Kenneth Winter's Blog

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In these days of my life i find myself reflecting on the fact that God has blessed me with a godly heritage. i was raised by parents that loved the LORD and reflected Him not only in what they said, but also in the way they lived. My family intentionally made certain that i came to an awareness of Christ from a young age. My paternal grandparents hosted a Bible Club in their home for many years so that their grandchildren and other children in the neighborhood could hear the stories of the Bible and learn God’s Word.

My paternal great grandfather was a homebuilder and developer in our family’s homestead city of Williamsport, PA, and some of his most significant projects were the building of ten large churches in several Pennsylvania cities, a Bible conference center outside Milton, PA, a site for the annual Easter Sunrise service in Williamsport, etc. As a child growing up, i benefited in my spiritual nurture from the work he had done, even though he had gone to be with the LORD several years before i was born.

Over twenty years ago, while attending a family reunion, i saw evidence of how my great-great-great grandparents and their siblings prayed for the generations of their family that would come after them. And i saw how these folks not only had a personal relationship with Christ that they lived out, but also that they were burdened to see that their children, their children’s children, and the children that would follow, would also have that same personal relationship. They knew that a relationship with Christ was not simply passed from one generation to the next—it was the choice and decision of each individual. But each generation must do all it can to cultivate and nurture that relationship. i do not take lightly the great gift i have received from the LORD of a godly heritage, nor do i take lightly the responsibility i have to “pay it forward”.

With all of that heritage, i still drifted from the LORD. And it was thirty-four years ago that i settled my relationship with Christ and surrendered my life afresh to Him. i knew that my relationship could not be based upon that of my parents, my grandparents, my great grandparents, or any of the generations before them. It was a choice and a commitment i needed to make. And it is a choice that my children have needed to make. And it is one my grandchildren and their children will need to make. Each generation is responsible for their own choice, but each of us is also responsible to nurture those future generations.

The LORD repeatedly, through Moses and Joshua, told the Israelite people to teach “these things” to their children and grandchildren that they would know the way in which they must walk. But at this point in the history of the Israelites(1) (basically the grand and great grandchildren of Joshua and his generation), a generation had grown up that did not acknowledge God. God’s people no longer knew or followed Him! And it is chilling to see how quickly that occurred. A people that had seen His mighty works and walked intimately in His presence unlike those before or since, were now divorced of a knowledge of Him or relationship with Him.

As i ponder that huge separation that occurred, it prompts me to ask these questions of Joshua’s generation and his children’s generation. And at the same time to ask myself, and my children—and you, if you are a follower of Christ:

1.    Did they walk with God in a relationship that was personal, vibrant, God-honoring, Spirit-filled, transparent, and authentic?

2.    Did they speak openly and regularly of the things of God, the works of God, and the Word of God?

3.    Did they model the truths of God and the ways of God in all that they said and did?

4.    Did they walk in righteousness or did they do evil in the sight of the LORD?

5.    Did they remove the images of false gods and the flesh or did they serve them? For example, images of their secular culture over images that reflect the truths of their almighty God.

6.    Did they daily maintain a vibrant relationship with God or did they drift further each day away from Him?

7.    Did they passionately pursue God or did they seek out and pursue the gods of this world?

8.    Did they personally and passionately worship God or did they merely go through the motions, and worship more the things of this world?

We read that this next generation “… did evil in the LORD’s sight and served the images of Baal. They abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the LORD. They abandoned the LORD to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth.”(1) They either modeled what they saw in their parents or grandparents, or they “filled in the blanks” of what they did not see modeled. And yes, they themselves had responsibility for the choices they made.

The writer of Proverbs wrote, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”(2) We are responsible for the first half of that statement, and we must trust God and commit our children to Him for the second half. Their lives for all eternity—both here and now, and after they take their last breath—hang in the balance.

The next generation of Israelites—instead of walking in the blessings of God walked in the wrath of God. “This made the LORD burn with anger against Israel, so He handed them over to raiders who stole their possessions. He turned them over to their enemies all around, and they were no longer able to resist them. Every time Israel went out to battle, the LORD fought against them, causing them to be defeated, just as He had warned. And the people were in great distress.”(1)

The question before us is, what are we modeling for the generation that we are raising up? Is our relationship with our LORD one that we desire for our children and grandchildren to mirror? Are we passionately pursuing our LORD with all of our heart, soul, and mind, and actively walking with Him in His mission? Or are we merely going through the motions?

Eternity and the next generation hang in the balance of the answer to that question!

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You can read more about this in the second chapter of the Book of Judges.

This post is taken from chapter 42 of my book, Possessing The Promise. For more information about the book, click here.

(1)  Judges 2:6-15 (NLT)

After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.

(2)  Proverbs 22:6 (NKJ)

 

Copyright © 2025 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Image by Pearl on Lightstock

I look to the mountains; where will my help come from?

My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

He will not let you fall; your Protector is always awake.

The Protector of Israel never dozes or sleeps.

The Lord will guard you; He is by your side to protect you.

The sun will not hurt you during the day, nor the moon during the night.

The Lord will protect you from all danger; He will keep you safe.
He will protect you as you come and go now and forever.

         Psalm 121 (GNT)

 

Dear friends,

It has been several weeks since i posted. Many of you know that i have been walking through health challenges. By God’s grace, and in His strength, i am now able to share with you that He has carried me through these most recent developments. He has used this time to remind me just how faithful He is, and just how dependent i am upon Him.

Regardless of our battle or circumstance, we are all dependent upon Him—first and foremost. The question He placed before me was—do i seek Him first or do i seek Him last? i’d like to report to you that i always seek Him first, but He showed me that was not always the case. Two weeks ago as i laid in a hospital bed, He reminded me of this promise in the Psalms.

i pray He encourages you with this assurance and promise to you as well!

In the coming weeks, please be watching for the release of my 28th book—A Psalmist Called Asaph (the final book in The Called series)—on February 28th. Also—though i do not plan to continue weekly posts to my blog, i do plan to periodically share truths that we all need to be reminded of as we walk through the wildernesses of our lives—“now and forever.”

 

Photo image by Chris Mainland on Lightstock

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Introduction to this post :

This is the fourth of this year’s weekly Advent posts. Those of you who have followed the blog for more than a year know that it is my annual practice to post a weekly story for the season of Advent about the incarnational birth of Jesus. My hope is that the stories have become a part of your Advent tradition as you remember and celebrate the Good News of the advent of our Lord and Savior.

This year’s posts are as follows:

Week #1 - November 27th: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Joseph’s Story)

Week #2 - December 4th: Away in a Manger (Achim’s Story)

Week #3 – December 11th: Silent Night (Moshe’s Story)

This week - December 18th: We Three Kings (Balthazar’s Story)

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My name is Balthazar and I am a lifelong student of the science of the stars. I grew up and live in the city of Babylon. Once the center of the greatest empire on the face of the earth, it is now a provincial capital in the somewhat lesser Parthian Empire. The empire encompasses the whole of the Levant along the Mediterranean Sea, excluding the city of Tyre.

Our province includes all of the region that makes up the Tigris-Euphrates Valley. The Silk Road trade route between the Roman Empire and the Han dynasty of China passes through our province, making us a prosperous center of trade and commerce.

My father was the governor of our province, paying proper tribute to and supplying soldiers to our king. Because of this arrangement, our king is often referred to as the “king of kings.” I am my father’s second son, so he did not groom me to become the next governor. Rather, I have been permitted to pursue my love of science and have become one of the leading magi of my province.

I have enjoyed a life of privilege and was educated in the palace by some of the finest scholars in the world. Over the years, our empire has adopted the art, architecture, cultures, and religious beliefs of the ancient Babylonians, the Greeks, and the Persians. And now, through our commerce, our beliefs and culture are also influenced by the Romans and the Chinese.

I was just a boy when I became intrigued by the patterns between the movement of the stars and the earthly events they affected: for example, the rising and falling of tides as well as the changes in the seasons. The Persians predicted events based on the movement of stars, too – but events such as the rise and fall of kingdoms, the foretelling of the births and deaths of rulers, and the like.

During King Darius’s rule of Persia, he sought a Hebrew wise man named Daniel to give him counsel. Daniel employed many of the Hebrew writings, as well as some of his own, to help interpret coming events. Some of those writings pointed to a coming King who would become the King of all kings.

For generations, first the Persians and then the Parthians studied the stars to determine when this King would be born. One of my teachers was preoccupied with this study. He ignited that same passion in my heart. So, I have dedicated my days and nights for decades, watching the stars in anticipation of their announcement of this King’s birth.

And then that singular event occurred! About a year ago, a new uncharted star arose in the eastern sky. It was brighter than any other ever recorded. Travelers from China confirmed that my fellow magi in their country had also identified this star as a new celestial phenomenon; they, too, had begun to chart it. The discovery appeared to coincide with the Hebrew writings that a special king would one day be born. He would not be just any king – He would be the “King of kings.” And the star had appeared in order to lead us to Him!

I had prepared for this moment my entire life! My older brother was now our ruling governor, so I asked for his approval to undertake a royal expedition to follow the star and convey our good wishes to this King. It was agreed that I would bring Him a gift worthy of such a King. We decided the gift would be a weight of highly fragrant frankincense. It comes from the trees in the valley of our province and is the finest in the land.

My young servant, Yanzu, also was becoming one of my best pupils. I decided he would join me on the expedition, and I gave him charge over the chest containing the frankincense.

Preparations were made within a matter of days. My protégé, two of my servants, including Yanzu, and I set out on our camels. The star was leading us to the west – but in order to avoid the pitfalls of traveling through the Arabian desert, we headed northward toward the sea, along the bank of the Euphrates River.

We had been traveling for several days when we came upon another caravan of travelers who were also following the star. I learned that they were actually two caravans that had met several days earlier and decided to travel together. They were from two of the other provinces in our empire. They graciously extended an invitation for us to join them.

When we reached the Mediterranean Sea, it was obvious that the star was leading us south into Judaea. The star appeared to be getting brighter – and though I knew better, it appeared to be inviting us to follow it. As we discussed our course of action, we determined that we should travel to Jerusalem. We were told that King Herod was in residence in Jerusalem; therefore, we would stop there, pay homage to him, and inquire as to the birthplace of the King.

As we road into Jerusalem, our arrival created quite a stir. The Jews are a more austere people, whereas we Parthians tend to be somewhat flamboyant in our attire and demeanor. The size of our traveling party also drew attention. People apparently thought we were a royal delegation sent on official business to their king.

The people began to flock around us as we made our way closer to the palace.  We encountered two priests who appeared to hold positions of authority. We asked them if they could direct us to where the King of the Jews had been born. They looked at us incredulously and told us we would need to speak to King Herod.

Our welcome at the palace wasn’t much different from what we had received from the crowd. People seemed to be greatly disturbed by our presence. Several questioned our servants as to why we did not bring the gifts we were carrying into the palace. We were hurriedly brought before King Herod. I asked him, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.”(1) The king appeared to be troubled by my question, as if this was the first he had heard of it. He told us to remain where we were as he exited the room.

He was gone for quite a while, and we were left unattended. This was an unusual royal visit! Finally, when he returned, he asked us when the star had first appeared. We told him about a year ago. He told us that aligned with what he had seen – though I honestly doubted if he had even seen the star until we mentioned it to him.

He told us that the baby had been born in Bethlehem. That information aligned with what I had studied in the Hebrew writings. But then he said, “Go and search diligently for the Child, and when you have found Him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship Him.”(2)

It seemed strange that he would wait for us to find the King and then return with a report. I couldn’t help thinking that we Parthians appeared to be more interested in paying homage to their newborn King than the Jews themselves. As we left, we again saw the star rise, leading us to continue our journey.

When we arrived in Bethlehem, we knew better than to ask any of the townspeople where the baby was – especially after our reception in Jerusalem. So, we watched the star as it came to rest over a house built beside a hill. The master of the home greeted us when we knocked on the door. He told us his name was Achim. He looked astounded by our appearance.

“Greetings, strangers. What is your business here?” he asked.

I explained that we were seeking the newborn King of the Jews and that the star had led us to his home. A woman, who was apparently his wife, stepped out from behind him and told us to follow her. As we entered the courtyard of the home, the other people inside also seemed astonished by our presence. If there was truly a newborn King in this house, they were not expecting Him to have any visitors!

We followed the woman up to a small, plain room on the third floor. She remained outside the doorway but pointed for us to enter. Inside, we saw a baby who appeared to be about six weeks old, together with His young mother. The mother and child were dressed plainly, and the room was furnished very simply.

This was a surprising abode for One who is a King. But there was an atmosphere in the room that was undeniable. We immediately knew we were in the presence of royalty and that this was the child! The mother was the first person we had encountered in all of Judaea who was not surprised to see us. It was as if she were expecting us. She gave us a knowing look and nodded for us to enter. Immediately, we fell down and worshipped the baby.

After a time, we sent word to our servants to bring up the gifts we had brought. I presented the gift of frankincense. As we opened the boxes, their aromatic scent filled the room … the entire house … and the street below. Next, one of my companions presented his gift of gold – gold that was fit for a King. Finally, another companion presented the gift of myrrh. Myrrh was well-known for its medicinal qualities. The oil also emitted a fragrant scent that mixed well with frankincense.

There was a hushed reverence in the room and few words were spoken. We learned the young mother’s husband was away on business in Jerusalem. She asked us how we had found the child. We explained about the star and told her how it had appeared and how we had been watching for a celestial sign. She listened intently to every word we spoke, but her only response was a gentle, understanding smile.

As we prepared to leave, the child’s mother thanked us for coming and honoring her Son. She bid us God’s blessing as we continued on our journey. Without any further ado, we departed.

We decided to camp in the hills outside Bethlehem for the night since it was late. We would return to Jerusalem the next day to bring our report back to King Herod. However, that night we all had the same dream – we were warned not to return to Herod. We were warned that he only sought to harm the child. So, in the morning, we decided to return to our provinces by a different route.

We feared for the baby and His parents if Herod found them. But something told us He never would. As we traveled, our hearts rejoiced because we knew we had seen the One whose coming had been foretold so long ago. No other King has ever been born under a star like this One. He will be a King like no other. He is truly the King of kings. And one day at His feet every knee will bow.

Little did I know how true that would be …

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More about Balthazar

In this story, i have used the name of one of the wise men from the East, who according to Western Christian tradition, was one of the three biblical magi, together with Caspar and Melchior who visited the baby Jesus  after He was born in Bethlehem. Balthazar is traditionally referred to as the King of Arabia and gave the gift of myrrh to Jesus.

The Gospel of Matthew does not give the names of the Magi (or even how many there were).  As a part of the group of magi, Balthazar followed the Star of Bethlehem first to the palace of King Herod the Great, who instructed them to return to him when they had found the Christ Child. Matthew records that when they arrived at the house, the Magi worshipped Him and presented their gifts. Balthazar gave the gift of myrrh, an expensive item at the time, which symbolized the future death of a king. Following his return to his own country, avoiding King Herod, it is purported that Balthazar celebrated Christmas with the other members of the magi in Armenia in 54 AD but later died on January 6, 55 AD, at age 112. The feast day of Balthazar is recognized on January 6, among certain religious groups.

i include this story in this Advent series for two reasons. First, for the understanding that those who diligently seek the Savior will find Him (Proverbs 8:17), and second, that though we may make our plans, it is God who directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9).

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This story is taken from Little Did We Know , a collection of twenty-five short stories for the Advent season. The book is available through Amazon in standard print, large print, and for your Kindle or Kindle app. It is also available as an audiobook. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy.

I am grateful for the narrating talent of Kyle Bullock and all that he brought to the audiobook version of this story. i hope you will avail yourself to the print and audio versions of the story in order to capitalize on the full experience.

Again, you can listen to the audiobook version of this story as narrated by Kyle by tuning into this week’s episode of my podcast by  CLICKING HERE.

Also, i encourage you to click the link below to listen on YouTube to this contemporary rendition of the Christmas favorite, We Three Kings, as performed live at the Opry.

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(1) Matthew 2:2 (ESV)

(2) Matthew 2:8 (ESV)

 

Copyright © 2024 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Photo by Photo Granary on Lightstock

If you would prefer to listen to this post as a podcast, CLICK HERE.

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Introduction to this post :

This is the third of this year’s weekly Advent posts. Those of you who have followed the blog for more than a year know that it is my annual practice to post a weekly story for the season of Advent about the incarnational birth of Jesus. My hope is that the stories have become a part of your Advent tradition as you remember and celebrate the Good News of the advent of our Lord and Savior.

This year’s posts are as follows:

Week #1 - November 27th: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Joseph’s Story)

Week #2 - December 4th: Away in a Manger (Achim’s Story)

This week – December 11th: Silent Night (Moshe’s Story)

December 18th: We Three Kings (Balthazar’s Story)

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I am a shepherd named Moshe. I have watched over sheep in these Bethlehem hills since I was a young boy. My father and grandfather were both shepherds as were their fathers and grandfathers – all the way back to the shepherd king himself, David. He knew these hills like the back of his hand, just like each of us has ever since.

There was a time during the captivity of our people in Babylon when my ancestors were not shepherding in these hills. But by the grace of Jehovah, He made the way for us to return many years ago.

There is nothing else I would rather be doing, and there is nowhere else I would rather be. Jehovah God has blessed me greatly. He is the greatest Shepherd of all! He has chosen us to be His people – His flock, if you will. He watches over us and cares for us. He provides for us and leads us where He wants us to go. He teaches us to know His voice. And He has given us His commands to protect us.

He has blessed me with a loving and beautiful wife. I will unashamedly admit that I do not deserve her. She is a gift from God. Her name is Ayda, which means “joy.” And there is no denying that she has brought joy into my life. One way is through the birth of our five children – three boys and two girls. I will probably spoil my daughters – at least that is what Ayda tells me – but I will teach my sons how to be good shepherds, just as my father taught me. As a matter of fact, my oldest son Shimon, who recently turned ten, is already a great help to me. Though he looks just like me, he has his mother’s quick wit and her gentle spirit.

Ayda gave birth to our youngest son just three nights ago! We named him Eliezer, which means “gift of God.” All of our children are a gift, but Ayda bore him with great difficulty. We were not sure he would survive, but by God’s grace He did. His precious life truly is a gift. Shimon and I were watching over the flock when my oldest daughter Hannah came running into the hills to tell us of his birth. It was a glorious night – filled with joy, excitement, and thanksgiving.

 

Excitement is palpable throughout our town. Not because Eliezer was born, but because our sleepy little town is filling up with visitors. The Roman emperor decreed that a census be taken, and everyone is required to return to their ancestral home. I am grateful I didn’t need to travel to get to my ancestral home – I already live here! And my family never scattered to other places, so Ayda and I were not expecting any guests for the census.

Honestly, with Ayda just giving birth, we were grateful that we weren’t expecting company. But many of our neighbors were anticipating and preparing for the arrival of extended family from other towns. There are many unfamiliar faces in town. Whoever thought a government census could bring this much excitement!

Last night, Shimon and I were back in the fields watching over our sheep. As usual, other shepherds were also on the hillside watching their flocks. It was a clear still night without a cloud in the sky. The sheep were contented, so it was a quiet night in the hills. And as we looked down on the town, it, too, was still.

Apparently, people were resting after a busy day of visiting and making preparations. Shimon was excitedly telling me how he and his younger brother Jacob were going to help me train up Eliezer to be a good shepherd. I swelled with pride as I listened, realizing what a fine young man my son was becoming.

Suddenly, our tranquility was interrupted by the appearance of what looked to be a man – but a man unlike any I have ever seen. He was surrounded by a blinding light. While I raised a hand to shield my eyes, I instinctively reached out to pull Shimon close to my side. I squinted at the other shepherds who were near. We all were trying to discern what was happening and what we should do.

 

Did this man mean us harm? Should we run? But we all knew we could not abandon our sheep! Who was this man and what did he want? I quickly realized the light was drawing me in. Instead of feeling threatened, the light seemed to embrace us. Don’t misunderstand – we were afraid! But at the same time, we were spellbound.

It seemed like an eternity before the man spoke. “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize Him: you will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!”(1)

We were still trying to understand who this being was when, all of a sudden, the sky was filled with a heavenly host. As if in unison, we all fell to our knees in fear and shielded our eyes from the brilliance that radiated above us. At that point, we knew this was a host of angels – the army of heaven – who had come to bring us great news. The angelic host began praising God, saying:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

And peace on earth to all whom God favors!”(2)

As the angels proclaimed this news, time seemed to stop. Even the sheep surrounding us seemed to bow low. No one – and no thing – was capable of moving. We were overwhelmed by the sight and enraptured by the news. I have no idea how long the angelic host remained in our midst. But it was a sight and a sound that were forever imprinted on our memories.

Then, just as quickly as that host appeared, they were gone. For a few moments, our gaze remained fixed on the heavens. Gradually, we looked at one another and almost in unison said, “Come on, let’s go into Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”(3)

Then we did something that shepherds never do! We left our flocks unattended in the field. We didn’t stop to secure our sheep in the sheepfold. We didn’t hesitate for one moment. We ran into town to the stable where the angels had directed us.

I realized the stable belonged to the carpenter Achim. It was a cave carved out of rock in the side of the hill. As we approached, we expected to find a large crowd gathered to worship the arrival of the newborn Messiah. We thought the religious leaders would be gathered to give praise to God – and perhaps even King Herod himself would be there. This was a great night of rejoicing for our entire nation in celebration and worship. Glory to God in the highest!

But we were dumbfounded when we arrived at the stable and no one was there. Not even Achim and his family were gathered. Only the baby’s mother and father – and a few animals – gathered around the baby wrapped in strips of cloth laid in a feeding trough. Surely this wasn’t the place! Surely this wasn’t the baby! And yet, we knew it was! Where was everyone? Why weren’t the streets filled with celebration? Why were we seemingly the only ones who knew Who this was 

As we entered the stable, we startled the man and woman. I am sure they wondered why these men were invading their private moment with their newborn. The  baby’s mother wasn’t much older than Ayda when she and I married. Neither she nor the man, who appeared much older but we assumed was her husband, spoke one word to refuse us entry. It was as if they were expecting our arrival.

Shimon was the first to step toward the baby to get a better view. He looked up at the baby’s mother for permission, and she smiled and nodded her head. The baby’s father did the same. As I gazed at these parents, I realized their expressions were the same Ayda and I had just three nights earlier when Eliezer was born. I don’t think we would have been as welcoming to strangers, but this couple was inviting us to join them in this very personal moment of love, thanksgiving, and blessing.

Yet, the other shepherds and I sensed there was something more. We were entering into an atmosphere of worship and adoration in that stable. Even the animals seemed to sense it. We told the couple about the angelic host. We told them what had been said and why we had come. Neither responded. Instead, the mother gave us a tender smile and, with a knowing look, nodded her head. Immediately, each of us fell to our knees and worshipped the baby lying in the manger.

Again, time seemed to stand still. None of us wanted this moment to end. Our hearts were so full we couldn’t utter a word. And the reality of all we had heard and were now seeing became clear. The Messiah that the Lord God Jehovah had promised through the prophets of old had now come. The message of His arrival had been delivered to us – a group of shepherds on a hillside.

The Messiah, whom generations had anticipated, was now lying there before us in an animal’s feeding trough. God had made the announcement through His angels to us! He hadn’t made it to the religious leaders or the king, He had made it to us! He had entrusted the good news of the angelic message to a group of shepherds!

I looked at the baby’s mother and realized she was tired. She needed her rest. Quietly, we stood to our feet and reverently backed out of the stable. Shimon was the last to get up. I could see that he was staring into the baby’s eyes. As I looked closer, I saw that the little boy’s eyes were dark brown, just like Shimon’s.

But His eyes had a unique quality, particularly for an infant. His eyes were inviting and gentle. They welcomed you in and made you feel safe. But they also seemed to look into your very soul. Even though newborns are not able to focus, this one appeared to do just that! Shimon remained there, seemingly locked in a gaze with the baby. After a few moments, I softly called to Shimon to join me.

We had a lively discussion about what we had seen, heard, and experienced as we made our way back to the fields. Our conversation was so animated that a few passersby stopped to ask what was happening. We explained what we had seen and what the angel had told us.

Though they seemed amazed by our report, none was interested enough to seek out the newborn baby. Maybe the thought of angels announcing the arrival of the Messiah to a group of shepherds was just too hard for them to believe. But we knew the truth, and it would remain in our hearts forever!

This morning, my son ran to the stable to check on the baby and his parents. But no one was there. We hadn’t thought to ask the family’s names or where they were from. They had probably come to Bethlehem for the census. And though Shimon asked some people nearby, no one knew that a family had even been there. All that remained in the stable was the manger where the baby had lain, the animals that had surrounded Him, and the memory of a holy moment.

Little did I know the impact that baby’s life would have in the days and years to come on me … my family … our town … and on a world that hadn’t been prepared to welcome Him.

_______________________

More about Moshe

In this story we are introduced to one of the shepherds to whom the angelic host announced the birth of the Messiah. His name is fictional, as is his young son, Shimon. The story is intended to help you experience the gathering that rapidly assembled to welcome Jesus into this world … by people who did not fully understand all His appearance meant.

It also sets the stage for events that would unfold in the years to come in the life of the young man as he grows older and hears about a miracle worker and teacher by the name of Jesus in the fictional novel titled Through the Eyes of A Shepherd.  You will experience a story of redemption – the redemption of a shepherd – and the redemption of each one who chooses to follow the Good Shepherd.

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This story is excerpted from Little Did We Know , a collection of twenty-five short stories for the Advent season. The book is available through Amazon in standard print, large print, and for your Kindle or Kindle app. It is also available as an audiobook. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy.

 

I am grateful for the narrating talent of Kyle Bullock and all that he brought to the audiobook version of this story. i hope you will avail yourself to the print and audio versions of the story in order to capitalize on the full experience.

 

Thanks for joining me on the blog this week, and i do hope you’ll join me again next week … as together … we walk … with the Master.

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(1) Luke 2:10-11 (NLT)

(2) Luke 2:14 (NLT)

(3) Luke 2:15 (NLT)

 

Copyright © 2024 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Photo by Photo Granary on Lightstock

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Silent Night (Lyric Video) by The Carpenters

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If you would prefer to listen to this post as a podcast, CLICK HERE.

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Introduction to this post :

This is the second of this year’s weekly Advent posts. Those of you who have followed the blog for more than a year know that it is my annual practice to post a weekly story for the season of Advent about the incarnational birth of Jesus. My hope is that the stories have become a part of your Advent tradition as you remember and celebrate the Good News of the advent of our Lord and Savior.

This year’s posts are as follows:

Last week - November 27th: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Joseph’s Story)

This week - December 4th: Away in a Manger (Achim’s Story)

December 11th: Silent Night (Moshe’s Story)

December 18th: We Three Kings (Balthazar’s Story)

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My name is Achim. My family and I live here in Bethlehem, the town of our ancestor David, the shepherd king. Our town is situated in the midst of rolling green hills, which produce some of the best almonds and olives throughout the province. The soil is fertile because we sit on top of an enormous aquifer. As a matter of fact, our water is known as the best tasting around. The story goes that some of King David’s mighty men risked their lives by crossing through Philistine lines to get him a cup of this very water.

Bethlehem was once one of the fortress towns established by King David’s grandson, Rehoboam. It was a defensive military installation designed to safeguard the water source, which also supplied Jerusalem and other surrounding villages. But now under Roman rule, it is less of a fortress and more of a sleepy village secluded from the noise and activity of Jerusalem.

The hills in and around Bethlehem are ideal for raising sheep. Our rich soil and plentiful water provide an abundant food supply. The demand for lambs in Jerusalem continues to grow. They are the principal animal sacrifice offered in the temple throughout the year.

And during the feasting days, Jerusalem is filled with pilgrims from all over the land who aren’t able to bring their own animals to sacrifice. The pilgrims rely on the lambs and birds that are available at the temple. That creates great demand – and profit – for local shepherds.

However, I am not a shepherd. Like many others in my family, I am a carpenter. There’s not a lot of work for carpenters in Bethlehem, but there is in Jerusalem. It is a bustling city with new structures and dwellings being added every day. Since we live close to Jerusalem, I can work there but still be at home most nights, sleeping in my own bed and enjoying my wife’s good cooking.

My wife, Miriam, and I have three grown sons, all of whom work with me. They are good sons who never gave us cause for concern. They each married self-respecting young women who grew up right here in Bethlehem. And now Jehovah God has blessed them all with children – which means Miriam and I have been blessed with many grandchildren. My ancestor King Solomon once wrote that “children are a gift from the Lord” and “happy is the man whose quiver is full of them.”(1) And God continues to give me a bigger quiver!

But not only is our quiver getting bigger – so is our home! Each time one of our sons married or had more children, we added another room. Like most of the homes around here, ours is made of stone with wood timber beams to support the upper floors. Our home abuts a hill, so the stable for our animals is actually a cave that I enlarged within the hill.

Since our family has continued to grow, we added a third level to our house a few years ago. The center courtyard is open to allow for cooking, eating, and gathering. That is where we spend most of our time together. The other rooms either surround or overlook the courtyard. These rooms provide adequate space for sleeping and privacy. I intentionally added extra rooms to allow space for our guests. And if our family keeps expanding, we will add even more rooms!

Caesar Augustus recently decreed that a census be taken and everyone must return to their ancestral home for that purpose. Our extended family has scattered across the provinces, so we have been anticipating the arrival of a large influx of distant and not-so-distant relatives. We will be expected to host them and provide them with lodging.

I am grateful that we – as well as our other extended family members who also live here in Bethlehem – are able to accommodate all of them. Miriam and our daughters-in-law have been busily making preparations. And as the patriarch of our extended family here in town, I have made sure that the other families are doing the same.

I was really looking forward to seeing my cousin Joseph. Though we live some distance apart, we still see each other from time to time. He is just a few years younger than I am and we have much in common. When I last saw him in Jerusalem for the observance of Passover, he told me that he was betrothed to a young girl from his village.

Miriam and I were so glad to hear it. There has been too much sadness in his life with the death of his wife Rebekah. The marriage feast for him and his bride was planned for later in the year, so I did not expect her to be traveling with him. Even though they are betrothed, I was certain she would be traveling with her family for the census.

But this afternoon, Joseph arrived at my door with a young woman. And not only was she with him, but she was great with child! Miriam immediately came scurrying to the doorway to greet the girl.

“You are radiant, my dear,” Miriam exclaimed, “and you must be weary from your journey.” Then she made a move to embrace the young woman – until I reached out to stop her. She and I looked at each other disapprovingly.

“Achim and Miriam,” Joseph spoke up, “this is Mary, my wife.” Miriam and I looked at Joseph, then at Mary – followed by a not so subtle stare at her obvious “baby bump.” The silence became awkward. I didn’t know what to say, and Miriam knew, based on my actions, that she should not say anything.

Joseph again broke the silence and said, “I know you must have questions. But may we come in so Mary can be seated, and we will explain what all has occurred?”

Miriam nodded her head and reached out a hand to help the young woman step across our threshold. But I continued to block the doorway and removed Miriam’s hand from the girl’s shoulder.

“Yes, I do have questions, Joseph,” I said. “And they must be answered before you can enter my home. When is the child she is carrying due?”

“Any day now,” Joseph replied. He obviously knew what I was about to ask.

“When I last saw you,” I continued, “you told me that you were betrothed to this young woman and the marriage feast was still nine months away. That was only a little more than six months ago. How can she now be expecting a baby any day, and how is it that she has become your wife in advance of your wedding feast?”

Joseph responded by telling us the most preposterous story I have ever heard. He said Mary had been visited by an angel who told her that the Spirit of God would come upon her and she would give birth to His Son. Then the angel had subsequently appeared to Joseph and told him the same thing. So, he had gone ahead and formalized their marriage contract right then and brought her into his home. He assured me, however, that she was still a virgin.

Either she was a liar and he was so lovestruck that he was blinded to her deception – or they were both liars and had made up this unbelievable story to cover up her adultery. If the baby was his, why had he told me in Jerusalem they had not yet consummated their marriage? Whoever heard of Jehovah God coming upon any woman to give birth to a baby?

Babies are only conceived one way – and it takes a woman and a man! And whoever heard of angels appearing to anyone? Of course, there were stories in Scripture about how angels appeared to the patriarchs, but that was a long time ago. That doesn’t happen anymore!

I began to seethe with rage. This was most obviously a violation of God’s commandments and I could not accept it. I could not welcome them into my home because I would be lending credence to this outrageous story and violating everything I believed to be righteous and holy. Joseph was my relative, and in many respects had become my dear friend. And yet, here they stood as an abomination before God – expecting to enter my home as if everything was all right.

In my anger, I told them there was no room for them in my home or in the homes of any of our family members. I even went on to say that I would see to it they were not welcome in any home in Bethlehem – there was no room for them! They had sinned against God and they had stained our family name. Then I turned my back to them and said, “Go away from my home!”

Before I turned my back, I saw the deep hurt in their eyes. And I saw a resignation that confirmed this was not the first time they had been treated this way. They looked sad, but I saw no anger. Perhaps they were expecting a different reaction from family – maybe compassion or acceptance. After all, darkness was drawing near and I was turning away a pregnant woman, who was about to give birth at any moment. And they were family. But my beliefs would not permit me to compromise.

Just then Miriam spoke up. “You can spend the night in our stable. It will provide shelter, and the animals will provide warmth from the cool night air. There is straw to provide you with a comfortable resting place, and I will bring you food and water for the night.”

Mid-sentence I had turned toward Miriam to silence her, but she stared back at me with a look that left no doubt it was my turn to be silent.

“Thank you for your kindness,” said the young girl. Then the two of them silently walked to the stable.

At that moment, I regretted what I had said and done. But I couldn’t compromise my convictions – and I just could not believe their story. Nonetheless, I was now grateful that Miriam had spoken up. However, she didn’t speak to me for the rest of the night. She just gazed at me with cold eyes. And I knew there was nothing I could say right then that would make things better.

Other distant family members arrived that night and we welcomed them into our home with open arms. We didn’t tell them – or even our sons and daughters-in-law – about Joseph and Mary staying in the stable. Other than the silence between Miriam and me, we acted as if everything was normal. But there wasn’t a moment that passed that I didn’t think about the couple in the stable.

Little did I know what would occur that very night …

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More about Achim

Achim is a fictional cousin of Joseph. Historically, Joseph likely had distant and possibly close relatives living in his ancestral town of Bethlehem. In the culture of the time, these relatives would have felt a strong sense of responsibility and familial hospitality to provide lodging for family members arriving for the census. The closer the family ties, the greater this obligation would have been. As Bethlehem was a small town, unlike the bustling city of Jerusalem, public accommodations would have been limited. It is therefore plausible that Joseph sought shelter with family, and the "inn" mentioned in the Gospel accounts may have referred to such a familial lodging.

However, Joseph’s relatives would likely have been unsettled by his arrival with a very pregnant Mary. Those who knew of their betrothal may have reacted as others in Nazareth had, viewing the circumstances through the lens of moral judgment. This story explores how a devout Jew might have responded to what they perceived as sin on the part of Joseph and Mary.

While this account is fictional, it is set against the backdrop of the Gospel narratives of Joseph and Mary's arrival in Bethlehem as recorded in Matthew and Luke. It is not intended to contradict the biblical accounts but to offer a perspective suggesting that their reception may have stemmed not from a lack of physical space but from a disbelief in the explanation Joseph provided. It is a reminder that walking in obedience to God by faith does not mean we will not meet with persecution or disbelief.

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This story is excerpted from Little Did We Know , a collection of twenty-five short stories for the Advent season. The book is available through Amazon in standard print, large print, and for your Kindle or Kindle app. It is also available as an audiobook. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy.

You can listen to the audiobook version of this story as narrated by Kyle Bullock by tuning into this week’s episode of my podcast by CLICKING HERE

 

(1) Psalm 127:3, 5 (NLT)

Copyright © 2024 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Photo by Photo Granary on Lightstock

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Away in a Manger (Forever Amen) by Phil Wickham (Lyric Video)

If you would prefer to listen to this post as a podcast, CLICK HERE.

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A preface to this post :

Dear family, friends and faithful readers of this blog,

This week is my 321st weekly blog post—not a huge number for many, but for me it has been a sharing of my heart with you. Those of you who have followed the blog for more than a year know that it is my annual practice to post a weekly stories for the season of Advent about the incarnational birth of Jesus. My hope is that the stories have become a part of your Advent tradition as you remember and celebrate the Good News of the advent of our Lord and Savior.

This year, i am repeating four of the weekly Advent posts from 2019 for two reasons. First, i have made changes to the posts, and have a higher quality audio recording of the posts in the event you would like to listen to them on audio—feel free to click the link above to do so.

The second reason is that i will be bringing my season of posting to an end as of the end of December. As many of you know, i have been diagnosed with metastatic (stage 4) lung cancer and am now being placed on home hospice care. Thus, it has become more difficult for me to produce these post. I hope and pray you receive these as my gift and expression of love to you.

The remaining five posts are as follows:

November 27th: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Joseph’s Story)

December 4th: Away in a Manger (Achim’s Story)

December 11th: Silent Night (Moshe’s Story)

December 18th: We Three Kings (Balthazar’s Story)

December 25th: A Christmas Celebration (My Story)

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I am a carpenter named Joseph. My father, Jacob, was a carpenter, as was his father, Matthan. As a matter of fact, my ancestors have been carpenters as far back as anyone can remember. Well, maybe not as far back as anyone remembers. My ancestor David was actually a shepherd – until he became the King of Israel. And his son Solomon is considered by many to have been the wisest king our people ever had. 

Thirteen of my ancestors, who were the successive descendants of Solomon, followed him in ruling over our nation as kings of Judah. Most of those did evil in the eyes of the Lord – so I share my family connection to them with great reluctance. But there is no denying that royal blood courses through my veins.

We are God’s chosen people living in the land that He promised our patriarch, Abraham, about two thousand years ago. He brought us into this land through the leadership of Moses and Joshua fourteen hundred years ago. But though we dwell in the land God gave us, we have been living here as conquered captives for over five hundred years. Our people have been subjected to foreign rule – first the Babylonians, then the Persians, the Greeks, the Seleucids, and now the Romans.

When you stop to think about it, we have been captives in our own land longer than we were foreigners and slaves in Egypt. We have long grown weary under the rule of our pagan oppressors who have little to no regard for our Lord God Jehovah. We pray for deliverance from our oppression much like our ancestors prayed for their deliverance from Egyptian bondage.

Through the prophets, our God promised to send His Messiah to deliver us. Each generation for hundreds of years has hoped and believed He would come in their lifetime. But four hundred years have passed since the last great prophet, Malachi – and all we have heard from heaven is silence! Our hearts are heavy and our hope has grown dim, but we live our lives trusting our God for His promise.

Since King David grew up in and around the town of Bethlehem, it is considered to be my ancestral home. Some of my relatives still live there. But over the centuries, much of my family has scattered to other parts of Judea and Galilee. My great-great-grandfather, Eliud, led his family to settle in the city of Cana. The town had been destroyed by the Assyrians many years before, but Eliud and others came to  rebuild the town. His carpentry skills were put to great use as the town rose from its ashes. And the following generations assisted in continuing that effort. My younger brother, Clopas, and I made a steady living there with our carpentry skills.

But work began to slow down in Cana, and I heard there was more opportunity in nearby Nazareth. My brother, Clopas, was reluctant to make the move, so I encouraged him to remain in Cana while my wife, Rebekah, and I relocated.

Soon after arriving in Nazareth, I met a carpenter named Eli. He needed a co-laborer and I needed steady work – so we agreed that Jehovah God had brought us together. Eli, and his wife, Abigail, soon became good friends with Rebekah and me.

I remember the day Abigail gave birth to a baby girl they named Mary. She was the apple of Eli’s eye and he doted on her from the day she was born. Eli would occasionally bring her to work with him when she was a little girl. I watched her grow from a tiny infant into a tender young woman. She had a soft and gentle nature. She honored her parents in all that she did and exhibited a great love and reverence for our God. She was a hard worker and demonstrated a quick wit.

Abigail died when Mary was nine, but I will never forget the tenderness she showed her father as he walked through his grief – despite the fact that she was walking through her own.

Then, not long afterward, my Rebekah died. She had developed a high fever that the rabbi and midwives were unable to cure. Eli and Mary were a great comfort to me during my time of grief.

Rebekah and I were married for twenty years. We had not been married long before we realized Rebekah could not have children. It caused us great sadness throughout our marriage – but we knew it was the will of God. Still, I regretted not having a son to mentor. A few years after Rebekah’s death, I started  wondering, and praying, if God would give me an opportunity to marry again and give me a son. But I never expected how God would answer that prayer!

Eli and I watched as Mary continued to mature into a radiant young woman. She caught the attention of many young men in our town. So, no one was more surprised than I when Eli approached me about marrying his daughter. Since I am only slightly younger than Eli, I am old enough to be Mary’s father. Though such an age difference is not uncommon in marriages of our day, it still was not a match I had considered. However, I admit the possibility was captivating. I told Eli that I would pray about his offer.

Over the next several days I made a rather lengthy mental list of the reasons why I was not the right man for Mary. But I could not think of one single reason why she would be unsuitable for me. As I prayed, I sensed God was leading me to go back to Eli.

 “I would be honored and humbled to take your daughter Mary as my wife," I told Eli. “I would care for her. I would provide for her. And I would love her with my whole heart. But before I can give you an answer, I must know that this is what Mary wants, as well. I will not enter into a marriage arrangement that she does not want. So, you need to discuss the matter with her and let me know what she says.”

Truth be told, I thought it would be the last time he and I ever spoke of it. I was certain Mary had her heart set on a different match. I was shocked when he returned a week later to tell me Mary was also in favor of the match. She desired to become my wife! It was all I could do to keep from shouting with glee – and thanking God for His goodness! Of all men, I was the most envied when three weeks later we announced our betrothal. We set a date for the wedding feast to be held one year from the day of our betrothal.

I continued to be the happiest – and most blessed – of men as I awaited the consummation of our marriage. Soon after our announcement, Mary unexpectedly traveled to Hebron to visit her cousin for three months. When she returned, she came to Eli and me with startling news. She told us she was pregnant! But she assured us she was still a virgin. She told us that she had become pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

“An angel by the name of Gabriel appeared to me,” she said. “He told me that God has decided to bless me! He said I would become pregnant and have a son. He will be very great, and He will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will give Him the throne of David. And He will reign over Israel forever. His kingdom will never end.(1)

“I asked the angel how this could be possible,” she continued, “and he told me that the Holy Spirit would come upon me, and the power of the Most High God would overshadow me.”

Mary then turned her attention to me. “Joseph, I have not broken our vows. This is an act of our Most High God. I do not fully understand what is happening – but I know I must trust Him. And I need to know that you trust me. Do you trust that all I have told you is true?”

My heart was broken! I hadn’t really heard everything she said after she told me she was pregnant. She said something about the Holy Spirit coming upon her. But all I could think about was this young woman, whom I thought was without guile, had somehow sullied herself and broken our contract. I thought about the shame and disgrace to come for her and my friend, Eli – and the hushed conversations that would happen behind my back.

Without saying a word, Eli got up from his seat and walked out of his home. I did the same. My heart was full, and at that moment I could not speak. As I made my way back home, I kept going over what she had said. I had gone from being the happiest of men to feeling like a broken one.

But as much as I hurt, my love for her did not diminish in any way. I decided the right thing to do was quietly break our betrothal so as not to disgrace her publicly. Eli could then send her away to stay with a distant relative.

My sleep that night was fitful. But in the midst of it, an angel of the Lord appeared to me in a dream. In it he said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. All of this has happened to fulfill the Lord’s message through His prophet: 

Look! The virgin will conceive a child. She will give birth to a son, and He will be called Immanuel (meaning God is with us).”(2)

 

When I awoke the next morning, I ran to Eli’s home. Both Eli and Mary wept as I told them what the angel had said. “Mary, I trust that all you have told me is the truth,” I said. “I trust you and I trust God. How favored you are above all women! And how favored am I to become your husband and a father to this One who is in your womb!”

I was delighted to learn that God had led Eli to the same realization. Though we rejoiced in the news, we also knew what people in our town would say. Mary, most of all, would be ridiculed and falsely accused of improper behavior. We trusted that God would give her – and all of us – the strength we needed to endure. Mary came home with me that day to be my wife, but she remained a virgin until after the baby was born.

We were right! Most of our neighbors kept their distance from us, with the exception of a young neighbor girl named Salome. She was a constant source of encouragement and companionship for Mary. But most of those we told about the angel’s visits looked at us with suspicion. Others looked at us – particularly Mary – with disdain. I hated that for her. God by His grace had chosen her to be His vessel. She was to be honored, not despised. But life was never going to be the same. There would always be whispered inuendoes.

For centuries our people had awaited the arrival of the promised Messiah. I had always hoped He would come during my lifetime and that I might get a glimpse of Him. But in my wildest dreams I never thought my wife would give birth to Him. I had prayed for a son – and God by His grace had chosen me to be the earthly father of His Son.

All I could think about was how inadequate I was to be His father and Mary’s husband. But I knew the same God who could enable a virgin to give birth to His Son would empower a lowly carpenter to be the father and husband He needed me to be. By His grace, I would trust and follow Him!

A few months later, we received word that the Roman ruler, Caesar Augustus, had decreed that a census be taken throughout our land. We were all to return to our ancestral homes to be registered. I made preparations for Mary and me to make the three-day journey to Bethlehem.

The baby would soon be born. This was not a good time for a trip. But we didn’t have a choice. Once again, I admired Mary’s bravery – not only for making such a trip during this stage of her pregnancy, but also because of the stares and whispers she would endure.

Eli had planned to travel with us since he, too, was of the line of David. But two days before we were to leave, he came down with a fever. The rabbi and midwife had seen this fever before. They treated him with an elixir made from herbs and bark. They assured Mary and me that he would recover, but he did not have the strength to travel to Bethlehem. We would go on without him and one of the midwives would look in on him in our absence.

I planned for us to stay at the home of my cousin Achim in Bethlehem. I hoped he would welcome us with open arms. Shortly before our departure, I received word from my brother Clopas that he, his wife, and their young son would be joining us for the journey. We were grateful that we would have their companionship as we traveled. They would, however, be lodging with his wife’s sister when they arrived in Bethlehem.

So, we set off on our journey to our ancestral home – the town of David. Little did I know where all the journey would lead …

_______________________

More about Joseph

Joseph was an unlikely choice to be the earthly father of Jesus . There was nothing about him on the surface that would have prompted any of us to consider him worthy. And yet, no other man in history has been charged with the tremendous responsibility he was given. 

He wasn’t randomly chosen by God.  He wasn’t chosen simply because he and Mary were engaged to be married. He was, most definitely, not an after-thought or a footnote. He and Mary were betrothed because God had chosen them both and ordered their steps accordingly … from before the beginning of time.

God had been at work in Joseph’s life long before he ever knew the events that would unfold in his life.  God carefully molded and shaped Joseph into the man to whom He could give this special assignment.

This story is taken from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke with further historical and fictional details added to develop the story where Scripture remains silent. However, nothing has been added that takes away from the biblical narrative.

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This story is excerpted from Little Did We Know , a collection of twenty-five short stories for the Advent season. The book is available through Amazon in standard print, large print, and for your Kindle or Kindle app. It is also available as an audiobook. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy.

 

You can listen to the audiobook version of this story as narrated by Kyle Bullock by tuning into this week’s episode of my podcast by CLICKING HERE

 

(1) Luke 1:30-33 (NLT)

(2) Matthew 1:20-23 (NLT)

 

Copyright © 2024 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Photo by Carlos E. Santa Maria on Lightstock

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O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Lyrics video) performed by Chris Tomlin

 

If you would prefer to listen to this post as a podcast, CLICK HERE.

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What does it mean to live in the shelter of the Most High and to find rest in His shadow? This is how Psalm 91 begins—a psalm many attribute to Moses. i believe that attribution is fitting. Moses is the one who carried Jehovah God’s instructions to His people for constructing the Tabernacle in the wilderness. He witnessed the fabrication of each part and completed the last of the work.(1)

The Tabernacle was completed exactly as the Lord specified and was erected on the first anniversary of Israel’s departure from Egypt.(2) That day, the Lord’s glorious presence descended upon it, covering and filling it with His awesome glory. His presence, previously seen in the guiding pillar of cloud, now took residence within His dwelling place among the people. From that day on, as His Spirit led, the people moved forward; when His Spirit remained in the Tabernacle, the people encamped.

Though their journey was far from over, they had reached a place where they dwelt in the presence of God no matter where they were, for He dwelt in their midst. They had come to live in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. A journey begun to escape slavery had become a journey into God’s presence.

What was unique about this people that Jehovah would dwell among them? Was it their obedience? No, for they had proven themselves a disobedient, stiff-necked people. Was it their devotion to worship Him alone? No, for this was the same people who, not long before constructing the Tabernacle, had fashioned a golden calf. Was it their faith? No, time and again, they doubted the God whose Spirit went before them, ignoring or outright denying His presence.

This people had done nothing to merit God’s favor. They did not deserve to have the God of Heaven dwelling among them. He dwelt among them because He chose to do so. He chose them to be His people; they did not choose Him to be their God. He promised to bless all nations through them, and He who promised was faithful, even though they broke every promise they made to Him. He continued to show love to them, even when they were at their most unlovely.

He dwelt among His people, because He chose them to be His people. Even though they were sinners, He chose them. Even though they were sinners, He loved them. Even though they were sinners, He led them. And even when they could not do anything to reconcile themselves to a Holy God, He made a way. Even when they did not grasp the desperateness of their condition, He made a way. Even when they turned against His Son, He made a way.

But those early Israelites were not the only ones permitted by God to live in the shelter of the Most High or in the shadow of the Almighty. He made a way for you and me – and His Name is Jesus. As we journey through our current wildernesses, as well as those that will undoubtedly follow if Jesus tarries in His return, God has invited us to walk in His Way; and if we walk in His Way, it is because He has chosen us. And if we are walking in His Way, we can walk with the confidence that He dwells within us.

We dwell in the shelter of the Most High; we dwell in the shadow of the Almighty. The journey that we are on is His journey. He set our feet on the path. He set forth the path. He has determined the journey’s end. He has a purpose for the journey. He will use the journey for our good – to conform us more into the image of His Son – and He will use the journey for His glory.

Be careful as you continue in the journey, our good and His glory will not solely be determined by our destination, He is using the journey itself. We are His Tabernacle – His dwelling place.

                       

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare of the LORD:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
He is my God, and I am trusting Him.
For He will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from the fatal plague.
He will shield you with His wings.
He will shelter you with His feathers.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection."(3)

 

So journey well, fellow sojourner, and heed this lesson first learned in the wilderness at the base of Mt. Sinai: we are His dwelling place!

* * * * *

You can read about the day God came to indwell His tabernacle in the thirty-ninth and fortieth chapters of the Book of Exodus.

Portions of this post are adapted from chapter 61 of my book, The Journey Begins. For more information about the book, click here.

 

(1)  Exodus 40:33

(2)  Exodus 39:32; 40:17, 34-38 (NLT)

And so at last the Tabernacle was finished. The Israelites had done everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses. …So the Tabernacle was set up on the first day of the new year. …Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glorious presence of the LORD filled it. Moses was no longer able to enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the Tabernacle was filled with the awesome glory of the LORD. Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle and moved, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. But if the cloud stayed, they would stay until it moved again. The cloud of the LORD rested on the Tabernacle during the day, and at night there was fire in the cloud so all the people of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.

(3)  Psalm 91:1-4 (NLT)

 

Copyright © 2024 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

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* * * * *

In many ways, our world today mirrors the one in which the apostle Paul set out to share the Good News of Jesus. We have become so post-Christian that society now resembles a pre-Christian culture, where there is little knowledge or memory of Jesus. In this sense, we are not unlike the city of Athens, where Paul once preached.

After leaving Thessalonica, Paul brought the gospel to Berea. When the Jews in Thessalonica heard that the message had reached Berea, they traveled there to disrupt his work. Despite the opposition, many in Berea believed in Jesus. Sensing the danger Paul was in, the new believers encouraged him to leave the city. Some of them accompanied him as he departed for Athens, while Silas and Timothy remained to disciple the new believers.

While waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, Paul went to the synagogue on the Sabbath and spent the other days in the public square, likely selling tents and sharing the Good News as he worked.(1) As he explored the city, he saw altars, idols, and temples dedicated to various deities, including an altar to an “Unknown God.” The Athenians seemed eager to honor any god they might have overlooked, yet they did not know the One true God.

Paul noticed these objects of worship because he was actively looking for them. A few years ago, i gathered with a group of believers in New York City to discuss how we could more effectively share the gospel with the diverse people groups who now live in the U.S.—people from nearly every language, tribe, and nation. We were reminded that Christ’s Great Commission includes both going to the ends of the earth and reaching out to those who have become our immediate neighbors.

During the gathering, we were challenged to open our eyes, ears, and hearts as we walk through our neighborhoods, to notice the people and cultures God has placed along our paths. We often walk through life with our heads down and blinders on—seeing but not observing, and hearing but not listening. To truly be witnesses, we must first witness the lives and needs of those around us, just as Paul did. When we remove the blinders, we gain insights into those around us and their “objects of worship.”

Like Paul, we must learn to “see”—both literally and figuratively. Physically, we should look at the actual altars, idols, and temples around us to gain insight into the beliefs of our neighbors, asking God to use these observations as bridges for sharing the Good News. God enabled Paul to see the altar to the “Unknown God” and use it as a point of connection to speak to the Athenians’ spiritual hunger and introduce them to the One true God.

We should also see figuratively, beginning with “altars.” Altars are not the objects of worship but a means of worship. Altars are often associated with places of prayer or commitment in churches, synagogues, temples, and other religious settings. However, they can also be metaphorical. In life, altars can represent anything we are unwilling to give up, no matter the personal cost. For example, ministry can become an altar where people sacrifice family and relationships, believing the activity of ministry itself is worth the cost. Any worthy cause, if it consumes us, can become an altar. Addictions, too, often become altars where lives are sacrificed.

Next, we are to look for “idols,” which are the actual objects of worship. In Christian faith, service to Christ is an act of worship, yet there is a danger of making our service itself the object of worship, focusing more on what we are doing than on the One for whom we do it.

Money is another common idol. Jesus spoke often about wealth because it has an insatiable pull. Early in our marriage, my wife and i often said, “All we need is $10,000.” Once we had it, we found ourselves saying, “All we need is another $10,000.” This pursuit can easily become endless. Success, too, is often idolized, whether in career, hobbies, relationships, possessions, or other goals. When our pursuit of something becomes all-consuming, it has taken the place of God.

Finally, we should look for “temples.” A temple can itself become an idol if we focus on it more than on God. Paul reminds us, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?”(2) Yet, he continues, “…You do not belong to yourself.” Sometimes, in our focus on physical health, we risk idolizing our bodies. Similarly, people may elevate their place of worship—the building, programs, or atmosphere—to the point where these things overshadow God. Another example is nature itself. Many see God’s creation as beautiful, but it becomes a form of idolatry when we begin worshiping the creation instead of the Creator.

When Paul addressed the council in Athens, most did not believe, but some did. Among them were Dionysius, a council member, and a woman named Damaris.(3) The Holy Spirit used the “bridge” of the altar to the “Unknown God” to draw some of those who heard to faith in Jesus. Their mention by name suggests they were prominent individuals or familiar to Luke’s early readers.

As we conclude this post, let us remain watchful for the objects of worship around us and open to the ways the Holy Spirit might use them as bridges for sharing the Good News. Just as in Athens, there may be someone just across that bridge, waiting to hear.

* * * * *

You can read about the apostle Paul’s message to the people in Athens in the seventeenth chapter of The Acts of the Apostles.

Portions of this post are adapted from chapter 47 of my book, Until He Returns. For more information about the book, click here.

 

(1)  Acts 17:16-34 (NLT)

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there…. Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said…. So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. He is the God who made the world and everything in it….From one man He created all the nations throughout the whole earth…. His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him…. For in Him we live and move and exist…. And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone. … Now He commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to Him. For He has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man He has appointed, and He proved to everyone who this is by raising Him from the dead.” When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” That ended Paul’s discussion with them, but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council,  a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

(2)  1 Corinthians 6:19 (NLT)

(3)  Acts 17:34 (NLT)

 

Copyright © 2024 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

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* * * * *

As Jesus sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives, teaching His disciples, He began this particular discourse with the admonition, “be on the alert,” and concluded with the exact same words. In reading His words in the Gospel of Matthew,(1) we see that He directed this message to four distinct “audiences.”

First, He addressed His disciples' specific questions. Second, since Jesus’ earthly ministry focused primarily on the Jewish people, this message was also directed to them. Third, He spoke to His church—those who would follow after Him, including us today, who will be with Him in heaven before the Tribulation. (By the way, as a side note—as His people we will escape the Tribulation, but He never promised that we will escape tribulation.) Fourth, He was speaking to His followers who would come to faith in Him during the Tribulation (after the rapture, but before His second coming).

For those of us in that third group—believers following Him today—we live in a place between the “already” and the “not yet.” We look back to the cross, where Jesus bore our sins, and forward to His second coming. We live in the last days, though not yet in the final last days. We hold both the assurance of what is already true and the anticipation of what is yet to come. Our lives are filled with the joy and expectancy of looking for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peter expressed it this way: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”(2) We live in that “not yet” place of living hope! We are clothed in His righteousness, though not yet like Him in every way, and our hearts are filled with anticipation to see Him. Those who are not His followers, however, should look to that day with great fear and trembling. Paul wrote, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men….”(3) The thought of our Master’s return either inspires us with hope and joy, or with fear and dread of His eternal judgment. So, we look to His return—with a living hope for those who know the Savior, and with fear for those who do not.

For us, “being on the alert” means carrying our cross with the awareness that we will one day stand in His presence and give an account. We do not know the day or the hour; as He said, He will come “when you do not think He will.”(4) We must live ready.

Blessed is the follower (or servant) who is walking in the ready and about His Master’s business. Every person—believer and non-believer alike—has been given gifts for carrying out God’s purpose. Each of us has received life, breath, and privileges, which God has entrusted to us as a stewardship. Hell will be populated not only by Satan and his angels but also by those who, with unrepentant hearts, squandered their privilege and misused the gifts God intended for His purpose. Our task as servants is to serve the Master and those He has placed in our lives. The day of accountability is coming soon!

Lastly, Jesus shared the parable of the ten virgins to illustrate the suddenness and unexpectedness of His return. It should call us to readiness, preparedness and alertness so that we are not caught in an unexpected moment unprepared for His coming.  Let’s be mindful that the first time Jesus came, the world was not ready. They should have been. The prophets had marked out very clearly the signs for which the world should be watching. They said there would be a forerunner. There was. They identified him as a voice crying in the wilderness. That’s exactly who John the Baptist was. They said the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, He was, born of a virgin, He was, and born of the line of David, He was. They said He would come to Galilee, He did. They said He would have great power, He did. But the world still was not prepared and not ready. John wrote, “He came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him.”(5)

The lesson of the ten virgins is simple: Jesus is coming to judge sinners and reward the righteous. He will return suddenly, and everyone must be ready. Afterward, there will be no second chances. The door will be shut, and the time of opportunity will have passed.

The church has known for over 2,000 years that Christ is returning for His bride, and yet, many of us have become lethargic and neglectful of our responsibility. Among too many of us, there is no longer an excited anticipation for the soon-return of our Lord and Savior. As a result, there is little effective witness being given that the Lord is returning.

The Master has called us to “be on the alert.” We do not know how much time remains before we are with Him in heaven or before He returns. Let us live out loud in this place between the “already” and the “not yet,” carrying the cross He has given us in a way that honors Him, brings glory to His name, and furthers His mission!

* * * * *

You can read about this teaching of Jesus in the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth chapters of the Gospel According to Matthew.

Portions of this post are adapted from chapter 22 of my book, Taking Up The Cross. For more information about the book, click here.

 

(1)  Matthew 24:42 – 25:13 (NLT)

“Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason, you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; themaster of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”

 

(2) 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NASB)

(3) 2 Corinthians 5:11 (NLT)

(4) Matthew 24:44 (NLT)

(5) John 1:10-11 (NLT)

 

Copyright © 2024 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

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* * * * *

When Jesus spoke to the crowds, He often used simple stories (parables) to communicate profound truths about the Kingdom of God. Have you ever gotten confused over what Jesus was saying? If so, you’re in good company because even the apostles were confused—until they were filled with the Holy Spirit. The good news is, if we are followers of Jesus, we have that same Holy Spirit inside of us to reveal all truth.

Once, the disciples asked Him, “Why do You use parables when You talk to the people?” Jesus replied, “To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” He added, “I use parables because they look, but don’t really see. They hear, but don’t really listen or understand.”(1)

Jesus was emphasizing profound truths:

 

There is a difference between looking and seeing.

There is a difference between hearing and listening.

There is a difference between knowledge and understanding.

And the difference is not a matter of the eyes, ears, or mind; it’s a matter of the heart.

 

Before we examine these parables, it's important to recognize that Jesus was correcting a misunderstanding about the Kingdom. The people of His day expected the Messiah to overthrow Rome, vindicate Israel, and establish an earthly kingdom. But Jesus was teaching that this was not how the Kingdom would come. The Kingdom had already come—because He was among them. Jesus was and is the arrival of the Kingdom. It is all about Him, all about the gospel. While some elements of the Kingdom are present now, others will only be fully revealed when He returns.

So, let’s look at some of those simple stories, asking the Father to open our hearts so we might understand His truth about His Kingdom.

The Parable of the Sower and the Soils

This parable doesn’t begin with “The Kingdom is like…” because it sets the stage for how the Kingdom begins in the hearts of followers. Jesus knew that most of the people listening to Him would not follow Him. The soils in this parable describe the hearts of those who heard Him then—and many who hear today. It must have pained Him to know that the majority, represented by three of the four soils, would never bear fruit. As Jesus said, “You can identify them by their fruit.”(2)

In the story, a farmer sows life-giving seed. Some falls on a footpath and is carried away by birds. Some lands on rocky soil, where it sprouts quickly but, with shallow roots, withers in the sun. Other seed falls among thorns, which choke out the plants. But some seed falls on fertile soil and produces a crop one hundred times what was planted.

The seed represents the life-giving gospel, and the soils represent the different conditions of the hearts in which it is sown. The footpath symbolizes a heart that is hard, unreceptive, and distracted by the busyness of life, giving the gospel no chance to take root. The evil one snatches the seed away before it can be planted. The rocky and thorny soils represent hearts that “believe” but are never truly surrendered. They may have “prayed a prayer,” but without a transformation of the heart, their faith either withers or is choked out by other pursuits.

For thirty years, my own life as a “Christian” was like that shallow or thorny soil. i prayed a prayer at age 6, but it became clear as i grew older that i had never truly surrendered my life. We make a mistake when we invite people to make a “commitment” to Christ because a commitment can change based on our terms. That’s why i prefer the idea of “surrender.” In surrender, we don’t set the terms—our Captor does—and we cannot change those terms later. i fear that many in the church today are “planted” in one of these two soils, never having truly surrendered to Christ. This is evident by the lack of fruit in their lives.

The fourth soil, however, represents a heart surrendered to Christ, transformed by the gospel, and bearing abundant fruit. In such soil, the Kingdom of Heaven has taken root and is growing.

 

The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds (False Christians)

In this parable, the farmer (the Son of Man) plants good seed (His Word) that produces wheat (followers of Christ) in the field (the world). His followers are placed in the world to spread the gospel and multiply disciples. But the enemy (Satan) plants “weeds” (false Christians) among the wheat. These weeds may look like true followers, but they follow a counterfeit gospel and do not truly know Jesus. They may be products of seed that fell on rocky or thorny soil, adhering to religious practices but lacking true faith. Jesus often called out the religious leaders of His day as “blind guides”—weeds who prioritized tradition over true worship of God. At harvest time (when Christ returns), God will separate the weeds from the wheat, casting the weeds into eternal judgment. Jesus told His disciples not to waste time pulling out the weeds, but to focus on planting and multiplying the wheat.

 

The Parable of the Mustard Seed (False Growth)

Jesus compared the Kingdom to a mustard seed, the smallest of seeds, which grows into a large plant—not a towering tree, but a shrub where birds come to nest. Earlier, in the parable of the Sower and the Soils, birds represented the evil one. Some scholars suggest that this parable shows that as the Kingdom grows, it will include both true growth and false, as Satan nests in its branches.

In much of the world today, including the U.S., identifying as a Christian can be problematic—not because of persecution for genuine faith, but because the term “Christian” has come to mean so many different things, many of which do not reflect Jesus or His teachings. As the Kingdom grows, false branches will continue to sprout. i am reminded of the axiom—“everything that is healthy grows; but not everything that grows is healthy.” This parable is a reminder that not everything that is a part of the plant is truly what Jesus planted. We must always test everything we see and hear against God’s Word.

 

The Parable of the Yeast (False Doctrine)

Jesus also compared the Kingdom to yeast that a woman mixed into dough until it worked through the entire batch. Some interpret this as the gospel spreading, but yeast is typically a symbol of corruption in the Bible. Jesus used yeast to represent hypocrisy(6) and false teaching(7). Paul also used it to symbolize sin(8). i believe this parable warns of false teaching infiltrating the Kingdom.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement within the church to compromise Biblical truth with the politically correct views of the day. Truth has shifted from being absolute (God’s Word) to relative (society’s opinions). We need to heed the apostle Paul’s admonition to the believers to “test everything” and only “hold on to what is good.”(9), because even a little false teaching can corrupt the whole.

 

Though these are simple stories, they hold important truths. Hold on to them as you continue in your daily journey. Satan opposes the work of the Master by sowing counterfeit Christians, encouraging false growth, and introducing false doctrine. When our Lord returns, all will be exposed and judged. Until then, see and don’t just look, listen and don’t just hear, and seek to understand and not just gain knowledge. Remember, it’s an issue of the heart—test everything and only hold on to what is good.

* * * * *

You can read about Jesus’ teaching of these parables in the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel According to Matthew.

Portions of this post are adapted from chapter 28 of my book, Walking With The Master. For more information about the book, click here.

 

(1)  Matthew 13:10, 12-13 (NLT)

(2)  Matthew 7:16 (NLT)

(3)  Matthew 7:21 (NLT)

(4)  Matthew 13:31-32 (NLT)

(5)  Matthew 13:33 (NLT)

(6)  Luke 12:1

(7)  Matthew 16:6-12

(8)  1 Corinthians 5:6-7

(9)  1 Thessalonians 5:21

 

Copyright © 2024 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

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