Jesus says more about the ways of God. In fact, scripture say the ways of God the father is unsearchable. Romans 11: 33. Some go on to say the method and plans are mysterious. As we enter this festive season, we ought to remember why he came to show us the way.
Jesus preceding his coming spoke in Isaiah that he sent is messenger to go before him. Isaiah 40:3 why did he send a messenger to go before him? TO PREPARE THE WAY. Jesus says, ” I AM THE WAY, TRUTH AND LIFE “. The way to the father is Jesus, the ways of God the father will always be unsearchable. It is only by walking in the way of Christ we find the path to God. The wise men followed the stars to find their way to Jesus, when he was born. Not all ways lead to God except in Christ. I love what Genesis 28: 20 – 22 says “Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this WAY that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, 21 so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. 22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a [a]tenth to You.”
Jesus came to be God with us (Emmanuel), to show us the way and the stone the builder rejected. Yet he is the foundation and pillar of our faith. It is when we realize God has been with us and has been showing us the way that he gives and we give.
The Old Testament speaks of the ways of God Genesis 13: 1 Lot and Abraham parted ways, God spoke to both lot and Abraham, yet they parted ways, it tells me one can be in a relationship with God and yet not walk in the way of God. Deut. 5:33 to keep the commands of YHWH in his ways. So, YHWH ways are bounded by his commands, and his command is bounded by his love for us. Hence, Jesus says if you love me keep my commands. Deut 10: 12, Deut 11: 12, to love YHWH and walk in ALL his ways. Deut 19: 9, 26: 17, 28:7, 28:9; 25:29 to walk by faith in Christ is to obey YHWH Commands. Deut 28: 33, 30:16, Deut 32:4. All YHWH way is justice, a God truth and without injustice, righteous and upright is he. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. Psalm 145: 17. One way king Solomon he showed he was a righteous king was the way he brought justice to the two women who claimed a baby was theirs. He sought justice and I believe as a righteous person we ought to seek justice but never let it overwhelm us as in the case of Job, ultimately there is a greater judge who is more righteous than we will ever be. Judges 2: 22 he tests us to see whether we will keep the ways of YHWH to walk in them. Joshua 22:5, I Samuel 8:3 shows us ways we are not to walk in. I Samuel 1:5, 1 Samuel 18: 14 and to Daniel in all ways he behaved WISELY and YHWH was with him. 2 Samuel 22: 22 for I have kept the WAYS of YHWH and not departed wickedly from God, I kings 2: 3, I kings 3:14, I kings 8: 39, 8:58, 11:33, Isaiah 57: 10 that people can weary themselves in the greatness of their ways. Isaiah 57: 14 says in the path of John the Baptist, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out the way of people (that’s what JOHN came to do). Isaiah 57:17 says the forwardly goes in the way of his heart, God sees his ways, and he will heal him and lead him also and restore comfort unto him. When we repent as John preaches, he restores comfort to us. Truth is we all need repentance in one way or the other. King David one of my favorite bible characters says 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts24 and see if there be any wicked WAY in me and lead me in the WAY everlasting (truth). Psalm 139:23 – 24. The ways of God leads to truth and truth brings Justice (light), and justice brings peace. YHWH saith in Isaiah 55: 8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Sometimes it is good remember this that only by walking in the way of Christ which he came to show us can we be in the line of his will. As this festive season goes remember he came to show us the WAY, the way Jesus appeared was not the way we thought a savior would appear, he was fashioned as a mortal man for you and I, suffered on the cross for you and I, born in a manger for you and I to show us the way. Remember the light the magi followed that led them to Christ, is the light of the gospel of Christ Jesus that reflect in us to show us the way. Happy Holidays. I don’t have time these days.