Warriors Arise: June 14, 2023
Matthew 2:23 - 3:2 (NKJV) And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” 1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
I have wondered if Jesus knew who He was. Did God tell Jesus or send an angel to tell Him who He was? Did Mary tell Him? Did Joseph tell Him? "Jesus we are harder on you because you have to be perfect? Jesus, you can't go play with the others, because you have to study the Torah and the prophets. You need to know everything written in the Old Testament." He might have responded to Joseph, "Father, I was watching every event that happened on earth when I was in haven with God, but I will do as you say." Seriously, I would want to ask some questions about things that happened in the Old Testament. I would also want to know if Jesus had selected me as His parent or if God made the decision. I would want to know why He chose me. He was there in heaven. He would have heard God tell the angel to go to Mary.
There is a time gap between chapter two and three. Jesus was in Nazareth before he turned 12; because in the Gospel of Luke, we read He was in Jerusalem for the passover when He was 12. For twenty years or more, Jesus has been submitted to His parents and not stepped into His purpose for which He was sent from heaven. Knowing what He could do for the people, it must have been so difficult to wait until the right time, God's time. From the time they arrived back in Israel, He must have waited approximately 20 years or more before His mother approached Him about working a miracle.
Twenty years is a long time to wait for God to call upon You to begin to live out Your purpose. Jesus was obedient. He did not start His ministry, until His mother, who didn't even ask, told and expected Him to know what to do. It does make me think Jesus had been doing miracles. He just wasn't doing them in front of people. Mary had to know He could do this or she would have never told Him. We do not read in Scripture of God telling her to go to Jesus and perform the miracle. But now, it was time to go public. The waiting was over. Mary might not have known how quickly things would progress, but she did know who He was and what He was called to do. Mary and Joseph had protected Jesus for so long, but the time had come for Jesus to step into His purpose for being here on earth.
Maybe you have known what God has called you to do, but you have been in a waiting room. You have wondered when God will call you to begin. You wonder when the door will open. You wonder who will be on the other side, ready to go with you. You have played it over and over in your head. You know exactly what it looks like and then again, it has played differently every time. You have wondered so long that you think it might have just been a fanciful dream, but then God steps in, opens the door and tells you to step into what He has called you to do. It can almost seem unreal. The waiting was so long, you wonder if you are ready. You wonder if you heard correctly. You second guess going, because you have become accustom to what you are currently doing. But deep within your heart, you know God has opened the door and you are to walk through.
Father, I ask for You to come and minister to each one who knows the calling You have on their lives. I pray you would speak encouragement to those who are waiting, longing for when they will be activated in their purpose. I pray you will give them courage to hear Your voice and step through the door You have opened for them. I pray you would empower them to walk every step with You, receive wisdom from You, and release Your kingdom in what You have for them to do. You know the perfect timing. We listen for Your voice and we will rise and walk through the door You open in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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