This is a wonderful example of persistent prayer. The kind of determined, tenacious, even stubborn prayer where we refuse to get out of the Lord’s face until He does something. In Luke 18: 1-8, Jesus tells the parable about the widow looking for justice who wore the judge down with her persistence. At the end of this story He instructs His disciples to have the same kind of unabashed audacity in prayer … to not give up.
Tag: exaltation of Jesus Christ
Matthew 2:11 ” On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”
The Magi came seeking the Messiah, and bringing with them, gifts…but very special gifts. These gifts were expensive luxuries of the day…fit for royal presents. But beyond that, they were also very symbolic in their meanings. The burning of frankincense symbolized prayers rising to heaven like the fragrant smoke it gave off… the prayers of Jesus interceding for us at the right hand of the Father. The myrrh was used for burials and symbolized death…Jesus’s death on the Cross for us. Finally, the gold was given to symbolize His royal status…and also for the very practical reason – His parents would soon need finances as they escaped to Egypt to flee from King Herod.
Isaiah 60: 3 ” Nations will come to Your light, and Kings to the brightness of Your dawn.”
The Magi traveled from afar…following the brightest star in the constellation they had ever witnessed. They knew that at the end of their journey they would find Him…the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And even today men still seek Him…Jesus Messiah.
Matthew 2: 4-5 ” When he had called together all the people’s Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. ‘In Bethlehem in Judea.’ they replied…”
When King Herod needed information, he went to the source. That’s why he called in the most intelligent and learned Jewish historians of the day…who in turn quoted the Prophet Micah as to the birth place of the Messiah. But we also have that same source today at our disposal, for the future has been foretold to us. And in Revelation 22:20 it is made quite plain…”Yes, I am coming soon.”
Malachi 3:1 ” See, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me.”
Malachi was speaking of the coming of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. The forerunner, John the Baptist, came preaching a very simple sermon…Repent! His message from the start was that someone much more important than he was soon coming, and everyone should ready themselves. John’s words ring true even today…Repent! For the time is short. Change your ways, for the King is coming!
John 17:24 ” Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory You have given Me because You loved Me before the creation of the world.”
As mere humans, we cannot now behold or truly understand the full glory and exaltation of Jesus Christ. This majesty and splendor, evident before the foundations of the universe was laid, shines forth as Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven. But someday soon, we’ll be able to behold His glory… face to face.
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