Lucas 2
John Phillips · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 2
Phillips - When the wise men came, they were guided by a star. The humble shepherds were directed to a stable. Signs had been given often enough in olden times-seas turned to blood, the sun standing still, the shadow on the sundial halting and moving backward contrary to nature-such signs as had been seen before would be doubly appropriate now. But no! A Babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger! Who but God would have thought of such a sign? (See context in Exploring the Gospel of Luke) Bruce Barton - The shepherds were not told to look in a palace or in a wealthy home—indeed, they would not have gotten past the gates if they had. But they could go to the poor stable, receive acceptance from a poor couple, and discover the miracle baby. (See context Life Application New Testament Commentary) Jesus had a most humble beginning in keeping with David's prophetic words in Psalm 22:1-31 But I am a worm and not a man, A reproach of men and despised by the people. (Ps 22:6) Comment: Warren Wiersbe (Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament) adds that Psalm 22:6 is surely a description that applies "to our Savior. “I am a worm and not a man” is a forgotten “I AM” statement that speaks of how little value the leaders of Israel and the Roman officials placed on Jesus of Nazareth. A WORM is a creature of the ground, helpless, frail, and unwanted....As mysterious as is the figure of the King of glory (Ps 24:7-10) condescending to become like a mere WORM, the picture is even more profound when we examine the original language. The Hebrew word for WORM is TOLA, which most scholars associate with a CRIMSON WORM (Coccus Ilicis) that in ancient times was crushed to procure its blood-red SCARLET dye (Hebrew for "scarlet" is same word TOLA), the SCARLET dye used to adorn the "ten curtains" of the Tabernacle (Ex 26:1), "the screen for the (one) doorway of the" Tabernacle (Ex 26:36, cp "I am the door" Jn 10:9), the Veil separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies (Ex 26:31, cp Jesus' cry with a loud voice, yielding up His Spirit and the Veil of the temple tearing from top to bottom, opening "a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His [torn] flesh" - Mt 27:50-51, Heb 10:19-20) and the beautiful garments of the high priest (Ex 28:5-6, Jesus became our "merciful and faithful high priest" Heb 2:17). Indeed, how deep is the mystery of these OT uses of TOLA which depict a WORM in Ps 22:6 and in 33 OT passages (most in Exodus) depict the blood-red SCARLET material which foreshadowed the Messiah, even His work of redemption on the Cross! (Note - It is also notable that tola is figuratively used as symbol of one who is insignificant in Isaiah 41:14 and Job 25:6. How much more incredible that Jesus referred to Himself as a "tola!") And little did the Roman soldiers comprehend the deep significance of the SCARLET robe they placed on Christ, mocking Him with their cry "Hail, King of the Jews" (Mt 27:28-29)! And so we see the Holy One of Israel Who was "made for a little while lower than the angels" (Heb 2:9), then even lower than man, and yes finally made like a mere TOLA, a helpless "crimson worm," a WORM that was crushed beneath the load of our sin, "having become a curse for us." (Gal 3:13) "Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut His glories in, When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the creature’s sin." (I. Watts) And so it should not surprise us to see the Spirit use the Hebrew word TOLA to picture our SIN! In Isaiah 1:18 Jehovah gives the universal invitation "Come now, and let us reason together. Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow. Though they are red like CRIMSON (Hebrew = TOLA!), they will be like wool." In a display of God's amazing, mysterious grace, the Spirit chose the same Hebrew word (TOLA) to depict MESSIAH and SIN! Indeed Paul explains this deep mystery, writing that the Father "made Him Who knew no sin to be SIN on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2Cor 5:21) When Christ was crushed by the weight of our sins, like a crushed crimson worm (TOLA), He shed His blood, that our sins might be covered by His crimson flow and we might be forever clothed in Christ's "garments of salvation, wrapped with His robe of righteousness." (Isaiah 61:10). These deep truths recall the original words of Isaac Watts' hymn "Alas! and did my Savior bleed, And did my Sovereign die! Would He devote that sacred head, For such a WORM as I?" And the answer is a resounding "Yes!" His crimson blood for our crimson sin, that we might be washed whiter than snow! "Hallelujah What a Savior! Thank You God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Amen" (Click for full article - Psalm 22:6 - I Am A Worm) How Deep the Father's Love for Us by Stuart Townend How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure That He should give His Only Son, to make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turned His face away As wounds which mar the Chosen One, bring many sons to glory Behold the Man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life; I know that "It is Finished!" I will not boast in anything: no gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ; His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom Steven
Lucas 2
Phillips says "God announced an amnesty and made an offer of peace to a lost world." “Let God have all the glory, so we may have the peace.” -- John Trapp Trites writes that "The NLT’s translation is to be preferred to the KJV’s familiar “good will toward men,” which is based on later and inferior manuscripts. The NLT reading is supported by excellent textual evidence." (Cornerstone Bible Commentary) KJV translation says "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Do you see how this might be misleading? God's peace is only bestowed on those who believe, for they are the only ones who can please Him. Hebrews 11:6+ says "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."