Our church service Sunday was really nice. Our pastor gave a really good sermon, and we sung Christmas hymns, and visitors came who brought gifts and gave of themselves in service, song and fellowship. Four people joined our church today, and God’s love showered us all with a refreshing awareness of God’s glorious Son, Jesus.

Our pastor brought some things to our attention that I’d like to share. I’m not sure how significant they’ll be to you, but they’re food for thought.

The first thing he mentioned was that John the Baptist was conceived six months before Jesus was, (which is recorded in Luke 1) and so initially, when Mary was impregnated by the Holy Spirit and she went to visit Elisabeth, John the Baptist was in the water of the womb, within Elisabeth. So, Jesus being within Mary (the holy seed of the Holy Spirit of God), was first introduced (while in the womb) to John the Baptist (in the womb). And the babe within Elisabeth “leaped in her womb” at the sound of Mary’s voice, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately knew Mary was the mother of our Savior, Jesus.

Luke 1: “41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

The next time Jesus ran into John the Baptist, he was again in water, baptizing people, and Jesus told John he had to baptize Him to fulfill righteousness.

Matthew 3:“13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him.

14But John protested strenuously, having in mind to prevent Him, saying, It is I who have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?

15But Jesus replied to him, Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for [both of] us to fulfill all righteousness [that is, to perform completely whatever is right]. Then he permitted Him.

16And when Jesus was baptized, He went up at once out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him.

17And behold, a voice from heaven said, This is My Son, My Beloved, in Whom I delight!”

Jesus was 30 years of age when He was baptized. So 30 years elapsed between the first time they met in the womb, and the time He was baptized, and that’s 3 decades (three sets of ten). There is a significance to the number 10 in the book of Revelations (10 kingdoms), and the fact that there are 3 sets of ten could be even more important.

Jesus was born in a borrowed barn, (a borrowed feed manger), and He was buried in a borrowed grave. He arose 3 days after His death, and He walked the earth for 40 days after that, revealing Himself to at least 500 people.

When He was baptized, He immediately was led to the wilderness where He was tempted for 40 days. When He arose, He was not tempted, but victoriously walked and talked, ate and drank, and spoke to people for 40 days. Then He left the earth on a cloud.

He is alive, and He is powerful. He is alive for you and me. You can know Him, and He is available to all who will receive Him. His birth and death were prophesied, and His return has been prophesied, and He will fulfill all things prophesied.

I have to tell you that He has changed me and also my entire life. The changes He makes are both within and without. He allows me to learn what is most important and what I can live without. My goals are not the same; I don’t strive for perfection in everything. He causes other people’s circumstances to merge with mine, which brings about many “mini miracles” every day for me, my spouse and our children.

Jesus blesses our entire family with favor, and causes bad circumstances to bring about good outcomes.

If you haven’t met Jesus, you don’t understand what I’m trying to share with you. I’m not just talking, and I’m not just writing. I’m not trying to impress you, or just typing to put something in the paper. I’m trying to tell you how wonderful our creator Jesus is, and how He has always existed, and how good He is, so you will know Him, too. I hope you know Him. I hope you have begun reading about Him in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. And I hope you have read Revelations, too.

Revelation 1:“1The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”