| Our verses to DATE the Word on February 11 (2/11) are Luke 2:11 and Matthew 2:11 |
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| Luke 2:11 says, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Matthew 2:11 says, “And when they (the wise men) had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” |
| Responding to the Savior February 11 is not normally associated with Christmas unless you are looking at verses that connect to a date. Even though we are in February, just days from Valentine’s day, I could not resist using Luke 2:11 and Matthew 2:11 for February 11 (2/11). I do recall from the movie A Christmas Carol that Scrooge said, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. Thus we seek to learn and live out lessons from Christmas all year! Our two verses combine to tell of the MOST AMAZING ANNOUNCEMENT the human race could hear and the MOST INCREDIBLE RESPONSE to the SAVIOR. The amazing announcement brings to us the answer to our greatest problem. The response challenges us, and inspires us, on how to respond to the Savior. Let us first consider the amazing announcement. While each word has significance the word SAVIOR stands out above the rest. Jesus came to SAVE. Matthew 1:21 says, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” John 1:29 says, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! In Matthew 18:11 “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. In Luke 19:10 we read, “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” His purpose was to be our SAVIOR! What makes this such an amazing announcement may be best shown by the words of Roy Lessin who wrote: If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior. How do we respond? From Matthew 2:11 we read of how Wise men came to Him and they fell down and worshipped Him. What these wise men did was a preview of what is happening in heaven. Revelation tells several times of those in heaven falling down, bowing down, laying prostrate before the Lamb, THE SAVIOR, and worshipping Him. When is the last time you fell down, knelt down, bowed down, and laid prostrate before the Lamb? When was the last time you poured yourself out in worship? Worship comes from a word meaning to COUNT WORTHY. Our worship is considering the Lamb WORTHY thus from your heart comes WORTHY IS THE LAMB! Their response continues with GENEROSITY. They gave, they PRESENTED gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” So much can be learned here about the gifts, but for now please let the word PRESENTED hold your attention. The Apostle Paul calls us in Romans 12:1 to PRESENT ourselves to God as a holy vessel, a living sacrifice. As the wise men presented from their treasures, we present ourselves, our lives to Him. Just as the Corinthians gave themselves to the Lord we GIVE ourselves to the Lord. (2 Cor. 8:5) Yes, let us keep Christmas in our hearts all year long. Hear the amazing announcement that the Savior has been born and let us now be the ANNOUNCERS as His ambassadors. Let us daily kneel before Him and offer worship and present ourselves as His holy vessels to be used as He sees fit! Verses to DATE the Word on February 11 (2/11) are Luke 2:11 and Matthew 2:11. Luke 2:11 says, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Matthew 2:11 says, “And when they (the wise men) had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Continue Strong with adoration of your Savior, And remember to DATE THE WORD |