The Pharisees Are Thieves!

By Mary Vee
John 9 

Peter

The hill where shepherds watched their sheep
overlooking Bethlehem.
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter, I am a disciple of Jesus. 

The Pharisees persistently tried to find ways to prove Jesus wrong. They followed him nearly everywhere he went, asking him questions before the crowds and hoping to steer the people away from him. Today was no exception.

Jesus had healed the man born blind. This turned into a long ordeal. I'm not saying it took Jesus a long time to heal the man, he, of course, did that in an instant. But afterward, the Pharisees followed the man born blind, conducting an investigation, looking for ways to disprove Jesus' words and actions. You can read what happened before this moment in the last post.

Jesus is currently speaking with the man who was blind. Outside the temple. Even here the Pharisees looked to cause a disruption.

Jesus had just said He left Heaven to help the blind see, and make those who pretend they see-blind. 

The Pharisees said, "Does that mean you're calling us blind?"

The hill overlooking Bethlehem
where shepherds watched over their sheep by night.
Photo by Mary Vee

They knew he was.

Jesus said, "If you were really blind, you would be blameless, but since you claim to see everything so well, you are held accountable for every fault and failure you do.

"For example, if a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, he is up to no good. He is a sheep rustler. The true shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice.

"He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out then shows them the way to find food and water. They follow because they trust his voice. The same sheep, though, will scatter across the countryside if a stranger calls to them. They will wander here and there not knowing where to go."

From the looks on the Pharisees' faces, they didn't understand what Jesus was talking about. 

I wasn't surprised when Jesus offered to give another explanation, even to these Pharisee who only wanted to harm him.

"Then I will tell you the meaning," said Jesus. "I am the gate for the sheep. Everyone else is up to no good, they are sheep stealers. The sheep won't listen to the thieves. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for. They will freely go in and out and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal, kill, and destroy. I came to give the sheep real and eternal life, a more and better life than they ever dreamed of having. 

"I am the Good Shepherd."

Jesus is going to explain what he means by the Good Shepherd. Stop by next week to see what he says. 

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

The Search for A Special King

By Mary Vee
Matthew 2

From Luke's Notes

Photo Courtesy

My name in Herod. I am king in Jerusalem. The story I am about to tell you stirs my anger.

I woke to a nice day. The sun had been shining and there weren't any major issues to attend. A servant came to my chambers and announced visitors who were not from this area. They had requested to speak with me. I was curious so I invited them to my chambers.

The servant led the men in. They wore different clothes that we did, their manners were different, and they spoke a different language. I approved them to enter and offered them a place to sit. "Bring our guests something to drink." I ordered my servant.

The men sat. Dust and sand coated their clothes. They must have traveled a long ways. "So, tell me what brings you here."

"We are learned men who have studied the stars. We have discovered that a new king has been born and have come from the east to worship him."

A new king? What were these men talking about. And how is it that they learned this information by looking at the stars? I didn't understand any of it. "I will ask my advisors and find an answer for you. Please go with my servants. They will make you comfortable."

Once the men left, I called for my advisors. This baby king must be found and killed. But, I must be crafty about it to learn the details. The advisors assembled in the room. I told them about the visitors and their question.

At first the advisors were uncertain. They spoke among themselves and asked each other questions. 

"Sire," the eldest said. "This baby king was born in Bethlehem of Judea. It is written by the prophet: And you Bethlehem, land of Judah are in no wise least among the princes of Judah. For out of you will come forth a governor which shall be shepherd of my people Israel."

Really? I am to be replaced? I don't think so. I sent the advisors away and called for the wisemen to return. "I have an answer for you. My advisors tell me that such a baby has been born in Bethlehem. Go there."

The men stood. But I couldn't let them leave until I learned the details. "Wait. When you find this king, come back and tell me where he is so I may go and worship him also."

The wisemen bowed and left.

I will find this king. And I will have him killed. 

I will not be replaced that easily.


Come back for the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

We Searched for The Baby in the Manger

By Mary Vee
Luke 2

From Luke's Notes of the Shepherds

Photo courtesy

The most amazing visitor came to our camp a short time ago. I am a shepherd and several other men work with me.

Not far from Bethlehem, we finished our day's work. We corralled the sheep and sat around talking. Sometimes we sang. We didn't carry a tune well, but the sheep liked it.

The stars were really bright and the sky black. Once the night fire blazed an amazing visitor arrived. It was an angel!

I told the story of what the angel said to us last time, you can scroll down and read what happened. I will never forget this visitor.

Anyway, I am walking, a bit out of breath while telling you this story. The other shepherds and I are walking down a hill. No I'm not out of shape. I'm out of breath because of my excitement. The angel told us to visit a very special person.

The angel said a baby had been born tonight. There might have been more than one baby born this evening but not many in Bethlehem. That will narrow the search. The angel also said the baby had been wrapped in swaddling clothes and was laying in a manger. 

Any baby born tonight will be in swaddling clothes. That is a cloth wrapped around the baby to make if feel secure and keep it warm. 

The big clue will be the manger. Babies are usually born at home, in a house. The only way this baby was in a manger would be if the mother was not at home. So she is one of the travelers for the census.

Second this traveling mother would have had her baby in an inn had they arrived in time to get a room. So the next clue is she is someone who arrived this evening. Now we should be able to find this very special baby.

You might wonder, why would a group of shepherds leave the comforts of the open air, on a hill, and walk into the craziness that goes on in the city? All my life I'd heard about the Messiah that would come some day. I and my brothers have looked forward to that day. The the angel said this newborn baby was not just any baby. This baby is the Messiah, Christ, the Lord.

Once the angels left us, the other shepherds and I said to each other, "Let's go down to Bethlehem and see the baby which the Lord told us about."

We hurried through the streets, knocking on every inn along the way asking, "Was a baby born here tonight?" The innkeepers thought we were crazy and they wrinkled up their noses saying we smelled. Okay, so we were shepherds, we couldn't help it.

Finally, one innkeeper answered, "A man and wife arrived a little bit ago. The woman was in labor. I sent them to the stables. You can find them there."

We hurried around the back to a cave-like stable. Hardly a place to give birth. There in the trough, where the animals eat, was a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. The mother and father looked at us. "An angel came appeared a little while ago and told us a baby had been born in the city of David. The baby is the Savior. He is Christ the Lord. The angel said we could find him wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger." 

We knelt at the manger and praised God. The mother said her name was Mary and the father said his name was Joseph. To think, I was looking at the Messiah. We spoke softly like we do to our sheep, so not to wake the little one.

After our visit we hurried through the streets telling everyone what we had seen and heard that night. The angel who visited us on the hill. The angel's message. The thousands of angels who came and sang praises to God. The baby who is Christ the Lord.

I and the other shepherds returned to the sheep singing, laughing, and praising God for all the things we had heard and seen. 

The sheep were safe and all there.

Everything was just as the angel said it would be. 

And my heart is racing for joy.

The Messiah is here.

Come back for the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

It Was A Dark and Clear Night. One We'd Never Forget

By Mary Vee
Luke 2

From Luke's Notes

Photo Courtesy

Not far from Bethlehem, I and my shepherd friends finished our day's work. We corralled the sheep and sat around talking. Sometimes we sang. We didn't carry a tune well, but the sheep like it.

The stars were really bright that night. I remember noticing one in particular. 

We built a fire to keep warm and to keep the wild animals away from the sheep. Usually we took turns keeping watch at night, but it wasn't late enough to go to sleep. 

I took a few steps away from the fire and looked at the city below. It was Bethlehem. I didn't understand how people could live in cities when they could sleep under the stars.

I walked back to the fire and sat with the other shepherds. 

Suddenly a bright light appeared in the sky. It was a bright glowing light. I didn't know what it was. My friends and I stumbled back in fright. We fell over each other not knowing what to do. It took me a moment to realize this glow I saw was the figure of an angel. "Don't be afraid," the angel said. "I have good news that will bring great joy for all people."

None of us had ever seen an angel before. We huddled together, trying to understand what was happening. 

The angel said, "Today in the city of David, a Savior has been born. He is the Christ, the Lord. This is the sign you will need to look for: There is a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

We had barely handled the one angel talking to us when the whole sky lit up. Thousands of angels appeared in the sky singing. I listened closer. They were singing praises to God. 

"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth, peace to men in whom he is well pleased."

My breath caught in my chest. This was a night I would never, ever, ever forget. The singing was like a perfect choir. Harmony. Melody. Masterful singing. The voices rang, echoing on the hillside. 

Never, in all my life did I imagine I would see an angel much less hear thousands singing praises to God.

Well, I won't be sleeping tonight. We have a special baby to visit.

Come back for the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

The Seventy Mile Hike

By Mary Vee
Matthew  1
Luke 2

From Luke's Notes

Photo Courtesy

My name is Joseph. I live in Nazareth with my wife, Mary. She is due to have the child God has given her child soon.

Notices were posted all over our city of Nazareth announcing a new decree from Caesar Augustus. Every person in the whole Roman empire is to go to the city of their heritage and be counted. I am of the family of David, which means Mary and I must travel to Bethlehem.

We live in the north by the Sea of Galilee. Bethlehem is in the south of Israel. I wouldn't have thought much of the journey except there are mountains between us, and like I said, Mary is going to have her baby soon. 

We didn't have a choice. Everyone had to go. 

We packed only what we absolutely needed and I placed Mary on our donkey. I also made sure we traveled with others, in case Mary needed help. We had seventy miles to walk. 

Think of walking seventy miles through mountain trails with a woman who was about to have a baby. I was concerned. I mean, I knew God would protect us. I just wished we had more notice, more time, could have waited for the baby to be born then go. 

We walked during the day. I tried to make Mary as comfortable as possible at night. Others walked on ahead of us. We couldn't keep up. The longer we traveled, the closer the time came for the baby to be born.

One afternoon, I saw Bethlehem in the distance. "We haven't far to go, Mary."

She smiled, but I knew she was uncomfortable. We couldn't go any faster because of her condition. 

Around supper time we arrived in Bethlehem. The city was crowded. So many people arrived ahead of us. I knocked on several Inn doors and was told by the innkeeper, "Sorry. We have no more room."

We walked to the next inn. I knocked just as Mary cried out. "The baby is coming!" 

The innkeeper, said, I'm sorry. We have no room."

There had to be some place. "Please, sir. My wife is going to have a baby. There must be someplace she could lie down."

He sighed. "There is a stable out back. You can go there. It's the best I have."

Photo Courtesy

I didn't like the idea, but he was right. It was better than nothing. "Thank you."

I pulled the donkey to the stable and helped Mary down. She hobbled into a cave where animals were kept. "Here is a nice spot." I stacked the hay to make a soft bed for her.

In time the baby was born. She wrapped him in a cloth. She handled the birth so well. 

She looked at the little one resting in her arms. "His name is Jesus, you know."

"Yes. The angel said we are to call him Jesus, so we will."







Come back for the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org