The Babe of Bethlehem

The Babe of Bethlehem had characteristics that could be—and can be—found in other babies. The Bible tells us that He grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. (Lk. 2:40 NKJV) He also increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Lk. 2:52) These characteristics are unusual, but history records a number of unusual children with hearts tender toward God.

There are some essential differences, however, between the baby named Jesus and other babies. When He became a man, Jesus died for the sin of all people. He could do this because, unknown to most people, He carried within Himself a divine seed that came from God. By sacrificing His divine life, He broke the power of Satan—and He specifically broke Satan’s hold upon the lives of people who call upon Him.

Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth as a man—to die for the sin of all men—so we can have eternal life. The Babe of Bethlehem died in my place.

Originally published December 24, 1987.

Applying Scripture

It’s important to know Scripture. It’s equally important to understand and correctly apply it. Even Satan knows God’s Word. But he applies it wrongly, and he would be glad to entice God’s people to use it wrongly as well.

Jesus is our pattern, and He shows the importance of using Scripture correctly. When He was in the Wilderness—after fasting many days—Satan came to temp Him. Three tests are recorded in Luke 4. In the final test, Satan quoted Scripture when he said, If you are the Son of God . . . throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: “'He shall give His angels charge over You, to keep You. . . .” (Lk. 4:9,8 NKJV) Satan quoted from Psalm 91. He might have understood the meaning, but he misapplied it.

Jesus recognized the verses and understood them. He also He recognized Satan's deceipt and rejected Satan's argument. In response, He quoted Deuteronomy 6:16: it has been said, “'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” (v. 12)

Originally published March 11, 1988

Picture: Potted plants, Patty's garden, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Captivity Captive?

Paul quoted Ps. 68:18 in his letter to the Ephersians: When He [Jesus] ascended on high He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. (Eph. 4:8 NKJV) Because that sounds confusing to our minds, let’s look briefly at what it means to lead captivity captive.

Captivity is a condition of severe restraint or bondage. Spiritual captivity is bondage to sin. It means being overwhelmed or overcome by the power of sin’s influence. People in spiritual captivity experience loss of moral freedom. They can’t choose good for pure or holy reasons.

Satan is the master-mind behind all captivity. He wants to imprison people—rob them of God’s blessings, but Jesus defeated Satan when He shed His blood on Calvary.

When Jesus ascended on high, He entered heaven as the victor over Satan. Since that occasion, no one has had to remain a captive under Satan’s control. Because, He led captivity captive.

Originally published February 16, 1990.
Picture: Cactus in bloom, Arizona Desert, 2008. Photo by Patty.

Satan, the Accuser

It’s difficult for the human mind to accept Jesus as non-condemning. Yet He made that clear when He said, “If any one hears my saying, and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.” (Jn. 12:47 ASB)

Someone else is eager to point out people's sin. Scripture identifies Satan as the one who accuses Christians and non-Christians alike: Satan, who deceives the whole world . . . accuses them before our God day and night. (Rev. 12:9b,10b) He functions like a dreaded prosecuting attorney whose total purpose is bringing men to destruction.

There is an Old Testament illustration: A high priest named Joshua stood between the Angel of the Lord and Satan. The Lord rebuked Satan—not Joshua—and replaced Joshua’s filthy garments (sin) with festal robes (God’s righteousness). (Zech. 3:4b)

Originally published February 12, 1982.
Picture: Flowers in the courtyard, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

Jesus' Dominion

When God made man, He said, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish . . . fowl . . . every living thing that moveth. . . . (Gen. 1:28 KJV)

That commission changed drastically after Adam and Eve sinned. When God gave a commission to Noah, He said, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you shall be upon every beast . . . fowl . . . all that moveth . . . fishes of the sea. (Gen. 9:1,2 KJV) Dominion had been lost; it was replaced by fear.

But not permanently. Jesus regained dominion by defeating Satan. David prophesied this when he wrote, What is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? . . . Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands . . . sheep and oxen . . . beasts . . . fowl . . . fish . . . O Lord our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth! (Ps. 8:4,6a-8 KJV)

The psalm can apply to us. Christ's victory can be our victory if we align ourselves with Him. O Lord our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth! (Ps. 8:9 KJV)

Originally published January 31, 1986.

Picture: Flower in Thailand, 2007. Photo by Patty