up to the right of the well are stairs seen behind glass, those which Mary, the mother of Jesus would have used to descend to the well and fill her water jugs.

The church itself is about 600 years old and is our family church. My children were baptized here in deep golden bowls of water infused with oil, numerous family wedding ceremonies have been conducted inside, and final funeral ceremonies are held, including my father-in-law’s.

This church is a holy place, built to preserve a Biblical location. Here, the virgin Mary received a visit from the angel Gabriel, telling her that she would become the mother of the Savior. (Luke 1:26-38) At this time, the Jewish nation endured persecution at the hands of the Romans. They looked for a savior.

Beneath the church are tunnels and hidden caves where early Christians, persecuted, worshiped in secret. Passing through priestly gardens, my father-in-law once took me below through a cobbed web entrance to see this. Persecution of the early church pushed believers out of Jerusalem and into other places, taking the Gospel with them. (Acts 8:1)

Lord Jesus explained this to His disciples: “Remember the Word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:20) The Lord was persecuted throughout His ministry, tortured, and then crucified.

This is the life of a follower of Lord Jesus; it will not always be as a ship upon a calm balmy sea. Storms suddenly surf up!

Why? Why are believers hated so?

Lord Jesus stated, ““They have done this to fulfill the Word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’” (Psalm 69:4)

We are hated by the world because we are in the world, but NOT of it. We are from the Kingdom of Light, the Kingdom of Lord Jesus, and NOT the Kingdom of Darkness, the Kingdom of this world. (Colossians 1:12-13; Ephesians 2:2; 1John 5:19) The two kingdoms are at war with each other.

When you are attacked and hated, persecuted, even oppressed on every side, look to The Lord, Who understands well what you go through. He will help you. (Psalm 46:1)

My spouse’s family dates their faith back 2000 years. They have lived through many wars, racial conflicts, and religious attacks. Before my father-in-law went to Heaven, he had lived through 14 wars, each day prepared as if it was his last.

LOOK UP!

HOW THE CHURCH CAN HELP THE CHILDREN