Eyewitness to Easter: Pilate, Crucified Jesus
“So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.” {Luke 23:4} Pilate decided to give in to their demand, as a riot was beginning. “So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather…
Eyewitness to Easter: Herod Antipas Kills John the Baptist
Herod the Great has died and his son Herod Antipas has become tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea. John the Baptist has come from the wilderness and been teaching. Eventually he is arrested and imprisoned. “Finally…
Eyewitness to Christmas: King Herod Dies
King Herod was a cruel and mean man, slaughtering many, included all the male children under the age of two. “After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said,…
Eyewitness to Christmas: Herod Killed the Young Children
Herod is waiting for the Magi to return and tell him where to find the Messiah. “When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to…
Biblical 12 days of Christmas
1. On the first day of Christmas an Angel appears to Mary with the most unexpected news of all {Luke 1:26-38} 2. On the second day of Christmas Mary travels to visit Elizabeth and the babe…
Eyewitness to Christmas: Joseph is Warned of Herod’s Treachery
King Herod sent the Magi to Bethlehem to find the Messiah. He makes them promise to return to him and let him know where to find the child, as he wants to worship the child.…
Eyewitness to Christmas: Herod Meets the Wise Men
The Magi are waiting to meet Herod, while he consuls the chief priest and teachers regarding the prophecy of the Messiah. “ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time…
Eyewitness to Christmas: Herod Seeks the Prophecies
Last week, we took a look at Herod calling the chief priest and teachers to tell him what the scriptures said about the birth of the Messiah. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is…
Eyewitness to Christmas: King Herod was Troubled
We’ve had an eyewitness to Christmas the last few years as we look at the Christmas story from the perspectives of Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds and the Wise Men. This year we wrap…
Eyewitness to the Crucifixion: Judas, Betrays with a Kiss
Last time, we discussed how Satan entered Judas and he left to hand Jesus over to the high priest. Jesus and the disciples have gone to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus is praying. He…
Eyewitness to Christmas: The Wise Men Returns Home
The Wise Men have worshiped at the feet of the Christ child or baby Jesus. They then bestow three gifts to him of gold, frankincense and myrrh. When they leave, they probably planned to head…
Eyewitness to Christmas: The Wise Men Worship the Christ Child
After a long journey, the wise men have finally arrived at their destination. Can you imagine the commotion as they ride up and tie their camels to the hitching posts? “We may well imagine their…
Eyewitness to Christmas: The Wise Men Follow the Star
The Wise Men have met with King Herod and been sent on their way to Bethlehem, where prophecy foretold of the Christ child’s birth. The journey to Bethlehem was only six or seven miles from…
Eyewitness to Christmas: Wise Men Secret Meeting With King Herod
Last time, we discussed the Wise Men’s query about the newborn. King Herod receives word of their arrival and is nervous. Matthew Henry says, “Herod was now an old man, and had reigned thirty-five years;…
Eyewitness to Christmas: Wise Men Remind of The Prophecy Foretold
Last time, we talked about the Wise Men journey to find the newborn, King of the Jews. They did not question, but believed. They expect to find everyone worshipping this child, but arrive to discover…
Eyewitness to Christmas: Wise Men Follow a Star
Last time, we took a look at who the wise men were. Matthew does not tell us how many wise men there were or their names. However, Armenian tradition identifies the “Magi of Bethlehem” as…
Eyewitness to Christmas: Who Were the Wise Men
In the past years, we have studied the eyewitness to Christmas from the viewpoint of the Virgin Mary, Elizabeth and Zacharias, Joseph, and the angels. This year, we are going to journey with the Wise…
The Angels view of Christmas: Provided Warnings
Time has passed and Jesus is probably a young toddler by this point. The Wise Men come to visit Mary, Joseph and Jesus, but with them arrives a threat from King Herod. Herod is afraid…
The Angels view of Christmas: Named by God
Last week, we spent with the shepherds who had first one angel and then a host of angels appear to them. The shepherds then made their way to Bethlehem to see the child they were…
The Angels view of Christmas: Glory to God in Heaven
Last week, we joined the shepherds who were frightened when an angel appeared to them. But, the angel brought good news that the Messiah had been born in Bethlehem and he could be found wrapped…