King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Living in Subjection
Date: Friday October 21, 2011
Chapters: Luke 2-3
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Hello My Friend/Guest,

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,..Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” - Hebrews 2:9-11,14-18.

The word succor means to aid, to assist, help, and give support, Jesus, could have come to earth any other way to aid us, after all He is all and all is Him, but He chose to come here as an ordinary man, to be born, to live, and to die as an ordinary man. He chose to feel hunger, pain, and live in subjection to the laws of man. Why? If Jesus came here in any other form we would still be offering animal sacrifices to be reconciled with God. Jesus lived in subjection, He made Himself lower that the angels to become death for our sakes. In order for Jesus to be able to help us escape from the bondage of sin, death, and Satan himself, He had to become what we are, His sufferings as an ordinary man, made Him qualified to be a merciful High Priest, the only High Priest who is in every way able to help people become reconciled with God once and for all.

The time had come for the Savior to come to earth in flesh and blood, the fulness of time was now come, when God would send forth His Son, made of a woman, and made under the law. “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” - Luke 2:4-14.

The good will of God toward men, is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the earth. The shepherds lost no time, but came with haste to the place Jesus would be. They were satisfied, and proclaimed that they saw the Savior, Christ the Lord, whom God had provided and appointed from all eternity to be the long promised and much expected Messiah spoken of by the prophets. By one man sin entered the world, by one Man the sinner would be reconciled with God. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.” - Romans 5:10-14.

I often imagine what Mary thought the whole time she rocked the Son of God in her arms, fed Him, changed Him, bathed Him. He did not receive royal treatment, He was not placed above anyone else, He was raised as every other God fearing parent would raise their son, under the law of Moses. “And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” - Luke 2:21-24.

Our Lord Jesus was not born into sin, therefore, He did not need that mortification of a corrupt nature, or that renewal unto holiness, which was signified by circumcision. This ordinance was, in His case, a pledge of His future perfect obedience to the whole law, in the midst of sufferings and temptations, even unto death for us. At the end of forty days, Mary went up to the temple to offer the appointed sacrifices for her purification. Joseph also presented the holy child Jesus, because, as a first-born son, he was to be presented to the Lord, and redeemed according to the law. Everything that Mary and Joseph did in raising Jesus was according to the law, they did not altar it in any way. We should never altar God's laws in any way and while we are no longer subject to these laws, we are still to present our children as well as ourselves holy before God. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” - I Peter 1:13-16.

All males among the Hebrews were required to appear three times a year before God, to attend on the ordinances of religion in the temple. It was their constant practice to attend there, according to the law, though it was a long journey, and they were poor. When Jesus was twelve we learn of His subjection to His earthly parents. “And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it...And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.” -Luke 2:42-51.

It had been three days since they had left for home, and Joseph and Mary had gone all over Jerusalem looking for Jesus. When they finally got to the Temple, there He was sitting in the midst of the doctors, the scholars of the time, listening and asking Him questions. Although Jesus knew His true home was the church and that His Father was God, He lived in subjection to Mary and Joseph. While those who are saved know their home is in heaven we are to still live in subjection to God's laws if we want a pleasant life here on earth. “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” - I Peter 2:15,16.

We may not like to live by rules, but it is the rules that keep us out of danger, it is the rules that keep us from suffering more than we have to. Jesus came here as an ordinary man to show the world that no one is above the law, we all live in subjection to someone. And let me tell you, living is subjection to God is much easier and less painful than living in subjection to worldly people who only desire to get you to live in their immorality and corruption. “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,” -II Corinthians 6:1-4.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, I want to walk in the wisdom of Your Holy Word as I make choices today, You have given me the freedom to choose, but You also have given me the wisdom and insight to know that the weight of those decisions bring about good or bad. May my actions not be based on man’s changing words or the standards of my brothers and sisters, for I know we are frail and subject to corrupt thinking. I want the standards of the unchanging, living Holy Word to be an anchor for my soul judging the thoughts and attitudes of my heart so that I will stay the course for which You have called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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